Eric Wagner (TROUBLE / THE SKULL / LID)

[Ravenpride]

R.I.P. Eric Wagner. I am very, very sad that you have left us, my friend. You are in heaven now with God. Your amazing lyrics will always be with me and give me strength. Your great vocals and music will live on forever! I was a big fan of Trouble years before I even heard Candlemass. You sing the truth on the best album in the world: Trouble - Psalm 9.
I encourage everyone to listen to the amazing and heavy music on that album and read your lyrics- it’s poetry!
I met you many times and you were always friendly, calm, and cool. I am very happy that we became friends and got to hang out for some drinks and laughs… good times! My condolences to your family and friends.

[Ravenpride]

Chicago doom metal legends TROUBLE have paid tribute to their late singer Eric Wagner who died over the weekend at the age of 62.

Earlier today (Tuesday, August 24), TROUBLE guitarist Bruce Franklin, who co-founded the band in 1979, released the following statement via social media: "We were all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our old friend and former bandmate, Eric Wagner.

"I am struggling with how to describe the complex relationship we had together, in just a few paragraphs. A person's life deserves the fullness of a book, but I will try to convey things in brief form.

"I met Eric when I was 16 and he was 18. We played in our first band together and even though he hadn't realized it yet, I saw the potential that he had. We saw a lot of things the same way, which led us to ditch the band we were in and look for something more serious. We found Rick's band TROUBLE, who were looking for a lead vocalist and guitarist. Those next couple of years produced the sound and early songs of TROUBLE, that you would all come to know and love. Eric definitely played a big part with his unique lyrics and visions for album artwork, along with his eventual iconic image fronting the band.

"On a more personal note, we could all tell some great stories of things Eric used to say that would make us all laugh until we cried. You had to be there and if you were, you know what I'm talking about. I'll also never forget the hours upon hours that Eric and I would spend in his apartment, sometimes just talking about tv shows, movies, or sports. Other times, talking seriously about lyrics, songs, and band direction.

"Eric grew from an aspiring lyric writer and novice singer to become a serious lyricist and kind of poet. When the band hit its peak, Eric had fully realized his potential as a singer and lyricist. This helped to catapult TROUBLE to new heights and made forever fans out of thousands of you. Eric was what musicians call a 'lifer'. He made music his life's mission. He was always working on the next thing and God knows he wasn't doing it for the money.

"It's a tough thing to accept that a close friend is gone and you will never see them again. We all will have to get by with our memories and Eric's bountiful legacy of music through 5 decades.

"God bless and keep our brother Eric.

"Rest in Peace

"Bruce Franklin on behalf of TROUBLE".

[Ravenpride]

Upon awakening yesterday morning to begin celebrating my wife’s birthday with her, we were first met with news of the tragic loss of Eric Wagner. His passing ripped through the remaining artists and fans that had yet to leave Psycho Las Vegas. Just a few days ago I was hoping to see Eric and The Skull joining us all at the festival, and here we are now mourning his passing. So many tears followed, but more love and great memories eventually began to take over the conversations.

Eric was one of a kind; a brilliant lyricist with a grand voice that was unmistakable. He was an influence on me more than I can say, and singing his songs will continue to be an honor as well as a pleasure. Although we had only properly met once, Eric reached out to me when I officially joined Trouble with these encouraging and kind words. I cannot tell you what that means to me as a fan. But as someone that is always going to be under a microscope for occupying the spot where he once stood, it really meant a lot to me. I’ll never forget that.

I could go on and on, but I just want to wrap this tribute to one of my heroes up with some love. I want to send peace, condolences, and wishes of comfort for his family and closest friends. Thank you, Eric, for helping to bring us a soundtrack for our lives. And thank you for welcoming me into the Trouble legacy when you did. It made my ride much more enjoyable, please believe that.

“Where all the flowers are
Here to greet the sun
Oh no, the stars are gone
I know we’ll see them later on”

-Eric Wagner

#ericwagner #troubleband #theskull

[Ravenpride]

Eric Theodore Wagner was 62 years old when he passed away while on tour with his band The Skull in Fort Worth, Texas on August 22, 2021. He was born in Aurora, Illinois on April 24, 1959 and had been residing in Geneva, Illinois, but was planning to move to New Mexico to live with his girlfriend Janice Landry at the end of August. He was born to and preceded in death by his parents Adolf and Elizabeth Wagner.

Eric was an extremely talented musician and song writer and was well known throughout the rock community for his influence and involvement over the past 40+ years. Eric’s passion for music radiated through him and affected every aspect of his life. His endeavors with music allowed him to travel the world and touch the lives of so many with his profound lyrics and infamous voice. He was most known for his role in the band Trouble and is considered to have been a prominent force in the metal music scene during his time.
Over the years he played in many different bands, including LID, The Skull, and Blackfinger, as well as having his own solo music career. Eric was extremely spiritual and expressed that through his song writing and lyrics, earning him a beloved following. He will live on as a legend in his own right. Along with his love for music, Eric was also an avid Sports fan (Da Bulls! Da Bears! Da Cubs!), an amazing cook and culinary connoisseur, a well known AKC German Shepherd breeder, and a devout fan of The Beatles, in particular John Lennon. He will definitely be remembered for his love of sarcasm and his unique sense of humor. His many catch phrases and sayings will live on through those who knew and loved him. He was notorious for his love of the color black and no one can seem to remember him wearing any other color of clothing. He had a keen eye for art and appreciated the beauty in everything. Eric was a father and grandfather and inherently passed along his vivacious personality, as well as his musical love and talent to all of his children and grandchildren. Eric had a way with leaving an imprint in the hearts of all those who knew him and will be so dearly missed.

He is survived by his children Luke (wife, Peggy), Zachariah (wife, Brittany), Rain, Jon (fiancé, Felicia) and Lennon, along with his ex-wife and the mother of his children, Marta. His grandchildren are Elias, Uriah and Isaiah (father, Zachariah) and Gabrielle, Hannah, Abigail and Timothy (father, Luke). He leaves behind two sisters, Irene (husband, Jeff) and Linda (husband, Craig and their children Patrick and Kelsey).

The family will be holding a private memorial service for Eric to celebrate his life and to grieve the tremendous loss.