Alec John Such, bassist and founding member of Bon Jovi, dies at 70

New York — Alec John Suchbassist and founding member of iconic rock band Bon Jovi, has died at the age of 70.

The group announced Sunday the death of Such, who was the New Jersey band’s bassist from 1983 to 1994. At this time, there are no details on when or how Such died.

A singer-songwriter’s publicist Jon Bon Jovi he did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

“It was one of the originals”Bon Jovi wrote in a post on Twitter. “As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was an essential part of the formation of the band.”

Bon Jovi credited Such with bringing the band together, noting that he was a childhood friend of the drummer. Tico Torres and that led to the guitarist and composer Richie Sambora to see them perform. Such had played with Sambora in a band called Message.

Born in Yonkers, New York, Such was a veteran figure in New Jersey’s thriving music scene who helped create Bon Jovi.

As manager of the Hunka Bunka Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Such booked Jon Bon Jovi & The Wild Ones before joining the singer-songwriter’s band.

He played with Bon Jovi during the group’s heyday in the 1980s.

Such left the band in 1994, when he was replaced by bassist Hugh McDonald. He later rejoined the band for his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

“When Jon Bon Jovi called me and asked me to be in his band many years ago, I soon realized how serious he was and that he had a vision he wanted to lead us to.”Such said at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “And I’m so glad I was part of that vision.”