June 22, 2005
Karl Mueller
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 Hüsker Dü. Just as grunge rock began to reach mainstream audiences, however, Soul Asylum signed record contracts with A&M and Columbia and released the 1992 album "Grave Dancers Union." The timing was perfect. "Grave Dancers Union" reached No. 11 on The Billboard 200 and sold more than 2 million copies on the strength of the hit singles "Runaway Train," "Somebody to Shove" and "Black Gold." "Runaway Train" also won a Grammy Award that year for Best Rock Song.
Soul Asylum played at President Bill Clinton's 1993 inaugural ball, then returned to the studio to record their 1995 follow-up, "Let Your Dim Light Shine," which went platinum. When a flood struck Grand Forks, N.D., in 1997 and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, the band performed at the local high schools' prom. A recording of that show, "After the Flood: Live at the Grand Forks Prom June 28, 1997," was released last fall.
Doctors discovered a large, inoperable tumor between Mueller's trachea and esophagus in May 2004. While undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he still managed to make it into the studio to play bass on all of the tracks recorded for Soul Asylum's upcoming album. The band is in negotiations to release the as-yet-untitled CD on a major label in 2006.
Last October, the Minneapolis music community threw a benefit concert in his honor to pay for medical expenses. Mueller participated in a full set of music at the event alongside Paul Westerberg of the Replacements, Bob Mould and Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü, the reunited Gear Daddies and the other members of Soul Asylum.
It was his last gig.
• Listen to a Tribute From Minnesota Public Radio
Posted on June 22, 2005 6:08 AM
Download MP3s by Soul Asylumkarl mueller what a legend
Posted by daniel on September 9, 2005 11:12 PMSoul 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.
Posted by Robert K on November 9, 2005 3:00 PMI 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.
Posted by Elizabeth on January 30, 2006 4:30 PMIn the name of all the French fans of SOUL ASYLUM, thank you Karl.
You were a genius. RIP
Posted by Sprite on May 6, 2006 6:22 AMSoul 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.
Posted by rbotboy on July 11, 2006 4:26 PM