Charlie Colin, founding member of the band Train, dies aged 58

Colin reportedly died following a slip in the shower while he was housesitting for a friend

Charlie Colin of Train performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2001. Photograph: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Charlie Colin of Train performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2001. Photograph: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the US pop-rock band Train, best known for their hits including Hey, Soul Sister and Drops of Jupiter, has died aged 58.

His mother reportedly told US outlet TMZ that he died following a slip in the shower while he was housesitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium. His sister confirmed his death to another outlet. The exact cause of death remains unclear.

A post to Train’s official Instagram page said: “When I met Charlie Colin, front left, I fell in love with him. He was THE sweetest guy and what a handsome chap. Let’s make a band that’s the only reasonable thing to do. His unique bass playing a beautiful guitar work helped get folks to notice us in SF and beyond.

“I’ll always have a warm place for him in my heart.

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“I always tried to pull him closer but he had a vision of his own.

“You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels.”

Train, which is fronted by singer Patrick Monahan, formed in San Francisco in the 1990s and the group’s other hits include Drive By and Meet Virginia. Colin, who was one of the original members, played bass for the band and in 2022 he told the Power Players With Dan Clark podcast that he “technically left Train in 2005”. – PA