The Replacements‘ Bob “Slim” Dunlap‘s recent death has shocked the music world. Dunlap has received high praise from fellow musicians and critics for his distinctive style of guitar playing. Many fans are now curious to know the details surrounding the musician’s demise.
Here is everything we have uncovered on Slim Dunlap’s death.
Slim Dunlap passes away at 73, claims report
Slim Dunlap died at his home on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the age of 73. The cause of his death has been attributed to “complications” from a stroke he suffered way back in 2012. This stroke left him bedridden and only capable of limited speech. His demise was confirmed by his family via a note obtained by The Minnesota Star Tribune.
“Bob passed at home today at 12:48 p.m. surrounded by family,” the note read. “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.”
Dunlap was born in August 14, 1951 and spent his early life in Planview in Southeastern Minnesota, a district his father Robert Dunlap represented via the Minnesota State Senate between 1953-66.
Dunlap joined The Replacements as their lead guitarist in 1987, replacing the band’s original guitarist Bob Stinson. The Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg gave him the “Slim” nickname not only to differentiate him from Stinson, but also because of his appearance.
Dunlap went on to feature in The Replacements’s two final albums, Don’t Tell a Soul and All Shook Down. After The Replacements’ disbandment in 1991. Dunlap launched a solo music career, which saw the release of 1993’s The Old New Me and Times Like This in 1996. He also put out a live album in 2020, titled Thank You Dancers!
Dunlap’s work influenced fellow musicians like Bruce Springsteen, who praised Dunlap in a 2014 NPR interview. “I hope I get a chance to cut one of his songs because he’s, it’s just, this stuff, check out the two Slim Dunlap records because they’re just so beautiful, they’re just beautiful rock ‘n’ roll records,” the “Born in the U.S.A.” singer said. “I found them to be deeply touching and emotional.”
