Bob “Slim" Dunlap Tribute and Memorial

Bob “Slim” Dunlap (August 14, 1951 – December 18, 2024) was a Minnesota-based guitarist and singer-songwriter whose music career spanned four decades. He was known for his brilliant and unique guitar playing and tone. He was an integral part of the burgeoning Minneapolis punk and new wave music scene in the mid-1970s, which developed into the music heyday of the 1980s at First Avenue and beyond. He played with The Replacements from 1987 to 1991. Drawing from his experience as a touring musician, his skillful storytelling evolved into fine songwriting. In the mid-1990s, he released two solo albums to critical acclaim. Bruce Springsteen is a fan, recently covering one of his songs. In an interview with NPR in 2014, Bruce said: “Slim Dunlap is fantastic…he made two fabulous rock records that were just really, deeply soulful and beautiful. Check out the two Slim Dunlap records because they’re just so beautiful, they’re just beautiful rock ’n’ roll records. I found them to be deeply touching and emotional”. The Slim Dunlap Band was booked consistently both locally and on the road for twenty years, making many friends and fans along the way. 

Bob “Slim” Dunlap had a stroke in 2012, which ended his musical career, but not his love of music. He maintained a positive attitude and his sense of humor, and continued to endear himself to everyone until his big heart gave out. “I’d like to stick around awhile, but if I died tomorrow, you could say I was a happy man.”