Slender Dunlap, The Replacements Guitarist, Dies Elderly 73

Bob ‘Slender’ Dunlap, the Minnesota-born guitarist who rose to popularity as the overall guitarist for Minneapolis punk outfit The Replacements, has died on the age of 73.

In keeping with a file from The Minnesota Superstar Tribune, Dunlap gave up the ghost early within the afternoon on Wednesday (Dec. 18). His explanation for demise was once mentioned to be associated with the stroke he suffered in 2012 that now not most effective left him bedridden, however not able to play track anymore.

“Bob handed at house these days at 12:48 p.m. surrounded by way of circle of relatives,” a observation shared by way of his circle of relatives learn. “We performed him his Are living on the Turf Membership (Thank You Dancers!) CD, and he left us in a while after being attentive to his model of ‘Hillbilly Heaven’ — somewhat poignant. It was once a herbal decline during the last week. General it was once because of headaches from his stroke.”

Born in 1951, Dunlap started enjoying guitar at a tender age and rose to native consideration within the past due ’70s whilst acting with Curtiss A (aka Curt Almsted). Almsted later shaped the punk-influenced Spooks, which featured Dunlap on guitar and stuck the eye of The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg.

On the time, Westerberg were looking for a alternative for founding guitarist Bob Stinson, who was once ousted in 1986. Despite the fact that Dunlap first of all declined Westerberg’s be offering to enroll in the band, the verdict was once later reversed because of his admiration for Westerberg’s songwriting.

Adopting the identify ‘Slender’ to keep away from confusion with Stinson, Dunlap fittingly was referred to as “the alternative Substitute” by way of many lovers. He carried out with The Replacements from 1987 till their dissolution in 1991, showing on 1989’s Don’t Inform a Soul and 1990’s All Shook Down albums.

Following The Replacements’ break up, Dunlap introduced a solo occupation, liberating The Previous New Me in 1993 and Instances Like This in 1996, and remained lively within the native scene till his musical occupation got here to an result in 2012 following a stroke.

Plenty of artists, together with The Replacements, Steve Earle, The Cling Stable’s Craig Finn, Jakob Dylan, Frank Black, and Jeff Tweedy, all contributed to the 2013 Songs for Slender compilation to lift cash for his restoration.

Dunlap’s ultimate unlock, Thank You, Dancers!, was once launched in 2020 and featured recordings from a 2002 are living efficiency at St. Paul’s Turf Membership.