Former Skid Row singer Johnny Solinger has reportedly died at the age of 55.
According to the New York Post’s Page Six, he passed away on June 26th, about a month after he told fans that he’d been diagnosed with liver failure.
Skid Row’s official Instagram page posted a tribute to the rocker on Saturday that read, “We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”
The message continued, “Godspeed Singo. Say hello to Scrappy for us,” making a nod to Solinger’s late grandfather, Willard Jesse “Scrappy” Smith, the namesake for his solo album “Scrappy Smith,” according to Newsweek.
The Instagram post was signed “much love” from members Rachel Bolan, ZP Theart, Snake Sabo, Rob Hammersmith and Scotti Hill.
Bolan wrote in a separate Instagram tribute, “RIP Singo. Get yourself a piece of pie with Scrappy.”
Solinger joined the popular band in 1999 as a replacement for Sebastian Bach. He left the group in 2015 and was replaced by [TNT frontman] Tony Harnell.
Solinger is on several Skid Row albums, including the Thickskin, Revolutions per Minute, United World Rebellion and Rise Of The Damnation Army.
The vocalist was reportedly married to actress Paula Marcenaro, who shared a heartfelt quote, attributed to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler, following Solinger’s passing.
“The reality is that you will grieve forever,” Marcenaro posted on her Instagram Story, quoting the passage. “You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it.
“You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never ben the same. Nor should you be the same. nor would you want to.”
A GoFundMe reportedly organized by a friend of Solinger’s, which had raised over $16,000 for Solinger’s medical bills, also confirmed the singer’s death.
Citing Paula, the page posted: “Update from Paula….Johnny has passed. I was holding his hand. He went in peace. Thank you all. I will take a break from everything but please know I am forever grateful for your love.”
Fan tributes also poured in, with one person writing on Instagram, “Rest In Piece Johnny. Hope you’re cookin’ up a storm in heaven,” and another commenting on Skid Row’s post, “Heartbroken. Johnny was a good dude.”
2 Responses
Very sad. Saw Slaughter this past Saturday along with other bands on the bill (6/26/21) and Mark Slaughter paid homage to Johnny. Fly to the Angels, Johnny. R.I.P.
Wow that is sad . RIP