Charlie Colin, the founding bassist of the American pop-rock band Train, known for hits like "Drops of Jupiter" and "Meet Virginia," has tragically passed away at the age of 58. Colin's mother confirmed to TMZ that the musician died after slipping in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium. His body was discovered by the homeowners upon their return from travel after five days.
Born and raised in Virginia, Colin spent his early years before moving with his family to Newport Beach, California. He later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston before relocating to Singapore to write and play jingles. His journey eventually led him to San Francisco, where he formed the band Train with Pat Monahan, Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford, and Scott Underwood.
Train enjoyed significant commercial success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, with their first Top 20 hit "Meet Virginia" in 1999, and the triple-platinum album "Drops of Jupiter" in 2001. However, by the time the band reached its hit-making peak in 2009 with "Hey, Soul Sister," Colin had already left the band in 2003 due to struggles with substance abuse.
"Charlie is one incredible bass player, but he was in a lot of pain, and the way he was dealing with it was very painful for everyone else around him," Monahan said in a 2017 interview with NBC News.
After leaving Train, Colin continued his music career, collaborating with Matchbox Twenty’s Scott Underwood in a band called Food Pill, and playing in subsequent bands called Painbirds and The Side Deal. He also worked as a conservatory teacher in Brussels and was involved in various recording projects.
In addition to his music career, Colin was an art collector and an advocate for unhoused artists. His death has left a void in the music industry, and he will be remembered for his significant contributions to the world of rock music.
A tribute to Colin appeared on the official Facebook and social media pages for the band Train. "You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels," it read. The exact cause and date of Colin's death have not yet been determined.
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