Bruce Waibel Explained

Bruce Waibel
Birth Name:Bruce Kenneth Waibel
Birth Date:9 July 1958
Birth Place:Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
Death Place:Florida
Origin:Dover, New Jersey, U.S.
Instrument:bass guitar, vocals
Genre:Rock
Occupation:bassist
Years Active:1982–2003
Associated Acts:FireHouse
Gregg Allman

Bruce Kenneth Waibel (July 9, 1958  - September 2, 2003) was an American musician who played for several artists and bands. He was last remembered for playing bass guitar and touring with rock band FireHouse. He died in 2003 and his death was ruled a suicide.[1]

Biography

Bruce Waibel was born on July 9, 1958, in Livingston, New Jersey.[2] When he was still a child, he moved to Florida. He started playing guitar when he was 9 years old.[1]

In 1982, Waibel joined the Gregg Allman band as a roadie. Eventually he started playing guitar but switched to bass guitar during his last seven years with the band. He recorded three albums with them, earning two gold records.

Waibel also performed with Marshall Tucker, Captain Beyond, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rick Derringer and others. He met guitarist Bill Leverty (guitarist of FireHouse) in 2000 and was invited to audition for the band that year. He played with them for three years, recording one album (O2). He left the band in 2003 because he wanted to spend more time with his family. He also played bass on Leverty's first solo album, Wanderlust.

On September 2, 2003, Waibel was found dead at a friend's home in Florida. He had two children: Max Waibel (born in 1998) and Kimmerly Waibel.

Notes and References

  1. News: Former FireHouse bassist Bruce Waibel dies at age 45. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 2003-09-06. 2019-04-23.
  2. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=86269862 Bruce Kenneth Waibel Obituary