Alec John Such, founding bassist of Bon Jovi, dies aged 70

Alec John Such, a founding member and former bass player of iconic rock band Bon Jovi, has passed away at the age of 70.

The news was confirmed via a statement posted to Bon Jovi’s official Twitter account. A cause of death has not been announced.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such,” the statement said. “He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. 

“To be honest, we found our way to each other through him,” it continued. “He was a childhood friend of Tico [Torres] and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life.

“Today those special memories being [a] smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We’ll miss him dearly.”

Born in 1952 in Yonkers, New York, Such was an influential force behind the formation of Bon Jovi. Having honed his craft playing in a band called The Message, Such would later receive a call from an early Bon Jovi lineup – then comprising only Jon Bon Jovi and keyboardist David Bryan – to join as the band’s bassist.

After a turbulent few months, the majority of the band’s lineup was eventually solidified thanks to Such, who tapped Tico Torres and Richie Sambora to fill the drummer and rhythm guitar positions, respectively. As of today, Torres still remains a core member of the group.

Such left the group in 1994, and though he never rekindled his in-studio musical relationship with the Bon Jovi crew, the bassist did make an appearance for the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2018, during which he reflected upon his time with the band.

“When Jon Bon Jovi called me up and asked me to be in his band many years ago, I soon realized how serious he was and he had a vision that he wanted to bring us to, and I am too happy to have been a part of that vision,” Such said at the time. 

“These guys are the best. We had so many great times together and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those guys. Love them to death and always will.”

Along with their statement, Bon Jovi posted a montage of Such, which was set to the song Blood On Blood – a track from New Jersey that Such would occasionally take lead vocals for during live shows.