Tributes have poured out following the death of Sixpence None The Richer bassist Justin Cary. He was 50 years old.
Leigh Nash, the frontwoman of the US alt-rock band, confirmed news of his passing on Thursday (June 18). “‘We sure had a great time’ is an understatement,'” she wrote on social media. “Thank you, Justin. We love you forever. Please keep his dear [wife] Linda close to your hearts. She is our family. There’s never been anybody like Justin.”
Nash later added a moving tribute shared to her Instagram Stories, saying that Cary was “kind, talented, and one of the funniest people” she had ever met.
“Whenever he had a story, I would stop to listen. I had to be sure to catch the end of ‘Kiss Me’ every night because he did this funky bass lick that tickled my brain so good.”
Cary had been with Sixpence None the Richer after replacing the band’s former bassist in 1997, and joined before they released the self-titled album that featured their smash hit single, ‘Kiss Me’.
The track enjoyed a resurgence in 2020 thanks to TikTok, and before that, it was covered by SZA during a live show in Florida in 2019.
RIP Justin Cary, Bassist
Sixpence None the Richer
"Kiss Me," "Breathe Your Name", "Don't Dream It's Over", "There She Goes"
Grammy Award Nominee
3x Dove Award Winner#InMemoriam #RIP pic.twitter.com/Y00JFKABAx— LegacyTributes (@InMemoriamX) June 19, 2026
“Our brother of 30 years (and bassist), Justin had a stroke Thursday night,” she wrote at the time. “We love our brother so so much. Words don’t cover it. I know so many out there love him too. Saw his brilliance, second to NONE professionalism, class, humor (oh my lord the humor) wit, tough as an old boot as they say.”
As well as his work with Sixpence None the Richer, Cary played bass for a number of artists, including Counting Crows, Jennifer Knapp and Lee Brice, according to his website.
On the site, Cary wrote with pride about his place in the band. “As a member of Sixpence None the Richer, I have been fortunate to ride a wave of experience that taught me a lot about the music industry,” he wrote. “Sometimes easily, and sometimes the hard way! Along the way, a Grammy Nomination and hit singles kick-started my career as a bassist.
“I’m proud of the work I’ve done with Sixpence and continue to work with the band on new recordings and occasional performances.”