Bruce Free, the longtime singer-bassist of Flipper, has died at age 66. The San Francisco punk act has influenced numerous different bands, together with Nirvana, and even featured Krist Novoselic as their bassist for a short time.
A posting on the “Who Cares In any case SF” Instagram web page reads, “After a chronic wrestle with life, Bruce ‘Free’ Calderwood of Flipper handed away from an obvious coronary heart assault earlier this week on the age of 66.” His passing was additionally confirmed on Flipper’s official Fb web page.
After the band fashioned in 1979, Free nearly instantly changed unique singer Ricky Williams. He shared vocal and bass duties with Will Shatter, who died in 1987. Free remained with Flipper till 2015, when he determined to stroll away from the band. Within the years since, Jesus Lizard vocalist David Yow has fronted Flipper.
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Flipper had been a giant affect on Kurt Cobain, who wore a self-made Flipper T-shirt throughout Nirvana’s look on Saturday Night time Reside and within the video for “Come As You Are.”
Novoselic joined the band from 2006 via 2009, and so they typically carried out Nirvana’s ‘Scentless Apprentice,” which Flipper coated for a 2000 compilation.
Along with Nirvana, Flipper have influenced R.E.M., the Melvins, Jane’s Habit, and others.
Our condolences exit to Bruce Free’s household, pals, and bandmates throughout this troublesome time.