Bob “Slim” Dunlap passes away
Bob “Slim” Dunlap, the guitarist for The Replacements, has passed away at the age of 73.
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Details of his life and career
According to Minnesota Star Tribune, Dunlap died at his residence in Minneapolis on Wednesday. He had suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012 and had not been well since. His family confirmed the news to MST: “Bob passed away at home at 12:48 pm today surrounded by family. We played him his Live at the Turf Club CD, and he left us shortly after listening to his poignant version of Hillbilly Heaven. This was a natural decline over the past week, primarily due to complications from the stroke.”
Slim Dunlap began his musical journey in the early 1970s, performing with various bands in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, including Curtis Almstead’s Spooks. While playing with the Ghosts, Dunlap caught the eye of Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, who was in search of a guitarist to take over after Bob Stinton, the former guitarist, had left due to substance abuse issues.
Legacy following his career
Dunlap became a member of The Replacements in 1987, shortly after they finished recording the album Pleased To Meet Me. He stayed with the band until their breakup in 1991, contributing to their last two albums, “Don’t Tell A Soul” from 1989 and “All Shook Down” from 1990.
After The Replacements disbanded, Slim Dunlap released his debut solo album, The Old New Me, in 1993, followed by Times Like This in 1996. In 2002, he recorded a live album, “Live at the Turf Club (Thank You Dancers!),” at the Turf Club in St. Paul, which was subsequently released in 2020.
Dunlap remained active in the Minnesota music scene until his severe stroke in 2012 that left him nearly paralyzed. Following the news of his illness, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson of The Replacements reunited to create an EP to assist in raising funds for Dunlap’s medical expenses.
The Replacements were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, though they did not achieve the honor.
Dunlap was bedridden after his stroke, and fans began purchasing musician memorabilia from his family last year to help cover his medical costs.
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