Andrew Bodnar dead: This Is 40 star dies as devastated tributes flood in
The legendary bass player also worked with Elvis Costello.
Iconic bass player Andrew Bodnar, who appeared in the Judd Apatow comedy This is 40 playing himself, has died at the age of 71. No cause of death has been revealed but the news was confirmed by singer Graham Parker from Graham Parker and The Rumour, which Andrew was a member of from 1975 to 1980. Taking to X he penned: "Very hard news to take this morning. Andrew Bodnar, our dearest friend and Rumour bass player of genius brilliance has died. RIP, Andrew."
Clapham native Andrew also worked with Graham Parker on his various solo albums and rejoined the group when they reunited in 2011 to record two new albums, and continued to tour the UK, US and Europe with them through to late 2015. Outside of his work with Graham, Andrew was also known playing the distinctive reggae-flavoured bassline on Elvis Costello's 1977 classic hit Watching the Detectives which hit number 15 in the UK.
READ MORE: 'Heartbroken' Carry On legend leads tributes following star's death
READ MORE: 'Devastated' Kelly Osbourne pays tribute as beloved star dies aged 46
He also co-wrote and played bass on Nick Lowe's I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass, which reached number 7 on the UK charts in 1978.
From 1982 until 1983 her was the touring bassist for chart topping group the Thompson Twins' as they promoted their hit album Quick Step & Side Kick. He also worked with artists including The Pretenders, and Tina Turner.
Tributes flooded in to the star as the news of his death broke with fellow musicians and fans paying their respects. "Writing on Facebook one commented: "His great bass lines on Watching The Detectives would be enough to warrant him a place in rock history. A real natural RIP."
"Sad to say that Andrew Bodnar, really great bass player, lovely person and great friend has gone on the tourbus in the sky. What a loss! RIP Andrew!" another added.
A third chimed in: "RIP Andrew Bodnar. I'll never forget those sold out gigs of Graham Parker and The Rumour at Leeds University Refectory in April '78 and March '79; the whole place was jumping, every time!"
A fourth shared: "The saddest news, I had the pleasure of seeing Andrew many times with the Rumour & also at the library in Malton. He was a wonderful human being."
A fifth lamented: "The Rumour were brilliant. I'm heartbroken "Max" (is a) masterpiece. Andrew was awesome and a very nice man."
Meanwhile a sixth penned: "Sorry to hear of the passing of bassist Andrew Bodnar RIP So much fun sharing a bus with him (when) we were all touring together in 1977 in the UK Graham Parker and the Rumour and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. What a tour it was! God Bless . Our condolences to Andrew's family friends and fans."
