Local guitarist Billy Franze died 'very unexpectedly'
Beloved local guitarist Billy Franze of Dr. Mambo's Combo died "very unexpectedly" on Tuesday, the band said on Facebook.
Dr. Mambo's Combo, which has played at Bunker's Music Bar and Grill in Minneapolis since 1987, called Franze, also known as The Reverend, "Magic."
"There really are no words to describe the hole that is left here on this earth with his unexpected departure," the post said. "Please keep his wife Lisa and his son Christian in your thoughts."
Franze retired from Dr. Mambo's Combo last June but played with the band last week, with the band calling him a "legend" who has "played all over the world with some of the greatest talent on the planet."
No other details have been released about his death.
Franze is being remembered fondly on social media by musicians and fans alike as being a Minneapolis guitar legend who was a kind, funky musician.
Here's a sampling of the tributes:
