Karl H. Mueller, the bass guitarist of the grunge rock band Soul Asylum, died on June 17 after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer. He was 41.
The Minneapolis native was a teenager when he visited a friend in London and became utterly fascinated by punk rock. When Mueller returned home, he hooked his classmates onto the music too. In 1981, Mueller joined forces with drummer Dave Pirner and guitarist Dan Murphy to form the punk band Loud Fast Rules. Over the next three years, Pirner switched to rhythm guitar and vocals, the trio hired the first of several drummers and the band’s name changed to Soul Asylum.
Soul Asylum recorded four albums and received airplay on college radio stations in the mid- to late-1980s, but was mostly known as the opening act for Twin Cities’ denizens the Replacements and H
June 22, 2005 by
Karl Mueller
Categories: Musicians
karl mueller what a legend
Soul Asylum has made some of the best music since the start of “modern rock” (post beatles). The evolution from “Say What you Will…” to “Candy from a Stranger” has been amazing. Underappreciated and misunderstood, Soul Asylum is a tribute to humanity. I mean that in all sincerity. With that said, I dont think any of it would have been possible without Karl, who understood what being a Bass Player and a wonderfull person, really meant. Thanks Karl.
I knew the boys from Soul Asylum from way back when, in the late 80s. I was particularly fond of Karl since we discovered that we shared the exact same birthday– that, and he was such an unassuming, gentle guy. I’ve always remembered him fondly, and will continue to do so.
In the name of all the French fans of SOUL ASYLUM, thank you Karl.
You were a genius. RIP
Soul Asylum’s 1988 “Hang Time” Album was the influence that started my band and Karl was the reason I chose to play bass. You are missed. Looking forward to the NEW Soul Asylum Album.