Kerry Turman, The Temptations Bassist, Dies at 59

Musician passed away after performing at a show in Missouri

The Temptations
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Kerry Turman, the bassist for The Temptations, died on Sunday. He was 59.

The musician was pronounced dead after performing at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Saturday night, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. The Temptations had been playing on the road with the Beach Boys for the Surf & Soul Tour.

The group announced his death via their official Facebook page, with a message saying: “The Temptations lost a dear member of our family, as bass player Kerry Turman has passed away. Rest In Peace, much love, much respect.”

According to the group’s manager, Shelly Berger, Turman had been with them for the past 33 years.

“It’s incredibly shocking, as we were just chatting and hanging around backstage Saturday night in Cape Girardeau,” Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love said in a Facebook post. “KT (Turman) was a gentle giant with incredible talent. He played bass on songs that will forever be part of our American songbook for the last 33 years. He was always so kind and jovial … His smile and spirit will be missed.”

The cause of death will not be determined for several weeks, but the Cape Girardeau County coroner said Turman died from natural causes.

Before joining The Temptations, Turman played bass for other artists, including Roy Ayers and Garry Glenn.

See the group’s Facebook post below.

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