Karl Mueller, bass player for Soul Asylum, died on Friday, June 17th, in his Minneapolis home. He was 41.

Mueller was diagnosed with throat cancer 13 months ago, and the past year has been a series of ups and downs for the performer’s health. In October, a benefit featuring Soul Asylum, Paul Westeberg, and Bob Mould and Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü, raised money to help relieve Karl and wife Mary Beth of medical expenses.

Minneapolis-based Soul Asylum, a mainstay of the Twin Cities music scene, formed in 1981 as Loud Fast Rules. The band achieved national success with 1992’s multi-platinum album, Grave Dancer’s Union. “Runaway Train” reached number five on the singles charts, and the band played at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration.

Though not as recognizable as vocalist Dave Pirner, Mueller is equally vital to Soul Asylum’s sound. His technique is rhythmically stabilizing and harmonically foundational, the sort of technique every rock band wants in a bass player.

Karl Mueller played a key role forming the sound of a band that helped cement the Twin Cities’ position as a hub for great music. His illness and early death are saddening, and his impact on music in Minnesota will be felt for a long time to come.