Dan "Bee" Spears, longtime Willie Nelson bassist, dead at 62
Dan "Bee" Spears, who played bass in Willie Nelson's band for more than 40 years, died Thursday night (12/8) after he fell while exiting his motor home.
"We are deeply saddened by the death of Family member Dan "Bee" Spears, longtime friend and bassist for Willie Nelson and Family," said a statement posted on Nelson's website. "We are still in shock and gathering details as the day continues. He apparently died of accidental exposure at his property near Nashville, Tenn."
Spears joined Nelson's band in 1968, when he was just 19 years old. Before hooking up with Nelson on a more-or-less permanent basis, he played with other country heavyweights including Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark and Don Gibson.
The native of San Antonio, TX, also recorded on many of Nelson's albums, including "The Red-Headed Stranger" and "Always on My Mind."
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