DEVO's founding member and guitarist Bob Casale, has died at the age of 61.
TMZ reported that Casale passed away on February 17 after medical complications unexpectedly led to heart failure.
Bob's brother Gerald confirmed the news saying: "Very sad news to report today. Bob Casale of Devo. Born: July 14th, 1952. Deceased: February 17th, 2014. As an original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me from the beginning. He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer, and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got."
"He was excited about the possibility of Mark Mothersbaugh allowing Devo to play shows again," the statement continued. "His sudden death from conditions that lead to heart failure came as a total shock to us all."
The cult new wave band formed in Ohio in 1972, the classic line-up of the band consisting of the Casale brothers, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Alan Myers (
Myers died of brain cancer in June 2013). Gerald recruited his brother Bob for guitar/keyboards.
RIP Mr. Casale.