Slim Dunlap's health issues explored as The Replacements band member dies aged 73

Well-known musician Slim Dunlap died on December 18, 2024, at the age of 73. The guitarist gained recognition over the years for his contributions to the rock band The Replacements and later began pursuing a solo career.

While Dunalp's cause of death is yet to be confirmed, it was linked to a stroke case that happened back in 2012, as reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune. According to Billboard, Slim Dunlap's family also paid tribute to him in a statement, which revealed that he was at his residence at the time of death, surrounded by his family members.

"We played him his Live at the Turf Club (Thank You Dancers!) CD, and he left us shortly after listening to his version of 'Hillbilly Heaven' – quite poignant. It was a natural decline over the past week. Overall it was due to complications from his stroke," the statement read.

According to a report by Rolling Stone, Dunflap joined The Replacements in 1987 and worked on two albums: Don't Tell a Soul and All Shook Down. In his solo career, Slim had three big projects. He started with The Old New Me, released under Twin/Tone Records in 1993. This was followed by his second album, Times Like This, and a third, Thank You Dancers!

In an interview with Perfect Sound Forever in February 2023, Slim Dunlap recalled when he worked with The Replacements, revealing that he first met Paul Westerberg at the Longhorn Bar. He also addressed his experience of playing with the band:

"It was both exhilarating and depressing – a roller coaster ride. It fulfilled a lot of my dreams and opened doors for me. I'm incredibly grateful to Paul and Tommy and Chris for giving me a chance."

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Slim Dunlap was hospitalized as a result of a stroke in 2012

The Plainview, Minnesota native suffered a stroke a few years ago. In an interview with The Current in 2013, Slim's daughter, Emily Boigenzahn, revealed that her children were at her parents' house, and they were supposed to go ice skating.

However, Emily received a call from her mother, Chrissie, saying that her father was on the ground and could not get up.

"She called 911, and the ambulance came, and we started on a rather harrowing journey, where we realized that my dad had had a massive, massive stroke on the right side of his brain, which left him paralyzed on his left side," Emily said.

Emily also mentioned that Slim Dunlap returned home after being institutionalized for nine months. However, she said, he had to keep visiting the hospital every month because his condition was "critical and fragile." Emily disclosed that her father was also struggling with other health problems, including pneumonia.

Slim was admitted to the ICU in January 2013 due to some other health issues. Notably, The Replacements stepped in to help Dunlap's family since their new EP Songs for Slim arrived at the same time.

A report by The Current at the time stated that around 250 autographed copies of the EP were being auctioned. The bidding price for the first copy was $10,000, followed by the others at between $50 and $500. The profits from the auction were supposed to help Slim Dunlap pay for his medical expenses.

On another occasion last year, Emily contacted Parlour Antiques and Estate Sales owner Sharleen Lindeman to collect funds by selling a few of Slim Dunlap's items so his medical bills could be paid, as per CBS News. The items included a sports coat, the road case from his band's tour, and a dulcimer.