American musician Alec John Such died at the age of 70 on Sunday. The cause of his death is yet to be known. 

John Such was the founding member and the first bassist of rock band Bon Jovi. Confirming the news of his death, the band wrote, “We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such.”

“He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. … To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him — He was a childhood friend of Tico [Torres] and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today these special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We will miss him dearly,” Bon Jovi added, according to a report by Variety.

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Alec John Such was born on November 14, 1951, in Yonkers, New York. In the early 80s, he worked as a manager in Hunka Bunka Ballroom, a building now known as the Starland Ballroom which is located in Sayreville, New Jersey. In 1983, he decided to become a part of a rock band with singer Jon Bon Jovi after realizing his passion for rock music. 

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After John Such joined the band, he brought in Richie Sambora and Tico Torres. The band grew even further after Jon Bon Jovi brought in David Bryan, who previously played for Atlantic City Expressway.

In 1994, Alec John Such was “unofficially” replaced by Hugh McDonald, who had previously played for the band on its debut album. Years later in 2016, McDonald was welcomed into the band as an official member. 

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After his dismissal, Such briefly managed local bands in New Jersey and focused on a motorbike shop he owned in New York. 

In July 2001, he reunited with Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium for the band’s One Wild Night tour. Later on, he retired from music and led a life away from rock tunes and concert crowds.