Bob "Slim" Dunlap, guitarist for The Replacements, died at age 73 at his Minneapolis home on Wednesday due to complications from a 2012 stroke. He passed away surrounded by family while listening to his own recording of "Hillbilly Heaven" from his "Live at the Turf Club" album.

Photo Credit: Bob "Slim" Dunlap by JCHaywire / CC by 2.0

Born in 1951 in Plainview, Minnesota, Dunlap joined The Replacements in 1987 following Bob Stinson's departure. He performed on the band's final two studio albums and was credited with reinvigorating the group during their later years.

After The Replacements disbanded in 1991, Dunlap toured with Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites and released solo material in 1993. His songwriting, influenced by Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, and vintage blues, earned high praise from Bruce Springsteen, who called his records "deeply touching and emotional" in a 2014 NPR interview.

Following his 2012 stroke, Dunlap received support through all-star fundraising tribute recordings and was cared for by his wife Chrissie at their Minneapolis home. Despite limited mobility and speech, he continued to receive regular visits from musicians who would perform for him until his passing.

His family's statement noted that his death came after a natural decline over the past week, ultimately resulting from complications related to his stroke. Dunlap leaves behind a legacy as both a talented guitarist and a respected songwriter whose work influenced numerous artists in the industry.

Related Articles

Previous Articles