Nashville, Tenn. (August 6, 2012) – The Marshall Tucker Band family is mourning the loss of longtime band member and guitarist Stuart Swanlund. Swanlund passed away in his sleep at his Chicago home this past Saturday, August 4, 2012. Swanlund died of natural causes.
Swanlund joined The Marshall Tucker Band in 1985 where his slide guitar work added a new dimension to the band – on newer material as well as standards like “Searchin’ For A Rainbow,” “Can’t You See,” and “Fire On The Mountain.”
“Stuart, or ‘Stubie’ as we called him, was the longest standing member of The Marshall Tucker Band from 1985, onward,” says Marshall Tucker Band founding member Doug Gray. “He recently took a hiatus from the road due to health problems and even with those issues, Stuart’s enthusiasm onstage never waivered. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stuart’s family and those who knew him. We have lost a great friend.”
Stuart Craig Swanlund was born in Puerto Rico on April 3, 1958. Swanlund was reared in Spartanburg, SC, where he would sit on his grandmother’s porch and listen to his neighbor, Doug Gray, rehearse with a rock and roll band across the street. He was only five years old, and had no way of knowing he’d one day play alongside Gray and The Marshall Tucker Band.
When not touring with The Marshall Tucker Band, Swanlund performed in Chicago with local band, the Tone Generators.
According to Doug Gray, one of the highlights of Swanlund’s time on the road with The Marshall Tucker Band was last winter when he performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Swanlund is survived by his son, William “Billy” Swanlund, his lifelong partner Stacey Schmaren, three grandchildren and sister, Suzanne Spencer. He was 54 years old.
Funeral services for Swanlund will be held this Saturday, August 11 at 11:00 AM at the Good Shepherd Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, SC.
Flowers and cards may be sent to:
Good Shepherd Memorial Park
4164 Hwy 9
Boiling Springs, SC 29316
