Dave Gregg, a guitarist who played with legendary punk band D.O.A. as well as The Real McKenzies, died over the weekend in B.C. He was 54.
The Georgia Straight reports Gregg was visiting his parents in White Rock, British Columbia when he collapsed on Saturday.
The Vancouver Sun is reporting it was "a massive heart attack" and Gregg died Sunday night in hospital.
"It is with unbelievable sorrow that I have to talk about the passing of Dave Gregg," D.O.A.'s Joe Keithley wrote yesterday, March 31. "He died of a heart attack this past weekend. I can't even come close to being able to express strong enough condolences to his wife Cathy and the rest of Dave's family."
Keithley's lengthy post regarding Gregg's passing described the guitarist, who played with the group from 1980 through to 1988 as a "genuinely nice guy and a caring human being, who had one of the most wicked senses of humor I ever ever come across." The "great guitarist and unbelievable showman" played on six studio albums during that time, including "War On 45," "Let's Wreck The Party" and "Murder."
Keithley also reflected on the band's lengthy tours, often with Gregg being the overnight driver with he and Gregg "gabbing into the wee hours" about scheming "how to change the world and possible wild scientific breakthroughs as we endlessly put up really shitty music on the radio (not much has changed)." Gregg was also part of D.O.A.'s best known lineup featuring himself, Keithley, bassist Randy Rampage and drummer Chuck Biscuits.
"I really wish I had one more chance to sit down with him and cover some of that ground again and explore new avenues of thought, but I can't and that sucks," Keithley concluded. "Dave, we will all miss you tremendously, but you will live on in our hearts."
The Real McKenzies, another group Gregg spent some years in, echoed Keithley's sentiments on their Facebook page.
"Dave brought with him a great vibe as he was a very unique character," the band posted last night. "We can honestly say it was truly a pleasure to travel the world many times over with him and his presence in this world will be missed. Thanks for the great times Dave, may you rest in peace! Our heart goes out to his family and friends, and especially to Cathy."
Fat Wreck Records also noted Gregg's death, stating that they would miss him dearly and "our NYC shows will never be the same without his billowing, blazing white mane and long leather jacket, keeping watch over the whole affair."
D.O.A. are currently touring but it's unclear if funeral arrangements for Gregg may lead them to reschedule dates later this week. The band are slated to play Spokane, Washington on April 4 and Richland, Washington the following night. An Australian tour is slated for later in the month.
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