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Bob Stinson Biography

bob-stinson
  • Born: December 17, 1959
  • Years Active: 1980s-1990s
  • Member of: The Replacements
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

Guitarist Bob Stinson was one of the original members of one of the '80s most influential alt-rock bands, the Replacements, before an out of control lifestyle led to his dismissal in 1986. Born on December 17, 1959 and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Stinson looked up to such mainstream guitarists as Steve Howe, Johnny Winter, and Prince when he first picked up the instrument. But what came out of Stinson's guitar was the kind of reckless garage rock that would've led one to believe that he was a punk aficionado. Just before turning 20, Stinson formed the Replacements along with singer/guitarist Paul Westerberg, drummer Chris Mars, and his younger brother, Tommy Stinson, on bass. The other members shared the elder Stinson's fondness for overindulging in drinking and other substances, which reflected in the group's sloppy yet somehow charming style. From the early to mid '80s, the band built a substantial underground/college following, with such soon-to-be classic releases as 1981's Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash, 1983's Hootenanny, 1984's Let It Be, and 1985's Tim. Although Westerberg usually received the lion's share of attention as the frontman and group's chief songwriter, Stinson's unpredictable stage manner proved to be popular with fans, as he was known to perform in such unconventional fashion wear as skirts, trash bags, or nothing on at all. But shortly after the supporting tour for Tim wrapped up in 1986, Stinson's abuse of drink and drugs had spiraled dangerously out of control (which was no mean feat, especially when compared to his fellow hard partying bandmates). With Westerberg wanting to take a major musical leap forward on the Replacements' next release, Pleased to Meet Me, and Stinson offering some resistance (he believed that the group should stick to their garage/punk roots), the guitarist was ousted from the group. Little was heard from Stinson after his dismissal from the group, and on February 18, 1995, he was found dead in his Uptown Minneapolis apartment (it was originally believed to be a drug overdose, but other reports say it was just a matter of his body giving out after years of abuse), at the age of 35. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi

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