Michael Wardhas died (Picture: Getty/Michael Ward Instagram)
Michael Ward has died aged 57.
His former band, The Wallflowers, which was founded by Bob Dylan’s son Jakob Dylan, posted a tribute to confirm the loss.
In a Facebook post, they celebrated his ‘crucial part’ in their history.
‘With love and gratitude, the Wallflowers say farewell to the great and singular Michael Ward,’ it began.
‘Michael’s role and talents will forever remain a crucial part of the band’s history.’
They continued: ‘His contributions to music began before his time with the Wallflowers and continued long after his time with the band.
‘Listening to Thin Lizzy on a sorrowful day. Rest now Mike.
‘Much love to his family and his two children.’
Ward was part of the band between 1995 and 2001.
The Wallflowers – Jakob Dylan, Ward, Rami Jaffee, Mario Calire and Greg Richling (Picture: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
His sister Tracy Ward Hartfiel wrote on Facebook: ‘Michael Ward has left this plane.
‘It’s with tremendous sorrow that I let you know complications from diabetes took his life last night.
‘Obviously, we are all in shock and overcome with grief. This is all I can handle writing right now. Please tell the people you love just how much they mean to you,’ she concluded.
Ward contributed to 50 studio albums (Picture: Michael Ward Instagram)
Ward was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his twenties, he was an original member of the alternative rock band School of Fish which Capitol Records managed.
Throughout his career, he contributed to 50 studio album recordings including Gavin DeGraw’s Chariot which featured One Tree Hill theme song, I Don’t Wanna Be.
As part of The Wallflowers, he recorded the album Bringing Down the Horse, which sold over five million copies. It won a Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Grammy Award for One Headlight.
According to an Instagram post, Ward, who resided in Los Angeles, was due to perform at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country in Las Vegas tonight.
Country music singer Stephen Wesley, who is set to perform at the event, commented: ‘RIP, my brother. My heart hurts so bad. You will be missed.’
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