Kevin Garcia – Grandaddy Bassist & Co-Founder Dies at 41

Kevin Garcia, the longtime bassist and co-founder of Grandaddy tragically passed away today at the age of 41. Garcia suffered a massive stroke May 1st and was in critical care at DMC. The doctors described his brain injury as “catastrophic” per his GoFundMe page, which also confirmed his death.

Garcia founded Grandaddy in 1992 along with keyboardist Jason Lytle and drummer Aaron Burtch. The band just released their much anticipated new album Last Place last month, their first since 2006’s Just Like The Fambly Cat. The band was set tour to the U.S. in support of Last Place this month, but no word on the show status has been announced as of yet.

The band posted the following on its Facebook page..

“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.”