Music

Justin Cary, Sixpence None the Richer Bassist, Dies at 50

Justin Cary, who joined Sixpence None the Richer in 1997 before the release of their breakthrough self-titled album and smash hit "Kiss Me," has passed away at 50.

Rolling Stone·Jun 19, 2026·via Rolling Stone

Justin Cary, Sixpence None the Richer Bassist, Dies at 50

Obituary

Justin Cary, Sixpence None the Richer’s Bassist, Dead at 50

Cary joined the band in 1997, when they released their self-titled breakthrough album featuring the smash single “Kiss Me"

By Charisma Madarang

Charisma Madarang

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June 19, 2026

Justin Cary, the bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, died Thursday, days after suffering a stroke. He was 50.

The band’s frontwoman Leigh Nash confirmed Cary’s death Thursday, writing on social media , “‘We sure had a great time’ is an understatement. 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 added in a heartfelt tribute shared to Instagram Stories. “Justin Cary was kind, talented, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” wrote Nash. “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. One time I broke the sink in my hotel room in Chile and he had to come help me at 1 am. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him and to have learned the touring ropes from someone so extraordinary. I was looking forward to being his friend for a long time.”

Cary had been with Sixpence None the Richer since 1997 after replacing the band’s former bassist, J.J. Plasencio. Cary joined the group before they released their self-titled album featuring their smash single, “Kiss Me,” which reached Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band’s cover of the La’s “There She Goes” was also a Hot 100 hit in 1999. Cary remained a member of the band until his death Thursday.