Saliva guitarist Wayne Swinny has died at the age of 59 after a brain hemorrhage while on tour.
In a statement posted yesterday (March 22) on the Tennessee rock band’s Facebook page, they confirmed that Swinny died during their “Spring Mayhem” tour.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother Wayne Swinny,” they wrote. “Wayne passed away this afternoon from a spontaneous brain hemorrhage while we were on tour. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced soon. Everyone who knew him will miss Wayne.”
This news came just a few hours after the band announced that the guitarist was being treated in the intensive care unit.
Bu gönderiyi Instagram’da gör
“Our dear brother Wayne Swinny was found on Tuesday morning in serious condition and an ambulance was called,” the group said in a statement. “He was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage. He is currently in the intensive care unit while we wait for further news. We ask you to keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Now the band has honored the late guitarist on Instagram by sharing a photo of Swinney with the caption: “Love you, brother.”
Last week, the band began their tour with concerts in Sarasota, Amelia Island, Orlando, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee.
Swinny was one of the founders of the band Saliva, which was formed back in 1996. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Josie Scott, drummer Todd Poole, bassist Dave Novotny and guitarists Chris D’abaldo and Swinny.
Scott, who left the band back in 2011, paid tribute to his former bandmate on Instagram.
Bu gönderiyi Instagram’da gör
“I have no words. Only love, and small moments, and views that we shared, only between us and the fans, on stage, after the stage, around the world, which no one will ever know about,” he wrote.
“Playing music and writing music with someone like Wayne Swinny, as long as we’ve been doing it, in all the places we’ve been, it’s very intimate. It was the love we shared together, and I will go into eternity holding on to this love and these memories. Forever #TheToxicTwins”.
“Swinny is the best thing that is, has been and will ever be outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Big facts!” he wrote in the second post. “Rest in peace, Wayne, see you on the other side! With love to your family, fans and friends! All my love, Jaycee.”
Musician Jay Gearhart commented on Saliva’s Facebook post, writing: “It breaks my heart. He was such a great dude. Rest in peace, Uncle Wayway.
Bu gönderiyi Instagram’da gör
Miami rock band I Set My Friends on Fire added: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear this. You guys have been so good to us all these years, including Wayne.
“Your team completely saved our tour last year when our bus broke down, and we will be eternally grateful for that. I pray for all of you.”
Saliva released their self-titled album back in 1997, and have released 10 more albums over the years, the latest of which is 2018’s “10 Lives”.
The band has yet to make a statement about plans for the rest of the tour.
