Guitarist for iconic 1980s alternative band has died

At the age of 73, guitarist Bob Slim Dunlap of the legendary band the Replacements from the 1980s passed away.

According to a family statement sent to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper, Dunlap passed away on Wednesday due to complications from a stroke he had in 2012.

Dunlap was bedridden and speechless after the stroke.

Tommy Stinson, Slim Dunlap, Paul Westerberg, and Chris Mars are members of the rock group the Replacements. Dunlap passed away at age 73.Advance file image

At 12:48 p.m. today, Bob died away at home while surrounded by his loved ones. He left us shortly after hearing his moving rendition of “Hillbilly Heaven” from his Live at the Turf Club (Thank You Dancers!) CD. Over the previous week, there has been a natural drop. In the end, his stroke’s complications were to blame.

A well-liked member of the Minneapolis music community, Journeyman guitarist Dunlap joined the Replacements in 1987 when Bob Stinson, the band’s original guitarist, was fired. After the band’s 1987 album, Pleased to Meet Me, Dunlap went on tour with them.

Dunlap toured with the band and recorded two albums, Don’t Tell a Soul and All Shook Down, alongside members Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson, and Chris Mars.

In 1991, the group disbanded.

Dunlap was unable to participate in the group’s Back by Unpopular Demand reunion tour, which took place from 2013 to 2015, due to his crippled state after his stroke. However, the band’s lead singer and lyricist, Westerberg, claimed that the Dunlap had approved the tour.

Dunlap is credited with bringing the boisterous Replacements back to life, especially with their 1989 album Don’t Tell a Soul.

Matt Wallace, the producer of Don’t Tell a Soul, told the Star Tribune that Slim offered a pleasant counterbalance to [the other members’] bluster. He was softer and highlighted a more subdued aspect of these tunes, which was much needed.

Over the years, Dunlap performed with a variety of bands in and out of Minneapolis. Following his tenure with the Replacements, he put out two solo albums, The Old New Me and Times Like This, the latter of which received accolades from Bruce Springsteen.

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