Obituary, Death T.M. Stevens T.M. Stevens, the world-renowned bassist, has peacefully passed away in his sleep, leaving the music community in deep sorrow. His extraordinary talent and spirit will be remembered through his groundbreaking contributions and the lives he touched.dies aged 73, bassist passed away after a long battle with illness

HUGE LOSS: The music world is grieving today as news of the passing of Thomas Michael Stevens, widely known as T.M. Stevens, echoes through the industry. Hailing from New York, the esteemed American bass guitarist, aged 72, breathed his last yesterday after battling an illness.

Renowned for his dynamic presence in bands such as Pretenders and Vai, and his collaborations with iconic figures like James Brown, Miles Davis, and Tina Turner, Stevens leaves behind a profound legacy that has significantly shaped the landscape of bass guitar in the music realm.

As the industry mourns this significant loss, T.M. Stevens’ contributions continue to resonate, ensuring his enduring presence in the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.

A World-Renowned Bassist T.M. Stevens passed away 

The music world is in mourning as the news of the passing of the world-famous bassist, T.M. Stevens, reverberates across the globe. Thomas Michael Stevens, whose skills as a bassist and vocalist were nothing short of legendary, has left an indelible mark on the international music scene. Renowned for his unparalleled energy and mastery of the bass, he stood as a shining figure among musicians. 

What happened to T.M. Stevens?

We are sad to share that T.M. Stevens has peacefully passed away in his sleep. The music community is feeling a big loss, but T.M. Stevens will always be remembered for his amazing talent and the many people he inspired with his music.

Cause of death

TM Stevens, best known for his work as bassist for the Pretenders and Vai (a band formed by Steve Vai), died at the age of 72 last Sunday (10). The musician had been suffering from dementia for some time and lived in a nursing home, as revealed by friend and artist Ronny Drayton in 2017.  The news was confirmed by Bass Magazine, as well as by guitarist Stevie Salas, with whom he played in the past. There is no more information about it yet. 

Thomas Michael “T. M.” Stevens: The Groove Maestro from New York City

Born on July 28, 1951, in New York City, T. M. Stevens emerged as a prominent American bass guitarist. His musical journey began as he became an integral part of the group Space Cadets, releasing their self-titled album in 1981. Also known by the moniker “Shaka Zulu,” Stevens laid the foundation for a versatile and dynamic career.

Pretenders and Collaborations (1986-1993)

From 1986 to 1987, Stevens joined forces with the Pretenders, contributing to their album “Get Close” in 1986. His collaborative spirit led him to become a member of Vai, a group formed by Steve Vai. Their collaboration included the recording and promotion of Vai’s third studio album, “Sex & Religion,” in 1993. The lineup featured notable artists like Devin Townsend and Terry Bozzio.

Solo Ventures and Musical Exploration (1995-2008)

Venturing into solo projects, Stevens formed the backing band “Out of Control” and released two albums, “Boom” (1995) and “Sticky Wicked” (1996). He showcased his production and arrangement skills in the 1997 album “Black Night – Deep Purple Tribute According to New York,” contributing to seven of its eleven tracks. The early 2000s saw Stevens collaborating with German drummer Marco Minnemann’s group “Illegal Aliens” for the album “International Telephone” and releasing “Boomparty 2000” with the Boombasstics. In 2008, he issued “Brothers in Arms” with the group Temple of Soul.

Session Virtuoso and Touring Maestro

Stevens carved a niche for himself as a sought-after session musician and toured with an impressive array of artists, showcasing his bass expertise. His contributions extended to luminaries such as James Brown, Nona Hendryx, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Little Steven, Tina Turner, Narada Michael Walden, Taylor Dayne, Stevie Salas, and Billy Joel. His ability to seamlessly blend into diverse genres underscored his versatility and left an indelible mark on the music industry.

T. M. Stevens’ legacy is one of musical exploration, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of the groove, making him an influential figure in the world of bass guitar.