The co-founder and bassist of the grunge band Screaming Trees, Van Conner has died. Conner died after battling a prolonged illness. Here is all about the musician and his career.
Van Conner Dies At 55 After Battling An Extended Illness
The death of Conner was announced on Facebook by his brother and former bandmate, Gary Lee. He revealed on Wednesday that Conner suffered from an extended illness for a while. Unfortunately, he died after battling pneumonia. On his Facebook page, Lee wrote Conner was one of his closest friends who he loved immensely. “I will miss him forever, ever and ever…” He wrote.
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Screaming Trees Reacts
Their band, Screaming Trees, reposted Gary’s original message on their page. According to Daily Mail , the message has gotten hundreds of comments from fans expressing their sadness over his death.
Details On The Grunge Band Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees was founded in 1994 by Conner, Lee, Mark Pickerel, and singer Mark Lanegan who died last year at age 57. In 1985, their first EP, Other Worlds was recorded in their hometown of Ellensburg, Washington.
The Group’s Big Break
According to Billboard, in 1986, the band did their studio set, Clairvoyance . In 1992, Screaming Trees’ album Sweet Oblivion got them on various Billboard charts. The album landed the 141st spot on the all-genre Billboard 200.
The Group’s Commercial Success
Their singles Dollar Bill and Nearly Lost You also got chart success on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay. In 1996, they released their most commercially successful album, Dust . According to Deadline, the album got to the 134th spot on the Billboard 200. 11 years after the band separated in 2000, they released their last album, Last Words: The Final Recordings .
Inside Conner’s Background
Conner was born on March 17, 1967, in Apple Valley, California, U.S. He was also an American musician who focused on grunge, psychedelic rock, and alternative rock genres. He played bass and lead guitar. Conner was active in the music industry from 1984 to 2023.
His Achievements Within The Industry
He has worked with labels like Epic, Small Stone, SST, and Velvetone Records. He was also formerly part of Screaming Trees, Gardener, VALIS, and Solomon Grundy. Conner established himself as a solo artist after Screaming Trees disbanded. He also worked with cellist Isobel Campbell.
All About Conner’s Music Career And Achievements
Conner was a bass player in high school. He formed the band Explosive Generation with Lee and Pickerel. The band was later changed to Screaming Trees when Mark Lanegan joined in 1985. While in Screaming Trees, Conner formed a project Solomon Grundy where he played guitar and performed lead vocals. In 1990, the band released an album.
His Solo Career
He also joined a live lineup of Dinosaur Jr. Conner later formed another side project, Gardener. It later released an album in 1999. After Screaming Trees disbanded in 2000, Conner worked as a session musician. He also formed alternative rock bands like Musk Ox and VALIS.
