Bush Tetras drummer Dee Pop has died
Dee Pop, drummer for Bush Tetras, has died at age 65. “It is with great sadness we report Dee Pop, drummer for Bush Tetras since 1979, passed away in his sleep last night,” bandmates Cynthia Sley and Pat Place wrote in a statement. “Dee Pop was a quintessential New Yorker, growing up in Forest Hills Queens and living in New York ever since. He was not only Bush Tetras drummer, but also our archivist, owning an original copy of every Bush Tetras release and t-shirt and also maintaining the band’s masters. In addition to Bush Tetras, Dee Pop played with Richard Lloyd, Michael Karoli (Can), The Gun Club, Jayne County, and The Shams, William Parker, Eddie Gale, Roy Campbell, Freedomland, Hanuman Sextet, Radio I-Ching and 1000 Yard Stare. Dee Pop is survived by his son Charlie and daughter Nicole. He will be sorely missed by his bandmates and the many people he touched throughout his life. Rest in peace, Dee.”
As they mentioned, in addition to playing with Bush Tetras, Dee also played with The Clash, Richard Lloyd, Michael Karoli of Can, The Gun Club, Jayne County, and more. Rest easy, Dee.
Watch a few videos of Dee with Bush Tetras, and read tributes, below.
Already planned for tonight in NYC was a release event for the new Bush Tetras box set, Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras, happening at Howl (6 East 1st St) that will still happen, now in tribute to Dee.. “We think he would have wanted us to carry on tonight with our Bush Tetras release event,” Cynthia Sley wrote on Facebook. “The band meant everything to him. He was an amazing drummer, one of the best, and a very dear friend. We’ll miss him daily. Tonight will be more of a memorial for him and his legacy.” The event runs 7-9 PM. More info is here and the flyer is below.
We are so very sad to say that Dee Pop passed away in his sleep last night. The band meant everything to him. He was an amazing drummer, one of the best, and a very dear friend. We'll miss him daily. Our event at Howl tonight will be more of a memorial for him and his legacy. pic.twitter.com/g5qR8V7Sxi
— Bush Tetras (@bushtetrasnyc) October 9, 2021
Pat Place of the Bush Tetras posted news on Instagram that the band’s longtime drummer, Dee Pop, died in his sleep last night. Tonight there’s a launch party at Howl Arts in NYC for the Bush Tetras’ upcoming box set. Awful, cruel timing. https://t.co/a4w8u00i0j
— Rob Tannenbaum (@tannenbaumr) October 9, 2021
Rest In Peace, Dee Pop. Dee was a force, he played drums with passion and power. He’ll be missed. #deepop #bushtetras pic.twitter.com/4LKmzrYS2B
— Pat Irwin (@patirwinmusic) October 9, 2021
Very sad to learn of the sudden passing of brilliant drummer Dee Pop. What a genuine sweet person, the best of NYC. My heart goes out to his family and friends & Cynthia and Pat/his band Bush Tetras. Here’s a great interview with him from 2020 https://t.co/UshZQztepY
— Amy Rigby (@AmyRigby) October 9, 2021