Iconic 80s pop star dies after listening to own song in 'poignant' farewell
Guitarist and songwriter for the band Replacements, Bob “Slim” Dunlap tragically died on Wednesday at the age of 73, after ‘complications from a stroke’. The Rockstar suffered a stroke 12 years ago, in 2012, however, created years of health complications for the star.
Minneapolis Star Tribune published a message from the guitarist's family on Wednesday, December 18 confirming the star’s death. In the heartfelt message, the family revealed they played his Live at The Turf Club CD during his final moments, as he passed shortly after listening to one of his tracks. The statement read: “Bob passed at home today at 12:48 p.m. surrounded by family. We played him his ‘Live at the Turf Club (’Thank You Dancers!)’ CD, and he left us shortly after listening to his version of ‘Hillbilly Heaven’ — quite poignant.”
“It was a natural decline over the past week. Overall it was due to complications from his stroke,” the statement concluded.
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Slim joined the band after replacing Bob Stinson was kicked out of the band in 1987 owing to issues with drugs and alcohol. When he first joined, he was asked to go by the name Slim, rather than Bob, by leading man Paul Westerberg to avoid any confusion. Slim played on the band’s final two albums, Don’t Tell a Soul from 1989, and All Shook Down from 1991.
The star was born in 1951 in Plainview, Minnesota and was a lifelong rock and roll fan. Before his stint in cult Minneapolis band the Replacements, Bob joined the band Thumbs Up and offshoot Spooks in 1976.
He later went on to release solo albums The Old New Me, in 1993, and Times Like This in 1996. Celebrity fans of the star included Bruce Springsteen, who described the records as “deeply touching and emotional”.
During the last decade of his life, Bob’s stroke left him paralysed, bringing an end to his music career. The Replacements toured in 2014, without Bob, who had given them his blessing to continue.
As the tragic news of his passing breaks, fans have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter to pay tribute. “Spinning these tonight and marking the sad passing of Slim Dunlap. Taking over from Bob Stinson was a hard ask, both musically and having to enter the mad world of The Mats. Yet Slim did both with ease because he was not only a hell of a guitar player, but also a unique, interesting character. No wonder when Tom Waits met the band it was Slim he was drawn to, a character straight from one of his songs. The replacement Replacement with a big heart who helped shape a whole new sound for the band. R.I.P Slim. Thanks for the music,” wrote one.
