Original Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such has died at the age of 70. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Such’s death was confirmed by his former bandmates, who wrote in a statement that they were “heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend.”
They continued: “He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him – He was a childhood friend of Tico [Torres] and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We’ll miss him dearly.”
Such was part of the earliest iterations of Bon Jovi in 1983 alongside Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres and Richie Sambora. He would record and perform with the band for a decade, and played on five studio albums – their eponymous 1984 debut, 1985’s 7800° Fahrenheit, 1986’s Slippery When Wet, 1988’s New Jersey and 1992’s Keep the Faith. Such left the band in 1994, being replaced by Hugh McDonald.
In 2018, when Bon Jovi were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Such rejoined his former bandmates, performing with them. “When Jon Bon Jovi called me up and asked me to be in his band many years ago, I soon realised how serious he was and he had a vision that he wanted to bring us to, and I am too happy to have been a part of that vision,” Such said during the induction speech.
“These guys are the best. We had so many great times together and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those guys. Love them to death and always will.”
Alec, you will be missed pic.twitter.com/ilfTeYyQhR
— Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) June 5, 2022
