The music world mourns the loss of Bob ‘Slim’ Dunlap, a talented guitarist hailing from Minnesota, who gained significant recognition as the last guitarist for the iconic Minneapolis punk band, The Replacements. Dunlap passed away at the age of 73, marking the end of an era for fans and musicians alike.

According to a report from The Minnesota Star Tribune, Dunlap died on Wednesday afternoon, December 18. His family revealed that the cause of death was related to the complications stemming from a stroke he suffered in 2012. This debilitating event not only left him bedridden but also robbed him of his ability to play music, a passion that defined his life and career.

“Bob passed at home today at 12:48 p.m. surrounded by family,” a heartfelt statement from his family revealed. “We played him his Live at the Turf Club (Thank You Dancers!) CD, and he left us shortly after listening to his moving rendition of ‘Hillbilly Heaven’ — a truly poignant moment. His decline was natural over the past week, primarily due to complications from his stroke, which had affected him deeply since 2012.”

Born in 1951, Dunlap picked up the guitar at a young age, showcasing his talent and passion for music early in life. He gained local recognition in the late 1970s while performing with Curtiss A, also known as Curt Almsted. Almsted went on to form the punk-influenced band Spooks, which featured Dunlap on guitar and quickly captured the attention of The Replacements’ frontman, Paul Westerberg.

During that time, Westerberg was actively searching for a new guitarist to replace Bob Stinson, who had been ousted from the band in 1986. Although Dunlap initially turned down Westerberg’s invitation to join The Replacements, he later reconsidered his decision, spurred by his admiration for Westerberg’s exceptional songwriting talent and the band’s influential sound.

To avoid confusion with Stinson, Dunlap adopted the nickname ‘Slim’ and became affectionately known as “the replacement Replacement” by many fans. He was a vital part of The Replacements from 1987 until their breakup in 1991, contributing his guitar skills to notable albums like 1989’s Don’t Tell a Soul and 1990’s All Shook Down, which showcased his unique style and creativity.

After the dissolution of The Replacements, Dunlap embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album The Old New Me in 1993, followed by Times Like This in 1996. He remained an active participant in the local music scene, continuing to engage with fans and fellow musicians until his career was tragically cut short in 2012 due to health issues stemming from his stroke.

Many artists, including members of The Replacements, Steve Earle, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, Jakob Dylan, Frank Black, and Jeff Tweedy, rallied together to support Dunlap by contributing to the 2013 compilation album Songs for Slim, which aimed to raise funds for his recovery and medical expenses.

Dunlap’s last release, Thank You, Dancers!, came out in 2020 and featured live recordings from a performance at St. Paul’s Turf Club in 2002, showcasing his enduring talent and dedication to music even in the face of adversity.