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Original No Doubt member dies in motorcycle accident: Gabriel Gonzalez was 57

It's a sad day for fans of the ska dance band No Doubt. According to reports, Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez has died at the age of 57. He was the original trumpeter of No Doubt and is also known and loved for his contributions to Californian bands The Untouchables and Save Ferris.

The announcement comes from a family representative who confirmed Gonzalez's death to SPIN Magazine. According to the representative, Gonzalez died in a motorcycle accident near Hermosa Beach, California, on September 12. No other details about his death have been released to the public.

It's a heartbreaking and unexpected death, especially because Gonzalez had been giving interviews just months before. In January, he spoke to SPIN about the death of his No Doubt bandmate John Spense, as well as the origins of the band itself.

“We all kind of knew we were doing something different, and being part of the mod ska scene in the early/mid '80s was a pretty spectacular thing,” Gonzalez said fondly of No Doubt.

In memory of Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez: A ska legacy that leaves no doubt

Born on July 11, 1967, Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez was a first-generation Cuban American. He began his musical career as a trumpet player in his high school band. There he met Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric Stefani. He soon joined the now legendary ska-punk band No Doubt. After playing with No Doubt in the 1980s, he attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

In addition to his work with No Doubt, The Untouchables and Save Ferris, Gonzalez has also performed with The Skeletones and Kingston A Go Go. He is considered one of the most famous trumpeters of the ska-punk movement of the 1980s and 1990s.

Gonzalez is the co-writer of several of No Doubt's hits, including “Paulina” and “Total Hate '95.” He is also said to have helped compose and write some of No Doubt's earlier works, many of which were not officially released.

Gonzalez leaves behind three children. We wish his family, friends, fans and loved ones all the best during this difficult time.

Photo via Gabriel Gonzalez's Facebook page

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