A legendary guitarist who played with Frank Zappa has passed away at the age of 70. Ike Willis’ cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, though he revealed in an interview three years ago that he had received a prostate cancer diagnosis. His family said he died “among loved ones” in north Las Vegas. “Ike was not only a great father, but a musician whose unmistakable voice, humor, and artistry left a lasting imprint on the music world,” their statement reads. Willis joined Zappa’s shifting ensemble in 1977 and played alongside the legendary rock visionary for more than a decade. He famously starred in Zappa’s rock opera, Joe’s Garage, outlining the adventures of a misunderstood teen developing his musical gifts in a dystopian future where the state has outlawed artistic expression. Willis, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, also led his own outfit, the Ike Willis Band, outside of his collaborations with Zappa, who died in 1993, after which Willis remained involved with a number of Zappa tribute acts.
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