Jeff LaBar Cause of Death: How the Cinderella Guitarist Died at 58

Jeff LaBar, the former guitarist of the glam metal band Cinderella, passed away on July 14, 2021, at the age of 58. His death shocked and saddened many fans and fellow musicians, who paid tribute to his legacy and talent. However, the exact cause of his death remains unknown, as no official statement has been released by his family or representatives. Here are some of the details and speculations about Jeff LaBar’s cause of death.

A Tragic Discovery

According to The Sun, Jeff LaBar’s ex-wife, Gaile LaBar-Bernhardt, found him unconscious inside his home in Nashville, Tennessee, after not being able to reach him for days. She reportedly had a key to his apartment and decided to check on him when he did not answer her calls or texts. She then called 911 and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Gaile LaBar-Bernhardt was Jeff’s second wife, whom he married in 1986 and divorced in 2004. They had a son together, Sebastian LaBar, who is also a musician and plays guitar for the band Tantric. Sebastian confirmed his father’s death on social media, writing: “My father, my hero, my idol, passed away today. I’m currently at a loss for words. I love you pop!”

A History of Substance Abuse and Depression

Although the official cause of Jeff LaBar’s death has not been revealed, some sources have suggested that it could be related to his long-standing issues with substance abuse and depression. In a 2016 interview with Another FN Podcast, Jeff admitted that he had struggled with alcoholism for most of his career, and that it was one of the reasons why Cinderella stopped making music and touring.

“I can only speculate, but I believe it’s all my fault. It’s no secret that I’ve had a drinking problem,” he said. “And it showed its ugly face on one of those [cruises that Cinderella played]. I guess that’s what caused a rift… When I fell out on one of those cruise ships in front of everybody — like, basically O.D.’d — that’s when the band, and mostly Tom [Keifer], took notice and was, like, ‘What the fuck?’”

Jeff also revealed that he had been diagnosed with clinical depression and bipolar disorder, and that he was taking medication for his mental health. He said that he had tried to quit drinking several times, but always relapsed. He also blamed himself for ruining his marriages and relationships with his family and friends.

“I have a history of losing things when I drink too much,” he said. “I’ve lost two marriages because of it. I’ve lost a lot of money because of it. I’ve lost friendships because of it. I’ve lost guitars because of it.”

A Legacy of Music and Influence

Despite his personal troubles, Jeff LaBar was widely respected and admired as a musician and a guitarist. He joined Cinderella in 1985, replacing Michael Schermick, who left the band to form Britny Fox. He played on all four albums that Cinderella released: Night Songs (1986), Long Cold Winter (1988), Heartbreak Station (1990), and Still Climbing (1994). He also contributed to the band’s songwriting, co-writing songs such as “The More Things Change”, “One for Rock & Roll”, and “Make Your Own Way”.

Cinderella was one of the most successful glam metal bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling over 15 million albums worldwide and scoring hits such as “Nobody’s Fool”, “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)”, “Shelter Me”, and “Gypsy Road”. The band toured with acts such as Bon Jovi, David Lee Roth, Poison, Scorpions, Warrant, and Winger. They also performed at major festivals such as Monsters of Rock and Moscow Music Peace Festival.

Jeff LaBar was influenced by 1970s British rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, UFO, and Thin Lizzy. He also enjoyed the psychedelic music of Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, and Genesis. He had a distinctive style of playing guitar, combining bluesy riffs with heavy distortion and melodic solos. He used various guitars throughout his career, including Gibson Les Pauls, Fender Stratocasters, Kramer Pacers, ESP Eclipsees, and Dean MLs.

Besides Cinderella, Jeff LaBar also worked on other musical projects. He formed a band called Naked Beggars with his former bandmate Eric Brittingham in 2004. They released two albums: Naked Beggars (2004) and Spit It Out (2006). He also released a solo album called One for the Road in 2014, on which he played all the instruments except the drums. He also collaborated with other artists such as Tom Keifer, Sebastian Bach, Bret Michaels, and L.A. Guns.

Following his death, many musicians and celebrities expressed their condolences and praised his talent and influence. Some of them included Tom Keifer, Eric Brittingham, Fred Coury, Lzzy Hale, Slash, Nikki Sixx, Dee Snider, Michael Sweet, Eddie Trunk, and Ricky Warwick.

Conclusion

Jeff LaBar was a talented and influential guitarist who left a mark on the glam metal scene with his band Cinderella. He also had a solo career and worked with other artists. He died at the age of 58 in his home in Nashville, Tennessee. The cause of his death is still unknown, but he had a history of substance abuse and depression. He is survived by his son Sebastian and his wife Debinique. He will be remembered by his fans and peers as a great musician and a kind person.

Doms Desk

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