Cult power pop hero Tommy Keene — who worked with the likes of the Replacements' Paul Westerberg, Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck — has died. The prolific American musician passed away "unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep" in his L.A. area home on Wednesday (November 22), according to a post on his website. He was 59.
Over the course of Keene's 40-year-plus career, he release 11 full-length albums, as well as three compilations, including 2010's You Hear Me: A Retrospective 1983-2009, and one live album. His 1986 album Songs from the Film spent 12 weeks on the Billboard Album Charts.
Keene developed a cult following over the year, truly becoming a "musician's musician." In addition to playing with the aforementioned Westerberg, Buck and Pollard (with whom he released a collaborative album as the Keene Brothers), Keene also worked with Goo Goo Dolls and Gin Blossoms. Throughout his career, he released albums on labels such as Geffen, Matador Records and Second Motion.
Keene's last album was 2015's Laugh in the Dark. He also most recently served as the opening support on tour with peer Matthew Sweet.
Over the course of Keene's 40-year-plus career, he release 11 full-length albums, as well as three compilations, including 2010's You Hear Me: A Retrospective 1983-2009, and one live album. His 1986 album Songs from the Film spent 12 weeks on the Billboard Album Charts.
Keene developed a cult following over the year, truly becoming a "musician's musician." In addition to playing with the aforementioned Westerberg, Buck and Pollard (with whom he released a collaborative album as the Keene Brothers), Keene also worked with Goo Goo Dolls and Gin Blossoms. Throughout his career, he released albums on labels such as Geffen, Matador Records and Second Motion.
Keene's last album was 2015's Laugh in the Dark. He also most recently served as the opening support on tour with peer Matthew Sweet.