Who was Bill Crook? Tributes pour in as former Spiritbox bassist dies

The music world is mourning the loss of Bill Crook, former bassist of the acclaimed metal band Spiritbox. Crook's bandmate shared the news of his sudden demise. On July 24, 2024, Kai Turmann took to his Instagram and announced the demise of his beloved friend and coworker. Turmann shared the news on behalf of Crook's mother at her request.

"Our dear friend Bill Crook has passed away. There will be lots of memories shared in the coming days, weeks, and months. For now, his Mom has asked me to inform everyone. I'm so sorry to have to share this news with you all. Sending love to everyone who knew and loved Bill," Turmann wrote in an Instagram caption.

Bill Crook was a Canadian musical artist who rose to prominence as a hardcore bassist for the Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox. He served for the band, originally from Victoria, British Columbia, from 2018 to 2022.

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A brief look at Bill Crook's career

The Canadian artist was a bassist and a singer, as he lent his voice to Spiritbox's album Eternal Blue in 2021. The album was a big hit and received massive recognition from the audience for its tracks, including Circle With Me, Holy Roller, Secret Garden, and Silk In The Strings. His powerful bass lines are showcased in live performances of Spiritbox favorites like the Mara Effect.

Furthermore, in his career, Crook has provided backing vocals for two other notable bands, including a Canadian hardcore band, Comeback Kid, and a metalcore band with both American and Canadian members, Misery Signals.

Bill Crook spent most of his career as a bassist. He had been with Spiritbox for four years, and in May 2022, the band announced his departure, noting that there were no "hard feelings," as per NME.

Crook's only and last Instagram post suggested that after departing from Spiritbox, he found a single career. However, the post further revealed that he had been working with Aaron Gillespie, an American musician and a vocalist for the rock band Underoath.

The reel shows that Crook was in Nashville, Tennessee. Moreover, the caption suggested that he had worked for 72 hours, had five mental breakdowns, and made three new songs, which are unreleased for now.

Not much is known about his personal life, but according to his YouTube channel, he enjoyed having parties with friends and peers.

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Heartfelt tributes from the music community on Bill Crook's death

On Wednesday, Kai Turmann, a bandmate of Crook from A Textbook Tragedy, posted a textual picture on Instagram announcing the sudden demise of Crook. He began the post by saying he had "devastating" news to share.

"I'm so profoundly sad to say that our dear friend Bill Crook has passed away. He was a friend to so many and a dear friend to me since we were children. Bill was, and is, loved by so many people, and I'm so I'mredibly sorry to have to share this devastating information with you," Turmann wrote.

"There will be many words and many tears, but for now I just need to get the terrible news out. I'm so sorry. I love you all. I love you, Bill," he added.

Tribute poured (Image via Instagram/@mikestringer)

As the news broke on Wednesday, the music industry and fellow artists took to their social media accounts and paid tribute to Crook. Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante took to her Instagram story and posted a picture of herself with Bill Crook, where they can be seen standing near a roadside, and had a high-five in the picture.

In addition, Pale Chord, a Spiritbox label founded in Los Angeles, California, took to X on July 24, 2024, and suggested that the band needed space to recover from the loss.

"Please give the band and members time and space to process their loss. RIP Bill," label" wrote.

Moreover, Andrew Neufeld, the vocalist for Comeback Kid, took to his Instagram story and said that Bill Crook was very special to him and that Neufeld would never forget him.

"I LOVE "YOU @billcrook ALWAYS HAD YOUR BACK. YOU LOVED ME AND MY BROTHER. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL AND SO LOVED. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU," Neufeld wrote.

Andrew Neufeld on Instagram (Image via Instagram/@andrewjneufeld)

Another Spiritbox member, Mike Stringer, took to his Instagram Story to share an old picture of him with Crook posing for a picture on Bastion Square Street, a historic pedestrian mall in Victoria, British Columbia.

Moreover, Ahren Stringer, a member of Amity Affliction, shared a screenshot of a conversation with Crook from May 2024 in which they discussed leading a sober life.

Ahren Stringer shared (Image via Instagram/@stringdtd)

The reason for Bill Crook's demise is yet to be revealed.