Canadian musician Rich Priske, bass player in the Matthew Good Band, died Saturday. He was 52.
According to friends, Priske suffered a heart attack.
Priske played on the last two studio albums from the Matthew Good Band and on Good’s first three solo albums.
“My deepest condolences go out to his friends and family,” Good wrote in an Instagram post. “Rest In Peace Rich.”
Former Matthew Good Band guitarist Dave Genn, now in 54-40, remembered Priske as a “true talent” who was “solid as f**k on record, on stage, in person.”
In a Facebook post, Genn shared: “He was the guy sitting beside me in the van, the diner, the s**thole dressing room encouraging me to ‘Let It Rock!’ for a decade. We shared the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but mostly we shared laughs.
“What amazing, surreal, indescribable times we had. RIP my friend. You Let It Rock and left a huge mark.”
View this post on Instagram
Rich RockWith a tender heart, overflowing in gratitude and undying admiration, I wish for you to Rest In Peace, Gentle Giant. You remain A Tower of Power, and have rocked the entire planetleaving us all better for having spent even a minute in your company. My entire heart goes out to your family, your friends and your bandmates, and all your devoted fansBig SVT, and heavy Thunderbird, along with your enormous heart and generous friendliness, touched all whom ever saw you, or were blessed to know you. It was life-changing for me to be in Chrome Dog with you, James, Darrell and Bill (and sometimes Bryan), and I treasure all you taught me in our early tour survivals. You coached me in every band hockey pool, and always took me under your wing when the going got rough✊ When you came along for my first “solo artist” tours of Europe and America, it was validating and meaningful to me to share the stage with you As you went on to shine in Lick The Pole, The Real McKenzies, Sex With Nixon, Art Bergman, ShoCore, MGB, among so many other lucky punks who got the chance to play and tour with you, my admiration for you always grew. And, Dear Rich, I look forward to sharing the stage with you again, many more crazy nights, sometime on the Other SideMay Peace Be Upon You Forever More, Rocker #blessings #richpriske #richrock #restinpeace #restinpower #everybodylovedyousomuch #youwillbemissed #loveandlight #ohyeah #canadianrockgod #canadianrocklegend #canadianbassplayerextraordinaire #extrodinaire #rockgod #rockstar #coolcat #yougotemonthebottom #bassguitar #chromedogphoto
A post shared by Bif Naked (@bifnakedofficial) on Jul 12, 2020 at 2:11pm PDT
Priske, a Vancouver native who was known as Rich Rock, also performed with acts like Bif Naked, Art Bergmann and the Real McKenzies.
Barbara Sedun, a former executive at EMI Music Publishing Canada, said on Facebook she was “heartbroken” to learn of Priske’s death. “As long as I can remember he’s been synonymous with the Vancouver music scene,” she wrote. “Always a commanding presence on stage. Gone way too soon.”
This article has been updated since it was first published.