KISS collaborator Karl Cochran dies in car accident, aged 61

Karl Cochran, the guitarist who collaborated regularly with KISS among other classic rock artists, has died in a car accident at the age of 61.

The news was reported by MyCentralJersey, who noted that Cochran was a passenger in a car that his 90-year-old mother Arna was driving in Bridgewater, New Jersey on Wednesday (February 19). The Subaru Legacy struck a tree while backing up in a front yard and Cochran was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken by helicopter to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he passed away from his injuries.

Cochran was closely associated with KISS, co-writing their song ‘Into The Void’, which was included on their 1998 album ‘Psycho Circus’. He was also a member of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s solo band in the ‘90s, as well as The Eric Singer Project, the group formed by the KISS drummer.

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The band paid tribute to Cochran on Instagram on Thursday, writing: “Our dear friend Karl Cochran was killed in a car accident on Feb. 19th. Karl was a vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire who suffered a massive stroke but never stopped fighting to make his way back. He was loved by our fans worldwide through his appearances worldwide and was a constant inspiration as our guest on our KISS Kruises. Our deep condolences to Geri and family.”

Cochran also played regularly with Joe Lynn Turner, the former member of Rainbow and Deep Purple. He posted his own tribute, describing his passing as “an unbelievable loss not only to me but to the music world in general”.

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“For me personally I have lost a brother, friend and partner,” he added. “Now there will always be a missing part of my heart. I shall always remember and celebrate with love for the time I was fortunate enough to share with his incredible character and boundless spirit.”

Cochran suffered a stroke in 2014, causing him to withdraw from performing live, but he remained in music, working as a producer and engineer as well as a music teacher.

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