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Slim Dunlap of the Replacements dies at 73

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Slim Dunlap of the Replacements dies at 73

As a long-time devotee of the rock scene, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia upon hearing about Bob “Slim” Dunlap’s passing. Having grown up during the heyday of the Replacements, their raw energy and unapologetic sound were an integral part of my musical education.

73-year-old Bob “Slim” Dunlap, who took on the role of lead guitarist for the Replacements in the late 1980s following the dismissal of founding member Bob Stinson, passed away at his Minneapolis residence on Wednesday.

News of his passing was shared with the Minnesota Star Tribune by his family, who stated that it was due to complications arising from a stroke he experienced in 2012.

Known as “Slim” by Paul Westerberg of The Replacements to distinguish him from the one he was replacing, the lanky Dunlap played guitar on their last two studio albums – “Don’t Tell a Soul” (1989) and its successor “All Shook Down” (1990). “Don’t Tell a Soul” produced a No. 1 alternative-rock radio hit with the rhythmic “I’ll Be You,” while “All Shook Down” was nominated for a Grammy in the category of alternative music performance. Dunlap’s playing style brought out the country influences in Westerberg’s songwriting, as evident in the twangy track “Achin’ to Be.

In an interview for his 2015 biography titled “Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements,” Westerberg expressed that he desired a musician with a bluesier vibe who was well-versed in country music, as he saw the band’s direction heading towards that genre.

Born in 1951, Dunlap, who is the son of a Minnesota state senator, spent his childhood in Plainview, a farming community located in the southeastern part of the state. His elder sisters introduced him to rock ‘n’ roll music, and in his late teenage years, he relocated to Minneapolis with the ambition to pursue a career in music.

Slim Dunlap of the Replacements dies at 73 ×

In 1993, just after the Replacements disbanded and he started his solo career, Dunlap shared with The Times that he had played in every small band willing to take him on. Over time, he earned a reputation as a versatile musician, performing bluegrass one night at a little pizza shop, then switching to hard rock the next.

Apart from his career as a musician, Dunlap held jobs as a taxi driver and cleaner at Minneapolis’ iconic First Avenue nightclub, where the Replacements gained notoriety during their wildly energetic rise. It was here that he met his wife, Chrissie, who managed talent bookings for the club. In 1987, the Replacements dismissed Stinson, their drummer and co-founder, due to his alcohol and drug issues (Stinson passed away in 1995 at age 35).

Back in 1987, I found myself auditioning for the Replacements, and let me tell you, it was a day filled with cold beers. As Spin magazine put it, I became more of a fourth member than just a hired gun. Paul Westerberg himself said that I blended in so well with the band, we initially intended to recruit a hotshot guitarist and call ourselves the Replacements and Joe Blow. However, things turned out differently; now, it’s like the Replacements have a new member who isn’t an exceptional guitar player or singer, just as we aren’t masters of our respective crafts, but I fit in seamlessly. And so, here I am, hitting the road with the band for their 1987 tour behind “Pleased to Meet Me.

Slim Dunlap of the Replacements dies at 73

Music

A fresh biography about an 81-year-old musician, who is both a songwriter and composer, has been penned by ex-Times pop music critic, Robert Hilburn.

Following the breakup of The Replacements, Dunlap embarked on tours with Dan Baird from Georgia Satellites and released a couple of solo albums. These albums earned praise from artists like Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle, among others. His debut LP, “The Old New Me” (1993), included a track titled “The Ballad of the Opening Band,” inspired by his experiences playing in clubs anonymously before he was selected for The Replacements, a phase of his career he grinded through relentlessly.

The scene depicted in “Opening Band” is often viewed as a sorrowful situation, yet the character in the song gets to perform. He expressed this sentiment to The Times upon the release of “The Old New Me”. There are numerous talented musicians in America who have not received recognition. They haven’t been celebrated, but they possess an exceptional skill that no one else can replicate. Despite being overlooked, they continue to create music. That’s what I admire most about this industry – it’s the unique oddballs who often get overshadowed.

“It’s unfortunate how many emerging bands today model themselves after famous acts like Nirvana and The Replacements. They think they might replicate their success if they’re lucky, but the truth is, your chances of making it in the music industry are similar to winning a lottery. I’m not someone who’s made or ruined by my connections within the industry. It’s a running joke because often, the wrong people manage to succeed.

In 2012, Westerberg and Tommy Stinson got back together under The Replacements banner for a tour, which included a show with Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong at the Coachella festival. In 2013, notable musicians such as Jeff Tweedy, Lucinda Williams, Frank Black, and Jakob Dylan collaborated to create an album paying tribute to Dunlap, who suffered a stroke and was no longer able to play music. Later in 2020, Dunlap released a live album showcasing a 2002 performance at St. Paul’s Turf Club. As reported by the Star Tribune, Dunlap’s family members include his wife, their three children, six grandchildren, and Dunlap’s three sisters.

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2024-12-20 00:01

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