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Justin Cary, bassist of Sixpence None the Richerdied on Thursday – a few days after a stroke. He was 50 years old.
Leigh Nash, the band’s frontwoman, confirmed Cary’s death on Thursday, writing on social media: “We had a great time’ is an understatement. Thank you Justin. We love you forever. Please keep his love.” [Frau] Linda in your hearts. She is our family. There’s never been anyone like Justin.”
Nash added in a moving post on her Instagram Stories: “Justin Cary was kind, talented, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. When he was telling a story, I would stop what I was doing and listen. I had to catch the end of ‘Kiss Me’ every night because he played this crazy bass lick that blew my mind. One time I broke the sink in my hotel room in Chile and he had to come over at 1am and help me. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him and to have learned from someone so extraordinary what it means to be on tour. I had hoped to be his friend for a long time.”
Cary had been a member of Sixpence None the Richer since 1997, after replacing then bassist JJ Plasencio. He joined the group before they released their self-titled album with the megahit “Kiss Me,” which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Cary’s legacy at sixpence
The La’s cover of “There She Goes” was also a hit on the Hot 100 in 1999. Cary remained a member of the band until his death on Thursday.
A GoFundMe page Nash set up to benefit Cary and his wife Linda said Cary had suffered a stroke and was in the intensive care unit after two surgeries. “Justin passed away peacefully this morning and Linda was with him. Please continue to pray and give strength during this very difficult time,” the fundraising initiative said on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Nash told fans that Cary had suffered a stroke the previous week. “Our brother of 30 years — and bassist — Justin had a stroke Thursday night,” she wrote at the time, accompanied by a photo montage on Instagram. “We love our brother so, so much. Words are not enough. I know there are so many people out there who love him too. Who have seen his shine, his professionalism that is second to none, his style, his humor – oh God, the humor – his wit. Hard as Krupp steel, as they say.”
