Van Conner

Van Conner (March 17, 1967 – January 17, 2023) was an American rock musician, best known as the bassist for Screaming Trees.

Van Conner
Van Conner (left) performing with Patrick Conner (right) in the band VALIS
Van Conner (left) performing with Patrick Conner (right) in the band VALIS
Background information
Born(1967-03-17)March 17, 1967
Apple Valley, California, U.S.
DiedJanuary 18, 2023(2023-01-18) (aged 55)
GenresGrunge, psychedelic rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass, lead guitar
Years active1984–2023
LabelsVelvetone Records, SST, Epic, Small Stone
Formerly of

Career

As a bass player in high school, Conner formed the band Explosive Generation with his brother Gary Lee Conner and Mark Pickerel. That band later evolved into Screaming Trees with the addition of singer Mark Lanegan in 1985.[1] The band moved from their native Ellensburg, Washington to Seattle in the late 1980s to join that city's burgeoning alternative rock scene.[2] Conner played on seven studio albums with Screaming Trees until the band split in 2000.[1]

While he was with Screaming Trees, Conner formed the side project Solomon Grundy, in which he performed lead vocals and guitar. That band released an album in 1990,[3][4] and during that period Conner also joined a live lineup of Dinosaur Jr.[5] He later formed another side project called Gardener, which released an album in 1999.[6] After the breakup of Screaming Trees, Conner worked as a session musician and had formed several additional alternative rock bands, including VALIS[7] and Musk Ox.[8]

Illness and death

In December of 2021, Conner fell into a comatose state after suffering complications from emergency stomach surgery. While hospitalized, Conner also contracted an infection of COVID-19, severely worsening his condition. Conner would continue to struggle with respiratory and mobility issues for the rest of his life.

Conner died from pneumonia on January 17, 2023, at the age of 55.[9][10]

Selected discography

For his work with Screaming Trees, see Screaming Trees discography.

  • Solomon Grundy (Solomon Grundy, 1990)
  • New Dawning Time (Gardener, 1999)
  • Vast Active Living Intelligence System (VALIS, 2002)
  • Head Full of Pills (VALIS, 2004)
  • Dark Matter (VALIS, 2009)
  • Minds Through Space and Time (VALIS, 2012)

References
  1. "Screaming Trees Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  2. Wilding, Philip (June 20, 2016). "Screaming Trees: Grunge's Nearly Men". loudersound. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  3. "Solomon Grundy Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. "Shadows of the Season. Looking Back at Screaming Trees' Sweet Oblivion with Gary Lee Conner". SONIC NEWS. April 21, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  5. Mundy, Chris (April 18, 1991). "Dinosaur Jr. Pull Guitar Rock Back From the Brink". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  6. "Gardener Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  7. Barbrick, Greg (May 17, 2013). "Music Review: VALIS - Minds Through Space and Time [Colored Vinyl Edition]". Seattlepi.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  8. Diamond, Lee J. "Album Review: Valis - Minds Through Space and Time". Heavyplanet.net. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  9. "Van Conner, Screaming Trees Bassist and Co-Founder, Dies at 55". Spin.com. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  10. Starr Bowenbank (January 18, 2023). "Van Conner, Screaming Trees Co-Founder & Bassist, Dies at 55". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
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