Bob Dunlap death: The Replacements guitarist dies, aged 73
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Musician joined the band after working as a janitor at a local music venue. Bob “Slim” Dunlap, guitarist for The Replacements, has died aged 73. The musician died following complications from a stroke he suffered in 2012. The news was confirmed in a statement.
![[Dunlap (far right) replaced Bob Stinson]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/19/17/Screenshot-2024-12-19-at-17.09.06.jpg)
“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.”. The American rock band formed a cult following after being founded in 1979. Originally made up of singer and guitarist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bass guitarist Tommy Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars for most of its run, the group released two punk rock albums before transitioning to alternative rock.
Singer-songwriter Dunlap replaced Bob Stinson as lead guitarist from 1987 to 1991, and was often dubbed the “replacement Replacement”. Stinson was kicked out of the group due to issues with drugs and alcohol. Dunlap was working as a janitor at First Avenue, a famous local Minneapolis venue, where the band had played some of their earliest shows. He was honoured with a mural outside the venue in recognition of his contribution to its history.
The musician was married to his wife Chrissie who he shared three children with at the time. But he was encouraged by his wife to accept the offer to join the band. Eventually, he launched his solo career although he is reported to have said, “I hate it, personally. I’d rather just play guitar and let the other guy lose all the money.”.
