NEW YORK -- Bob Casale, the guitarist for Devo, best known for the 1980 hit "Whip It," died of heart failure, his brother and band member Gerald Casale said Tuesday. He was 61.
Devo founding member Casale said in a statement that his younger brother's death on Monday was "sudden" and "a total shock." No further details on Bob Casale's death were provided.
The Ohio-based Devo released its Brian Eno-produced debut, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!," in 1978. The new wave band reached platinum status with 1980's "Freedom of Choice," which featured "Whip It."
Casale called his brother "a solid performer and talented audio engineer" in his statement.
Last year, Devo lost its drummer, Alan Myers, after a battle with brain cancer.
