Kevin Garcia, the founding bassist with acclaimed American indie band Grandaddy, has died after suffering a massive stroke. He was 41.
Garcia, who started Grandaddy with singer Jason Lytle and drummer Aaron Burtch aged 15, passed away in hospital in the band's hometown of Modesto, California on Tuesday, having been admitted the previous day.
"We were all able to say goodbye to him and he was surrounded by his closest friends and family here in Modesto," the band said in a statement.
"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," the statement continued.
"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."
Grandaddy have played Ireland many times over the years since the release of their 1997 debut album, Under the Great Western Freeway. The band split in 2006 but reunited in 2012 and played Dublin's Vicar Street last August. They released their new album, Last Place, in March.
Fans have been paying tribute and expressing their sympathies on social media:
Our love and thoughts are with the family of Kevin Garcia and of course his Grandaddy bandmates at this difficult time. X
— Coldplay (@coldplay) May 3, 2017
Kevin Garcia R.I.P too young, with so much more music to make. So shocked by this. #grandaddy
— Alex Ian (@AlexCheers1) May 3, 2017
Just heard that Kevin Garcia of Grandaddy has passed away, condolences to his friends and family pic.twitter.com/LTrQXETmxN
— Paul (@windowhanger) May 3, 2017
So very sad about Kevin Garcia from @Grandaddy taken too young. Rest in peace.
— Geoff Topley (@TeamHorse) May 3, 2017
Rest in Peace Kevin Garcia. Grandaddys 2nd record The sophtware slump changed my life when I was a kid. He will b missed.
— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) May 3, 2017
