Bob "Slim" Dunlap, guitarist for The Replacements, passed away at age 73 following complications from a 2012 stroke that left him bedridden. He died peacefully at home on Wednesday at 12:48 PM while listening to his own recording of "Hillbilly Heaven" from his "Live at the Turf Club" album.

Photo Credit: Bob "Slim" Dunlap by JCHaywire / CC by 2.0

Born on August 14, 1951, in Plainview, Minnesota, Dunlap joined The Replacements in 1987 during their "Pleased to Meet Me" tour. He played on the band's final two studio albums and was credited with rejuvenating the group's spirit during their later years.

Before joining The Replacements, Dunlap worked various jobs from cab driving to janitorial work while playing in several bands since the mid-1970s. Paul Westerberg gave him the nickname "Slim" to distinguish him from the band's previous guitarist, Bob Stinson.

After The Replacements disbanded in 1991, Dunlap toured with Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites and released solo material in 1993. His songwriting, influenced by Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, and vintage blues, earned praise from Bruce Springsteen, who called his records "deeply touching and emotional" in a 2014 NPR interview.

Following his 2012 stroke, Dunlap received support through all-star fundraising tribute recordings and was cared for by his wife Chrissie at their Minneapolis home, where he regularly enjoyed visits from fellow musicians until his passing.

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