Bassist Tom Fowler Dead at 73 After Suffering From Serious Health Issue

Tom Fowler, a renowned bassist who debuted with Frank Zappa on Over-Nite Sensation in 1973, has died. He was 73.

On Wednesday, July 3, Zappa's other collaborator Arthur Barrow confirmed the news about Fowler's death in a statement on Facebook. He disclosed that the bassist died on July 2.

"He was a hero to me. The first time I heard Echidna's I almost fell over when he played the big 5/16 lick on the bass! I had no idea that a clumsy bass could do such a thing!" Barrow wrote. "He was an inspiration for me to buy a bass and start practicing. I have known him since about 1976. RIP old friend - missing you very much. (pic is from 2014 Euro tour - don't know who the woman is - a fan I guess)."

The cause of death, at the time, was not disclosed. But a separate update from engineer and producer Dennis Moody noted that Fowler died from complications of the aneurysm he had a few days before his death.

Woody said, "One of the most creative, intelligent, and wackiest people I've ever met. Tom played bass on a half dozen Frank Zappa albums, and as well of the last 10 years with Ray Charles. I met Tom and his brother Walt when I was 20 years old. He and I remained friends forever, touring the world and making lots of incredible music."

Fans have also left heartfelt messages on both posts, expressing their heartbreak after the loss.

Tom started his career with Zappa through their 1973's Over-Nite Sensation. The record also featured his brother, Bruce Forler, on trombone.

He went on to work on more Zappa albums in the years thereafter, including in the Studio Tan in 1978.

Throughout his active career years, Tom - who initially played violin as a kid - collaborated with several other artists, including Steve Hackett, Jean-Luc Ponty and George Duke. He also joined Air Pocket, a jazz fusion band that featured his other siblings Ed, Steve, Bruce and Walt.

Prior to his death, he appeared in an interview with Zappa Books in 2000 and reflected on his successful live performance.

"A live situation has to have lots of peaks and valleys and it's a good show, then you can have slow stuff," he shared.