Key Facts at a Glance
Boz Burrell, best known as the bassist for Free and Bad Company, died on 21 September 2006. Independent reporting and obituaries from that period indicate heart failure as the immediate cause. The following breakdown separates verified details from common speculation and provides a concise reference for enduring questions about his health, timeline, and legacy.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Raymond Burrell | Biographical references |
| Date of Death | 21 September 2006 | Obituaries, public records |
| Location of Death | Spain (Andalusia region), where he resided | Reports from family and press |
| Immediate Cause | Heart failure | Obituary statements and news coverage |
| Known Health Issues | General health concerns were noted in coverage, but a detailed public medical history is not available | General reporting |
| Age at Death | 59 years old | Calculated from birth year and death date |
Confirming the Date and Identity
Who Was Boz Burrell?
Raymond "Boz" Burrell (12 December 1946 – 21 September 2006) was an English bassist and vocalist, widely recognized for his work in the late 1960s and 1970s with the rock band Free and the subsequent supergroup Bad Company. He also pursued solo work and session contributions. His role in Free included bass guitar and backing vocals; in Bad Company, he sang lead on several tracks including "Rock and Roll Fantasy." His musicianship and steady stage presence were noted by critics and peers alike.
Reported Cause and Surrounding Details
Multiple obituaries and news items from September 2006 state that Burrell died of heart failure while in Spain. Close sources indicated a sudden decline consistent with cardiac events. No publicly released medical or coroner report has been widely circulated in mainstream music press, so most specifics about underlying conditions or circumstances remain limited to anecdotal mentions in contemporaneous coverage. Independent confirmation comes from brief published reports at the time and tributes from bandmates and associates.
Context on Health and Final Days
Health Background and Public Information
While some fans and retrospective pieces have speculated about prolonged health challenges, detailed medical information has not been publicly documented. Tributes emphasized his warmth and professionalism rather than dwelling on illness. In the absence of official medical disclosure, it is most accurate to state that heart failure was the reported cause, with no widely confirmed detail about prior diagnoses or contributing factors available in authoritative sources.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- Heart, not respiratory, failure was the proximate cause according to contemporaneous obituaries.
- No verified public statement links his death to drug use or lifestyle factors beyond general health references.
- He was residing in Spain at the time, and the event was not publicly flagged as sudden or accidental beyond the cardiac event.
- Coronary details or secondary conditions are not part of the public record disclosed by reliable sources.
Enduring Legacy and Influence
Burrell's tone and economy of style influenced bassists who followed, particularly in the hard rock and blues-rock traditions. His vocal contributions on key Bad Company tracks remain staples of classic rock radio. Discographies, interviews, and retrospective pieces continue to highlight his reliability as a musician and his role in two landmark bands of the 1970s. Memorial notes in the years following his death reaffirmed his importance to the genre and the respect he earned from peers.
Related Questions
- When did Boz Burrell die? He died on 21 September 2006.
- How old was Boz Burrell when he died? He was 59 years old at the time of his death.
- What band was Boz Burrell in? He was best known for his work with Free and Bad Company.
- Was Boz Burrell ill before his death? Reports indicate heart failure; specific prior health details are not widely confirmed publicly.
- Where did Boz Burrell die? He died in Spain, where he had been residing.
Summary
Boz Burrell, the Free and Bad Company bassist, died of heart failure on 21 September 2006 in Spain at age 59. Verified obituary coverage supports this cause, with no further medically detailed public record available. Information about his role in two major bands and his influence remains well documented and enduring.