Charlie Colin, a founding member and bassist of the rock band Train, has died at the age of 58. Colin’s sister, Carolyn Stephens, reported his passing on May 22, 2024. She revealed that he died from a fall in the shower while he was house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium. The exact time of his death remains uncertain, as his body was found only upon his friend’s return.
Born and raised in Southern California, Colin developed his love for music at an early age. He further honed his skills at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduation, he joined the band “Apostles” with Jimmy Stafford and Rob Hotchkiss. Following the band’s dissolution, Colin spent a year in Singapore writing jingles showcasing his musical versatility.
In the early 1990s, Colin, along with Stafford and Hotchkiss, relocated to San Francisco, California and started the band Train with Pat Monahan. The addition of drummer Scott Underwood completed the lineup. This marked the start of Train’s rise to fame.
The band’s debut album launched in 1998, containing the popular single “Meet Virginia,” which made it to the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album, “Drops of Jupiter,” released in 2001, propelled them to stardom. The album’s title track, which included contributions from Rolling Stones’ session pianist Chuck Leavell and string orchestrator Paul Buckmaster, earned two Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song. The deeply personal song, about Monahan’s mother’s death, resonated with many listeners.
Colin’s time with Train was not without difficulties. Due to struggles with substance abuse, he left the band in 2003. Monahan remarked, “Charlie is one incredible bass player, but he was in a lot of pain, and how he dealt with it was very painful for everyone else around him.”
Despite his departure from Train, Colin remained active in the music scene. He formed a band called Painbirds with Hotchkiss in 2015. Two years later, he collaborated with Sugar Ray’s Stan Frazier and the PawnShop Kings’ Joel and Scott Owen to start the Side Deal. His dedication to music was evident in his continued involvement in various projects.
Colin also contributed as the musical director of the Newport Beach Film Festival. Todd Quartararo, the festival’s co-founder, highlighted Colin as “a special part of the Newport Beach Film Festival family” whose “heart, compassion, and creativity will surely be missed.”
In his last months, Colin lived in Brussels, a city he had grown fond of. He declared Brussels as “officially my favorite city” in an Instagram post in March.
Train paid tribute to Colin on social media, stating, “Meeting Charlie Colin was love at first sight. He was incredibly sweet and strikingly handsome. Forming a band seemed like the only logical step. His distinctive bass playing and guitar skills gained us recognition in San Francisco and beyond. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Despite efforts to bring him closer, he followed his own path. You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm those angels.”
Colin is survived by his parents, sister, and niece. His contributions to the music industry and the memories he left behind ensure his lasting legacy.
