Photo: Facebook
Kevin Garcia, bassist and a founder member of Grandaddy, has died after suffering a “massive stroke”. He was 41.
Confirming the news on Facebook, the band wrote: “There are no accurate words to express what we need to.
“We are absolutely shattered to say that we lost our friend and band mate Kevin Garcia early this afternoon. He succumbed to the effects of a massive stroke. We were all able to say goodbye to him and he was surrounded by his closest friends and family here in Modesto.
“Kevin started playing with Grandaddy when he was fifteen. He was an actual angel. He navigated life with a grace, a generosity and a kindness that was utterly unique. And contagious. He is loved so deeply by so many.
“Kevin was a proud father of two children, Jayden and Gavin. He is survived by his grandmother Joan, his parents Randy and Barbara (who let us practice at their house until 2001... and who are the best), his brothers Craig and Jeff and his wife Sondra.
“We'll have more to say in the days ahead. Right now the four of us are grieving together. With great sadness and love, Grandaddy.”
Garcia leaves behind his wife, two children, parents, grandmother and brothers. His band members have set up a GoFundMe page to help his family with their forthcoming expenses.
Grandaddy were formed in 1992 by singer/guitarist Jason Lytle, bassist Garcia and drummer Aaron Burtch. Their debut album, Under The Western Freeway, was released in 1997. Their 2000 album, The Sophtware Slump, is a widely regarded as a powerful and enduring end-of-the-millennium statement.
Two more albums followed – Sumday (2003) and Just Like The Fambly Cat – before calling it a day in 2006. They reunited in 2012 and released their new album, Last Place, last year.
