Charlie Colin, the bassist and a founding member of the rock band Train, has passed away at 58. Colin’s sister, Carolyn Stephens, confirmed on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 that he passed away after slipping and falling in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium. His death was discovered only when his friend returned from a trip, and it is uncertain when exactly he died.
Colin’s early years were spent in Southern California, where he nurtured his passion for music. He later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After college, he joined a band called “Apostles” with guitarist Jimmy Stafford and singer Rob Hotchkiss. When the band disbanded, Colin spent a year in Singapore writing jingles, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to his craft.
In the early 1990s, Colin, Hotchkiss, and Stafford relocated to San Francisco, forming the band Train with singer Pat Monahan. Colin brought in drummer Scott Underwood, solidifying the group. Their collaboration marked the beginning of Train’s journey to stardom.
Train’s debut album, released in 1998, featured the hit single “Meet Virginia,” which broke into the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. However, their sophomore album, “Drops of Jupiter,” released in 2001, catapulted them to fame. The title track, featuring work from the Rolling Stones’ session pianist Chuck Leavell and string orchestrator Paul Buckmaster, won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song. Monahan penned the song about his mother’s passing, infusing it with a personal depth that struck a chord with many fans.
Despite the band’s success, Colin’s journey with Train was not without challenges. He left the band in 2003 due to substance abuse issues. Reflecting on this period, Monahan noted, “Charlie is one incredible bass player, but he was in a lot of pain, and how he dealt with it was very painful for everyone else around him.”
After leaving Train, Colin continued to pursue music. In 2015, he reunited with Hotchkiss to form a new band called Painbirds. In 2017, he joined forces with Sugar Ray’s Stan Frazier and the PawnShop Kings’ Joel and Scott Owen to create another band, the Side Deal. Colin’s commitment to music remained steadfast, and his influence continued to be felt across various projects.
Colin also served as the musical director of the Newport Beach Film Festival. Todd Quartararo, co-founder of the festival, described Colin as “a special part of the Newport Beach Film Festival family” whose “heart, compassion, and creativity will surely be missed.”
His final months were spent in Brussels, a city he had grown to love. In a March Instagram post, he referred to Brussels as “officially my favorite city.”
Train honored Colin on social media, saying, “Meeting Charlie Colin was love at first sight. He was incredibly sweet and strikingly handsome. Forming a band seemed like the only logical step. His distinctive bass playing and guitar skills gained us recognition in San Francisco and beyond. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Despite efforts to bring him closer, he followed his own path. You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm those angels.”
Colin is survived by his parents, sister, and niece. His legacy in the music world and the hearts of those who knew him remains indelible.
