Justin Cary, bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, died Thursday, June 18, at age 50 after suffering a stroke, the band confirmed. Band leaders and frontwoman Leigh Nash remembered him as a longtime bandmate and friend.
Justin Cary had been moving through the rhythm of life as usual—until a stroke changed everything.
The bassist for alt-rock band Sixpence None the Richer died Thursday, June 18. He was 50. A representative for the band confirmed the death after Cary recently suffered a stroke.
“We are completely heartbroken,” Matt Slocum, the band’s guitarist and co-founder, said in a statement. “The depth of our grief proves the depth of our love for this wonderful man who was our bandmate. brother-in-arms. and friend for 30 years. The past three years had been full of international tours. recording new music. and an even further deepening of the joy and love of making music together.”.
Slocum added, “We were planning for 30 more years. Such a tragic and untimely loss. Please raise a glass with us to our dear friend and fantastic musician, Justin Cary. Cheers amigo, see you on the other side.”
Leigh Nash, the band’s frontwoman, posted her tribute on Instagram on June 18, writing, “‘We sure had a great time’ is an understatement. Thank you, Justin. We love you forever. Please keep his dear [wife] Linda close to your hearts. She is our family. There’s never been anybody like Justin.”
Cary helped shape the band’s sound for decades. Sixpence None the Richer was founded in 1992, and Cary joined five years later. The group has earned two Grammy nominations—best rock gospel album (“Sixpence None the Richer”) and best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals (“Kiss Me”).
Over the last three decades, the band notched three singles on the Billboard Hot 100. “Kiss Me” reached No. 2. “There She Goes” and “Don’t Dream It’s Over” also charted as covers.
Cary’s life outside the band was equally wide-ranging. According to his personal website, he was originally from upstate New York and had lived in Nashville since 1997. Beyond Sixpence None the Richer, he performed and recorded with artists including Counting Crows, Paul Brandt, and Lee Brice.
On his website. Cary described his experiences traveling the world as a musician and said he was always looking to “expand my horizons.” He also wrote. “As a member of Sixpence None the Richer. I have been fortunate to ride a wave of experience that taught me a lot about the music industry. ” adding. “Sometimes easily. and sometimes the hard way!”.
The timeline of Cary’s final chapter is stark: a stroke came recently, and by June 18, the band confirmed he was gone. Slocum’s words—planning for 30 more years—captured the shock of a loss that arrived just as the band had been touring internationally and recording new music.
Justin Cary Sixpence None the Richer bassist Leigh Nash Matt Slocum stroke Billboard Hot 100 Kiss Me There She Goes Don't Dream It's Over Nashville