Obit: John Regan, Bassist For Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, Dead at 71

John Regan, a bassist for rock legends Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, died on April 5th, 2023 at the age of 71. We honor his memory and celebrate his life and accomplishments.

April 7, 2023

April 11, 2023

A black and white photo of John Regan playing his bass at a concert.

John Regan, a bassist for rock legends Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, died on April 7th, 2023 at the age of 71. He played in many music acts, notably for James Taylor, Jeff Beck, and Billy Joel. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Merring Regan, close friends, and devoted fans of his performances.

Early Musical Career

John Regan was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 12th, 1951. As a young man he displayed incredible musical talent. From the age 15 he was playing with the likes of Grammy-award winning singer Roberta Flack and the country singer Roger Miller.

In 1978, he joined the band of one of the most beloved guitarists of all time, Peter Frampton, who comfortably settled into the Englishman's bass style. John also toured with Frampton for nearly eighteen years as part of his Peter Frampton Band where he also served as a music director.

Later Successes

John Regan later played with other idols such as Bruce Springsteen, Foreigner, and Alice Cooper. He would join the immensely popular glam metal musician Ace Frehley, former lead guitar player for Kiss, and serve as the bassist and musical director for the Frehley's Comet group until 1989. John Regan provided the bass for Frehley's first solo album titled, “Kiss”, released in 1987.

Throughout his career, Regan was known as a consummate professional. His love of music and respect for his colleagues created an atmosphere that allowed him to play some of the most influential music of his generation.

Legacy

John Regan will forever be remembered as a master of his trade and a consummate professional. His talents were a delight to both friends and audiences alike. A statement released by his wife, Cathy Merring-Regan, shared her heartfelt thanks to all those who respected him and supported his music throughout the years: “Your kind words and memories of John’s musical contributions touched us deeply and will be remembered forever.”

John Regan was an influential figure within the rock music scene, and he will be deeply missed.

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