Justin Cary, Sixpence None the Richer Bassist, Dies at 50

Justin Cary, the longtime bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, has died. He was 50.

Cary passed away Thursday (June 18) after recently suffering a stroke, according to Sixpence None the Richer singer Leigh Nash and a GoFundMe campaign established to support the musician and his wife, Linda.

“’We sure had a great time’ is an understatement. Thank you, Justin,” Nash wrote on Instagram alongside throwback photos with Cary. “We love you forever. Please keep his dear Linda close to your hearts. She is our family. There’s never been anybody like Justin.”

“Justin passed peacefully this morning and Linda was next to him,” a statement on the GoFundMe page reads. “Please continue to pray and give strength during this very difficult time.”

Cary had “suffered a serious stroke” in recent days and was receiving treatment at Albany Medical Center in New York, according to the fundraiser.

Earlier in the week, Nash encouraged fans to visit the GoFundMe page and support her bandmate.

“We love our brother so so much. Words don’t cover it. I know so many out there love him too,” she wrote on Instagram. “Saw his brilliance, second to NONE professionalism, class, humor (oh my lord the humor) wit, tough as an old boot as they say. Many more adjectives to describe him. Please pray for Justin and Linda.”

Sixpence None the Richer formed in 1992, and Cary joined the band in 1997, replacing former bassist J.J. Plasencio. That same year, the group released its self-titled album, which featured the breakthrough hit “Kiss Me.” The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals in 2000.

Beyond his work with Sixpence None the Richer, Cary played bass for a number of artists and bands, including Counting Crows, Jennifer Knapp and Lee Brice, according to his website.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.