Joe Skyward, the bassist who was a member of Sunny Day Real Estate and the Posies, has died. The Posies confirmed the news, saying he died surrounded by family and friends. Skyward, commonly referred to as Joe Bass, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was 57.

Skyward was born Joseph Howard in Cleveland. In the 1990s, he was a member of Sky Cries Mary. He later joined the Posies for two albums: 1996's Amazing Disgrace and 1998's Success. When he left the Posies, he became a touring member of Sunny Day Real Estate. He sang and played bass on their 1999 album Live. In the 2000s, he played with the Walkabouts, the Long Winters, and Sunny Day Real Estate's Jeremy Enigk. He also released some solo recordings under the name Skyward. He recently rejoined the Posies and toured with them until he was diagnosed with cancer.

"Joe was larger than life, talented, possessed of a huge heart and an equally large appetite for living...he was one of a kind," wrote the Posies' Jon Auer. "I loved him very, very much. I'm thankful for the many great and crazy times spent with him."