Afghan Whigs guitarist and longtime New Orleans resident Dave Rosser passed away yesterday at the age of 50. He was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer in October of last year.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our friend, brother and inspiration,” reads a post on the Afghan Whigs’ Facebook page. “Dave Rosser passed away peacefully last evening surrounded by love. Thank you to all who kept him in their hearts. He is forever in ours.”
Rosser, who called New Orleans home for over 25 years, became an official member of the Afghan Whigs in 2014, and played on their recent albums Do to the Beast (2014) and In Spades (2017). Prior to joining the band, he was a frequent collaborator with Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli as a member of his The Twilight Singers and The Gutter Twins projects. Rosser also performed with Marc Broussard, My Jerusalem, Mark Lanegan and many others.
A number of star-studded benefit shows were organized last year following Rosser’s diagnosis, including a run of concerts in which The Afghan Whigs performed their classic album Black Love in its entirety. Those shows featured appearances by Ani DiFranco, Moby, Eagles of Death Metal, Josh Homme, King James & The Special Men, Morning 40 Federation, C.C. Adcock & Tee Lafayette Marquis, and many more.
