The music world mourns the loss of Justin Baren, former teen rock star and founding member of The Redwalls, who passed away at the age of 40.
His father, Martin, announced the news, sharing that Justin died peacefully on November 28th. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Justin and his brother Logan formed The Redwalls while they were still in high school, drawing inspiration from the iconic British Invasion bands. This early passion led Justin to start writing songs at just 13 years old, fueled by the bass guitar his father gifted him.
"From a very early age, we knew the kids in high school weren’t going to be our scene," Justin shared in a 2005 interview. "We wanted to get into the real music scene and not be limited by what other kids were saying or doing." This ambition led them to sign their first record deal with Capitol Records on the very day they graduated.
And this is where their story gets really interesting: The Redwalls had the incredible opportunity to open for Oasis during their gigs in both the UK and the US in 2005. Imagine the energy of those shows!
They even performed at the City of Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad). The band's talent didn't go unnoticed; they were even dubbed the "new Beatles" in Chicago. This recognition caught the attention of Noel Gallagher, who then invited them to be part of the supporting acts. As former guitarist Andrew Langer put it, "Noel loved our record."
Beyond opening for Oasis, The Redwalls also graced the stage at Lollapalooza in 2005 and 2006. Their talent also earned them appearances on popular TV shows like the Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The band released three albums between 2003 and 2007. Their single, Memories, was released in the UK in January 2009.
In an obituary, Justin's family described his performances as filled with "unmistakeable energy and personality." They highlighted his deep love for music and the connection he made with audiences. Music was a central part of his life, and his family remembers his passion, creativity, and generous spirit.
What do you think about the impact of bands like The Redwalls, who, despite not reaching the absolute pinnacle of fame, still left a significant mark on the music scene? Do you remember hearing their music, or did you ever see them perform? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
