Kelley Looney Biography

Kelley Looney was a bass player in Steve Earle’s band who died on November 4, 2019 at the age of 51. Earl had once said that he would stop playing if he ever lost Looney as a bass player. He also added that he felt as though Looney was the glue that held his band together.

Kelley Looney Father

Looney’s father was a bass player who played with Eddy Arnold, the Owen Bradley Orchestra, and Claude Thornhill, among others. He loved jazz from Lester Young to Miles Davis.

Kelley Looney Bass Player

Looney began his professional career in music touring with Eddy Shaver who he met while they were in college together. Shaver passed away in December 2000. From there, Looney played bass for Connie Smith at the Grand Ole Opry between 1982 and 1987. In the summer of 1987, Looney toured alongside Tom Kimmel in support of Heart. In 1988, Looney first began working with Steve Earle.

Looney released his first solo album ‘Black Sheep Blues’ in 2014. He said that he wrote those songs that were featured on the album between the 1990s and 2012.

Kelley Looney Death

Kelley died on November 4, 2019 his death was confirmed by Earle’s violin player, Eleanor Whitmore on Facebook who wrote; “This one hurts a lot. Our dear friend & bandmate for the past decade has left this mortal coil. I don’t have a lot of words yet, but this picture makes me smile. Love to everyone that knew our sweet Kelley Looney.”

Kelley Looney Tributes

In a Facebook post Keith Christopher, fellow musician wrote; “For now, good night Kelley, until we meet again old friend… I’ve been absent from posting today but not from the lack of trying, I assure you. Surely tomorrow I can find the strength to pull myself together enough to find the words I couldn’t find today to honor our dear friend. So much love for Kelley Looney, and as you know , he gave twice as much back…. However, I hope the stories start soon so we can begin celebrating the time we were lucky enough to have spent with this extraordinary piece of work, and if you’ve spent time with him, you’ve got at least 10! …. Love to you all..”

Earle’s guitar player, Chris Masterson also paid his tribute through a Facebook post which read; “I’m gutted. I don’t even know what to say right now. RIP Kelley Looney. We’ve been in the same band for over a decade and shared so much life together. (Not to mention desserts). I’m a better musician and a better man for the time I got to spend with him. So much love to his family and his bandmates & friends. Hug the ones you love tonight. ?.”