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

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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