Robert Quine was a founding member of the groundbreaking punk rock ensemble, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, creating the movement’s anthem: “Blank Generation”. But he’s probably better known for his collaborations with artists such as Lou Reed, Brian Eno, John Zorn, Matthew Sweet, Tom Waits, Lloyd Cole, They Might Be Giants, and Marianne Faithfull.

Recently he’d released live recordings he’d bootlegged from various Velvet Underground shows as well as a compilation of Richard Hell & the Voidoids songs.

The cause of his death hasn’t been confirmed though there are rumors of suicide. He had apparently been in a deep depression since the loss of his wife to cancer last year.

Here’s the announcement on his official site where condolence emails will be forwarded to his family.

PS He had a law degree. ;)