This June 5, 2010 file photo shows Bob Casale performing live at The 2010 KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, Calif.
Bob Casale, former guitarist for the new wave band whose hit song “Whip It” topped the Billboard charts in 1980, died Monday of apparent heart failure at age 61.
Casale’s brother and fellow band member Gerald confirmed the news on Tuesday, saying in a statement that his younger brother’s death was “sudden” and “a total shock.” He added in a Facebook post, “as an original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me from the beginning … He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got.”
Devo also posted this tweet:
[tweet https://twitter.com/DEVO/status/435878884421013504%5D
[AP]