Beloved keyboardist Bernie Worrell has officially succumbed to lung cancer, passing away today, June 24th, at the age of 72. Worrell was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer earlier this year, and has been fighting the disease ever since. His wife Judie Worrell had been updating fans on his health status, and she was the one who confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

Worrell was a beloved keyboardist, getting his first big break with Parliament Funkadelic throughout the 1970s. While controversies about George Clinton’s withholding of payment have come to light in recent years, there’s no denying that Worrell was instrumental in the band’s funk sound. Considering P-Funk essentially defined the funk genre, Worrell’s contributions on an array of keyboards, pianos and organs have influenced almost everyone in the funk/jam scene since.

Worrell then released one solo album, All The Woo In The World, and continued to explore the Moog synthesizer in the 1978 album. Worrell was only the second recipient of a synth from Bob Moog. When P-Funk took a hiatus from touring, Worrell was recruited by the Talking Heads, and even appeared on their famous Stop Making Sense concert film.

The music didn’t stop after that, as Worrell enjoyed a lifetime full of rich musical collaborations. The keyboardist played with everyone from Warren Haynes to Les Claypool and beyond, finding new and exciting ways to bring his musical gifts to life. Worrell was even a member of Meryl Streep’s band in the 2015 film, Ricki and The Flash. He will truly be missed.

Bernie Worrell was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in 2016, and was even working to release a new solo album when he died. A number of esteemed colleagues organized and performed at a benefit concert for Worrell, named after his 1978 solo album All The Woo In The World. The show was one of Worrell’s last-ever public appearances, and you can see our review with images here.

Worrell will be truly missed. Our hearts go out to all of the lives that the Woo master touched during his 72 years on Earth. RIP.