Kerry Turnman, bassist for The Temptations, has died following a concert with The Beach Boys in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Saturday (April 22nd). KFVS-TV reports that Turnman felt fine as he left the venue after the show that night. Early the next morning, Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton was called a local hotel where he was pronounced dead.
“The Temptations lost a dear member of our family, as bass player Kerry Turman has passed away. Rest In Peace, much love, much respect,” the band tweeted on Monday (April 24th).
The Temptations lost a dear member of our family, as bass player Kerry Turman has passed away. Rest In Peace, much love, much respect. pic.twitter.com/3uWE0sjSJc
— The Temptations (@thetemptations) April 23, 2017
Beach Boy member Mike Love released a statement via Facebook on Monday.
“This Sunday morning was a very sad day for the ‘Surf & Soul’ tour. Sometime around 7 am, Kerry Turman, the bass player for the Temptations, was found in his hotel room unresponsive. It’s incredibly shocking as we were just chatting and hanging around backstage Saturday night in Cape Girardeau.
“KT was known to be a devoted father and family man.”
“KT was a gentle giant with incredible talent. He played bass on songs that will forever be part of our American songbook for the last 33 years. He was always so kind and jovial. KT was known to be a devoted father and family man. We certainly would’ve understood if the Temps canceled their performance in St Charles, MO, but they soldiered on in KT’s memory and honor. KT’s bass stood in his place tonight. We performed In support of our touring family, The Temptations honoring the memory and talent of our family member, KT. His smile and spirit will be missed.”
While no cause of death has officially been determined, the 59-year-old Turnman is believed to have died from natural causes.
Turnman has been The Temptations’ bassist for the past 33 years, but was also a member of Roy Ayers band in the 1970s and Gene Dunlap’s band in the 1980s.
Temptations manager Shelly Berger says the band will continue. “They’re very old-fashioned and believe the show must go on,” she states.
After Turnman’s death, Otis Williams is the only remaining original Temptations’ member who is still alive.
