Bon Jovi founding bassist Alec John Such dead at 70
Alec John Such was a founding member of the band Bon Jovi
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bon Jovi founding member and bassist Alec John Such has died. He was 70.
The band confirmed his passing on Twitter Sunday afternoon with a graphic including his year of birth and death with a "Bon Jovi forever" logo above his name.
It's unclear how the musician passed away.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such," Bon Jovi posted on their Twitter account.
"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 these special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We will miss him dearly."
Alec John Such of Bon Jovi performing on stage at Wembley Arena, London 14 May 1993. (Ian Dickson/Redferns)
BON JOVI, NINA SIMONE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tributes came pouring in on social media for the rock star, who has shared the stage with legendary musicians alike throughout a decades-long career.
Jon shared the band's tweet to his own account and wrote: "Alec, you will be missed."
Founding member and keyboardist David Bryan wrote: "RIP my soul brother…. It was an honor and pleasure to share the stage and to share life with you….."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Such played in The Message in the earlier ‘80s with Richie Sambora before joining Bon Jovi. He left the group in 1994 due to feeling "burned out."
Alec John Such of Bon Jovi speaks onstage during the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Theo Wargo)
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He reunited with the group in 2018 when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"When Jon Bon Jovi called me up and asked me to be in his band many years ago, I soon realized 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," he said.
He continued: "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."
Bon Jovi is known for being one of the most influential American rock band's of all time, having sold more than 130 million records worldwide.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bon Jovi backstage before a performance at Summerfest, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 29, 1985. From left, Richie Sambora, Alec John Such, Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and David Bryan. (Paul Natkin)