Big Wreck co-founder Brian Doherty has lost his battle with cancer.
The guitarist, who helped to launch the rock band in the early 1990s while he was a student at Boston, Massachusetts’ Berklee College of Music, died on Wednesday, aged 51.
A statement posted online by his bandmates reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our brother, Brian Doherty, passed away peacefully yesterday after a prolonged and brave struggle with cancer.
“Brian started Big Wreck with Ian (Thornley) in their dorm in Boston and his passing is a profound loss to us all. Our deepest condolences go out to Brian’s family. He was a good soul who will be missed by all who knew him personally or through the beautiful music he performed.”
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our brother, Brian Doherty, passed away peacefully yesterday after a prolonged and brave struggle with cancer. pic.twitter.com/cA7xc7a2wW
— Big Wreck (@bigwreckmusic) June 6, 2019
Along with Doherty and fellow guitarist and singer Thornley, Big Wreck originally featured bassist Dave Henning and drummer Forest Williams.
They released their debut album, In Loving Memory Of…, in 1997, and scored a hit with The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted), reports Billboard.
The group parted ways in 2002, but Doherty and Thornley reunited in 2012 and reformed Big Wreck, recording three more albums – Albatross, Ghosts, and Grace Street, which was released in 2017.
