The world lost another legendary guitarist today (Wednesday, July 14). Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar has reportedly died at the age of 58.
LaBar was without a doubt most famous for playing guitar as a part of the glam metal band Cinderella. He first joined the band back in 1985, replacing the original guitarist, Michael Schermick, also known as Michael Kelly Smith. LaBar remained as the band’s lead guitarist until their breakup in 2017.
However, it was LaBar’s son, Sebastian LaBar, who shared the heartwrenching news on social media late on Wednesday night. Sebastian is a talented guitarist in his own right. He plays in the bands Mach22 and Tantric.
“So I just got the call… @jefflabar, my father, my hero, my idol, passed away today. I’m currently at a loss for words. I love you pop!”
Jeff LaBar’s son also asked his fans to share all of the pictures and videos they had to help him remember his dad.
“If you could, please share pictures or videos of all the fun times we all had with my dad. It would be greatly appreciated.”
The news was also confirmed by Jeff LaBar’s father, Bob LaBar. He updated his friends and family about his son’s passing in a post on Facebook.
“We have been told that our son Jeff LaBar has passed away in Nashville,” he wrote.
Jeff LaBar Blamed Himself for the Breakup of Cinderella
Cinderella hasn’t released a new studio album since the 1994 album Still Climbing. The band did start playing shows here and there starting again in 2010. However, they were mostly inactive leading up to their official breakup in 2017.
And back in 2016, Jeff LaBar accepted blame for why Cinderalla broke up. He explained that he had a drinking problem and that is what caused a rift between his fellow bandmates.
“I can only speculate, but I believe it’s my fault. It’s no secret that I had a drinking problem,” LaBar told Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley. “It showed its ugly face on one of those [cruises that Cinderella played]. I guess that’s what caused a rift. When I fell out on one of those cruise ships in front of everybody. Like, basically O.D.’d — That’s when the band, and mostly Tom [band frontman Tom Keifer], took notice and was like, ‘What the f***?'”
LaBar went on to say that he was still in contact with his other bandmates. As a matter of fact, he lived only 20 minutes away from bass player Eric Brittingham. It was only Keifer that he no longer talked to.
“It’s just Tom and I that don’t talk anymore,” LaBar admitted. “And I can only speculate that he’s very disappointed and doesn’t wanna see me die. He doesn’t wanna witness me dying.”
