How Did Charlie Colin Die? A Quick Look at Colin’s Life!

By David Hill On May 24, 2024

Charlie Colin, the bassist and founding member of the band Train, best known for their early-aughts songs “Drops of Jupiter” and “Meet Virginia,” has passed away. He was 58.

Colin’s sister, Carolyn Stephens, confirmed her brother’s death to The Associated Press on Wednesday. He died after slipping and falling in the bathtub while housesitting for a friend in Brussels, according to celebrity website TMZ.

Colin grew up in Southern California and then attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. After college, he joined the band Apostles, which included guitarist Jimmy Stafford and singer Rob Hotchkiss. Colin spent a year writing jingles in Singapore after the band broke up.

Colin, Hotchkiss, and Stafford eventually migrated to San Francisco, where they created Train in the early 1990s alongside singer Pat Monahan. Colin rounded out the quartet with drummer Scott Underwood, according to an interview with Colin and Hotchkiss in Berklee’s alumni magazine.

Some Glimpses of Colin’s Life

Colin was a founding member of the pop-rock group and appeared on the group’s first three albums, “My Private Nation” (2003), “Drops of Jupiter” (2001), and the 1998 self-titled album. The Billboard 200 list peaked at No. 6 for the later two releases.

Train’s breakthrough single, “Meet Virginia,” peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the band’s fame was solidified with their sophomore album.

Written on Monahan’s mother’s passing, the eight-times platinum title single “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” included Leonard Cohen’s string orchestrator Paul Buckmaster and Rolling Stones studio pianist Chuck Leavell. It was certified as the best rock song at the Grammys and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard list.

Colin’s drug usage led to his departure from Train in 2003. According to Monahan, Charlie is an amazing bass player, but everyone around him was suffering greatly because of the manner he was handling his discomfort.

He and Hotchkiss got back together in 2015 to form Painbirds, a new band that also included Tom Luce. Together with Joel and Scott Owen of the PawnShop Kings and Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray, he established the Side Deal in 2017.

Tributes Paid on Social Media For Charlie Colin

Train posted a memorial to Colin on their social media accounts on Wednesday. “I fell in love with Charlie Colin, front left, the moment I met him. He was such a lovely man and the friendliest guy. The only logical thing to do would be to form a band, it says.

His distinctive bass playing combined with exquisite guitar work made us known in San Francisco and beyond. He will always hold a special place in my heart. He had his vision, despite my constant attempts to nudge him in my direction. Charlie, you are truly amazing. Proceed to charm those angels to no end,” the unsigned message said.

Colin spoke about his stay in Brussels before he passed away, calling it “officially my favorite city” in an Instagram post from March.

In addition, Colin was the Newport Beach Film Festival’s musical director. Todd Quartararo, a co-founder of the Newport Beach Film Festival, said, “Charlie was a special part of the Newport Beach Film Festival family.” “His heart, generosity, and inventiveness will be sincerely missed.” His sister, dad, and niece all survive him.