Original Van Halen Bassist Mark Stone Has Passed Away

After a battle with cancer, former Van Halen bassist Mark Stone has died. His death has been confirmed by Mark’s brother, Brad Stone, via Instagram Saturday, Sept 26th.

 

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My beloved brother Mark passed this morning. #markstone #vanhalen #fanhalen

A post shared by Brad Stone (@balboabrad) on Sep 26, 2020 at 1:26pm PDT

Mark Stone played for Van Halen when they were still going as Mammoth from 1972 until 1974.  Stone was playing with the Van Halen brothers Eddie and Alex at that time, before David Lee Roth joined the band in 1974. Mammoth then became Van Halen.

Just got the very sad news that Mark Stone, who played bass with the Van Halen brothers in Genesis, Mammoth, and Van Halen between 1970-1974, has passed away.

Mark helped lay the foundation the band we all love. RIP. Condolences to his wife and all those who loved him. pic.twitter.com/xKQ2f9sKcM

— Greg Renoff (@GregRenoff) September 27, 2020

Stone was torn between continuing school or diving headfirst playing the music of Van Halen professionally in 1974, so his bandmates thought it was best that they look for a new bassist. That is when Michael Anthony replaced him, but his time with the group wasn’t forgotten.

Sad news. #VanHalen‘s original bassist MARK STONE has passed away. https://t.co/F9GlgnTdL6 #RIP pic.twitter.com/OOKRmv6z07

— Van Halen News Desk (@VanHalenNews) September 27, 2020

Mark Stone was there in the beginning with Van Halen, and he’ll certainly be missed. RIP.