Remembering Justin Cary
Sixpence None the Richer Bassist Justin Cary Dies at 50 After Stroke, Tributes Pour In
Anonymous
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The GoFundMe reported that by the time of reporting, it had received donations from more than 360 people, totaling over $38,000, aimed at supporting Cary and Linda during his recovery.
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Sixpence None the Richer lead singer Leigh Nash wrote that “Our brother of 30 years (and bassist), Justin had a stroke Thursday night,” and added that Cary’s wife Linda had “kept us updated everyday and night too.”
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A longtime friend/collaborator, Philip Madeira, praised Cary’s character, saying he’s “a world class musician” but “more so a great human being,” and described Cary as the “musical director” who offered crucial encouragement during rehearsals—later adding, “Be good to each other; you might be the buoy for someone who’s in over their head.”
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Beyond Cary’s longtime lineup, Page Six noted the band’s broader roster history—stating that keyboardist Jason Lehning and, as of 2024, Steve Hindalong joined “as a percussionist”—adding context on who was part of Sixpence None the Richer in recent years.
Justin Cary, the bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, died on June 18, 2026, at Albany Medical Center in New York. He was 50 years old. His wife, Linda, was at his side, with soft music playing in the room, according to Wide Open Country.
Cary suffered a serious stroke on the evening of June 11. He underwent two surgeries, spent time in the ICU, and was placed on a respirator. The band's lead singer, Leigh Nash, broke the news publicly on June 16, calling him "our brother of 30 years," according to USA Today.
A Week of Surgeries, Updates, and Bedside Vigils
After the stroke on June 11, Cary was rushed to Albany Medical Center. Doctors performed two major surgeries over the following days. He was placed in the ICU and put on a respirator to keep him stable, according to Wide Open Country.
His wife, Linda, stayed by his side throughout. She sent daily updates to the band and to fans following along. One update noted she was reading to him at his bedside. On June 18, he passed away peacefully, with Linda holding his hand, Wide Open Country reported.
Leigh Nash and Matt Slocum Share Their Grief
Nash described Cary as a man of "second to NONE professionalism" and deep kindness. She called him "tough as an old boot" but also full of humor and class. "Our brother of 30 years (and bassist), Justin had a stroke Thursday night," she wrote, according to USA Today.
Band founder and guitarist Matt Slocum called the loss devastating. He said the band had been "planning for 30 more years" of music together, according to USA Today. Longtime collaborator Philip Madeira praised Cary as "a world class musician" but said he was "more so a great human being." Madeira called him the band's "musical director" who encouraged others during hard rehearsals.
A 30-Year Run From 'Kiss Me' to a Billion Streams
Cary joined Sixpence None the Richer in 1997, just before the band broke through to mainstream fame. Their self-titled album produced "Kiss Me," which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. By 2024, the song had surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify and earned a Triple Platinum certification from the RIAA, according to Wide Open Country.
The band reunited in 2024 after more than a decade away. They released a new EP called *Rosemary Hill*, reissued their classic self-titled album on vinyl, and returned to touring. Cary was the musical anchor of that comeback. Summer 2026 tour dates, including a show on August 13 at the Randy Owen Center, are now in jeopardy.
GoFundMe Raises $38,000 as Medical Bills Mount
Nash shared a GoFundMe link when she broke the news on June 16. She asked fans to pray for Linda and to help cover medical and living costs. As of June 19, more than 360 people had donated, raising over $38,365 toward a $40,000 goal, according to Wide Open Country.
The campaign drew attention beyond the numbers. A Grammy-nominated band needing fan donations to cover a member's hospital bills highlights a hard truth about many legacy musicians. Many lack corporate health benefits or financial safety nets, even after decades of work and platinum records, according to USA Today.
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