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“The Replacement Replacement,” Guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap, Dies at 73

Bob “Slim” Dunlap, the guitarist known as “the replacement Replacement,” has died, according to media reports.

Dunlap, 73, reportedly died Dec. 18 of complications stemming from a debilitating 2012 stroke.

“He was a great one,” Aaron Lee Tasjan wrote on social media is praising the former Replacements guitarist.

Dunlap joined the band in 1987, taking over for Bob Stinson and appearing on the Don’t Tell a Soul and All Shook Down albums.

Dunlap was a “great musician, very kind and gentle in our experience,” said the Posies, who toured with the Replacements between 1989 and 1991, the year the Replacements split.

Dunlap made two solo albums, 1993’s, the Old New Me and ’96’s Times Like This.

“Truly, we lost one of the greats,” Twin/Tone Records said in a statement. “Slim was an incredible talent and an incredible man; he touched a lot of lives with his artistry.”

Remembering Slim Dunlap 1951-2024

Sad news today that guitarist Bob "Slim" Dunlap has died at 73. He was the guitarist for The Replacements from 1987 to 1991. I out and out love The Replacements and the work they did before Slim joined like Tim (read my review of last year's Let It Bleed Edition here) and my all-time Desert Island Top 10 Pleased to Meet Me, but Dunlop was a significant part of the band during his era.

The Replacements circa 1990 with Dunlap on far left

Dunlop joined the band as a replacement (no pun intended) for the legendary Bob Stinson and he played on the band's 1989 album Don't Tell a Soul (an underrated gem featuring nuggets like "I'll Be You" and "Achin' to Be") and 1990's All Shook Down (again better than people think with songs like "Merry Go Round" and "When It Began").

Dunlap in his solo years

After The Mats (as fans know them) broke up in 1991, Dunlop released some solo albums. In 2012 he suffered a severe stroke. Although he was unable to take part in the 2012-2015 Mats reunion, the band did record the 2013 EP Songs for Slim to benefit Dunlap.

RIP Slim Dunlap