Sad news for the rock and metal communities, as Johnny Solinger, the vocalist for hair metal giants Skid Row from 1999 to 2015, died last Friday, June 26th. He was 55 years old.
News of Solinger’s death was confirmed by his wife and actor Paula Marcenaro Solinger, in a social media post reading, “Johnny has passed. I was holding his hand. He went in peace. Thank you all. I will take a break from everything but please know I am forever grateful for your love.”
Skid Row also posted online about Solinger’s passing in an Instagram post with the following caption: “We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. Godspeed Singo.
“Say hello to Scrappy for us.
“Much love,
Rachel Bolan
ZP Theart
Snake Sabo
Rob Hammersmith
Scotti Hill”
View this post on Instagram
This terrible news comes just one month after Solinger publicly revealed that he was suffering from liver disease. “As with most musicians I do not have health insurance and it’s very difficult to get proper care without it,” Solinger wrote in a Facebook post. “I am currently under at least seven different medications and I need to have my abdomen drained off fluid that gets accumulated every couple of days. I have lost a lot of strength and will require physical therapy as well.”
Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan discovered Solinger online in 1999, and the singer was hired to replace for vocalist Sebastian Bach in the band. Johnny was featured on four Skid Row releases, the full-length albums Thickskin (2003) and Revolutions Per Minute (2006) and the two EPs United World Rebellion: Chapter One (2013) and Rise of the Damnation Army – United World Rebellion: Chapter Two (2014).
Everyone at The Pit sends their heart out to Johnny’s family, friends, fans and collaborators during this difficult time.
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Words by Chris Krovatin
