The Replacements Drummer Found Dead

Steve Foley, drummer for The Replacements, was found dead this morning. The cause of death is an apparent accidental prescription drug overdose. Another star taken too soon because he didn’t read the label on the bottle.

Foley joined the group when founding members Tommy Stinson and Paul Westerberg met him in a bar in Minneapolis nearly twenty years ago. He performed with the band until their last concert in July of 1991. After the band called it quits, he went back to being a car salesman in Minneapolis. The ephemeral star was 49.

I hate to be contrary. I know that we’re supposed to have respect for those who passed, especially if it’s as recent as this morning. But I’m not gonna even lie, I’m kind of pissed. Really! In this day and age, is it really possible for people to not know that there are certain prescription pills that you can’t mix together? We lost Heath because he decided to take too many medications, medications that any doctor wouldn’t prescribe to be taken at the same time. And now, this senseless tragedy because sometimes the headache is so severe you think taking more than the prescription asks for will be okay just this once. It’s a shame and it sucks. I know that sounds childish, but I’m sick of people dying because of flukes of judgment. It’s probably the most depressing thing in the world to me. I know I’m just supposed to report the stuff, but it gets harder and harder to lose people when you know they didn’t have to die.

My condolences to Foley’s family and his band members. He will be missed.