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Gwar Founding Vocalist Chuck Varga Dies at 68

Chuck Varga, a founding member and vocalist of the shock-rock metal band Gwar, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 68.

The news was shared by Gwar bassist Casey Orr, who said Varga passed away peacefully with his wife, Bambi, by his side.

Orr called him "one of a kind," referring to the band member who sometimes portrayed the character Sexicutioner.

"As an artist, as a performer; as a scholar and a gentleman. I'm better for having known him and the world is lesser for his leaving. He is most likely being welcomed into Valhalla right now by Brockie and Smooty and all who went before. Raise your glass and tell his tales. Legends never die. Hail Varga! Hail Sexicutioner!"

Varga revealed his cancer diagnosis in April, and his Gwar bandmates organized a nationwide blood donation drive in his honor.

Gwar was formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. The group is run by a rotating collective of musicians, artists, and filmmakers.

Varga sang with the band during its breakthrough years from 1986 to 1996, and he returned for regular stints between 2000 and 2022.

In 1993, Gwar received a Grammy nomination for its long-form music video Phallus in Wonderland, but lost that night to Annie Lennox. Three years later, the band earned another Grammy nomination, this time in the Best Metal Performance category for the single S.F.W., losing to Nine Inch Nails.

Photo: Cover Media
Source: Muzland
Added by Frank
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