The Replacements Guitarist Slim Dunlap Passes Away
Slim Dunlap died at his home from complications related to the “severe stroke” he had in February 2012.
Slim Dunlap with The Replacements (I'll Be You music video/YouTube)
Former The Replacements guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap has passed away, aged 73.
He died at his home on Wednesday (18 December) from complications related to the “severe stroke” he had in February 2012 that left him bedridden and barely able to speak.
Dunlap’s family sent a letter to the Minnesota Star Tribune, confirming that the guitarist was listening to his live album, the Slim Dunlap Band’s Live at the Turf Club (Thank You, Dancers!), at the time of his passing.
Slim Dunlap joined The Replacements in 1987, replacing the band’s original lead guitarist, Bob Stinson. He remained in the band until their disbandment in 1991.
Described as “one of the last old-school cool guitar players,” Dunlap was the “replacement Replacement” and featured on the band’s last two studio albums, 1989’s Don’t Tell A Soul and 1990’s All Shook Down.
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Lead singer Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson announced that The Replacements were back in 2012. The band actively toured with session guitarists and drummers (including Dave Minehan and Josh Freese) until 2015.
In 2013, following the announcement of The Replacements’ reunion, the band released the EP Songs For Slim and auctioned it online, with all proceeds from the release going to benefit Dunlap following his stroke.
The songs covered include one of Dunlap's own, Busted Up, Hank Williams' Lost Highway, Gordon Lightfoot's I'm Not Sayin', and Everything's Coming Up Roses from the Broadway musical Gypsy. The Music’s Dan Condon said the rendition of I’m Not Sayin’ was “damn good and has that rollicking spirit that we've always loved from the band.”
After the breakup of The Replacements, Slim Dunlap enjoyed a solo career and released three albums: The Old New Me, released in 1993; Times Like This, released in 1996; and Thank You, Dancers! in 2020.
Tommy Stinson took to Instagram following Dunlap’s passing. He wrote: “Happy Holidays to all, it is with heavy heart that i have to report the passing of another sweet, and important Bob in our world. Our brother Slim Dunlop [sic] has passed away, made more profoundly sad to happen the day after what would have been my natural brother Bob’s birthday.
“I use the words sweet and brother as they apply to both Bob’s! Slim was one of the sweetest humans I have known and was very much like a brother to me. Slim will be missed greatly. Peace and love me brother!”
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