Written by: Alex Green
Mike “Gabby” Gaborno, the wildly charismatic lead singer of the beloved Southern California punk band Cadillac Tramps has died.
The musician was 51.
Gaborno was felled by liver cancer, but had recently suffered a spate of health issues, including a stroke, a heart attack, diabetes and liver and renal failure.
He’s survived by his six-year-old son.
Formed in the mid-’80s, the Orange County outfit were a legendary live band, delivering adrenalized performances night after night. They counted Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder as one of their biggest fans–Vedder even filmed one of their live shows that was released on DVD.
This is not the first time the band has been hit by tragedy–Michael “Mad Dog” Combs, who joined the ‘Tramps in 1999 died in 2004 after vanishing while snowboarding in Vail.
At his last show in October, which also marked his birthday, Gaborno told the OC Weekly: “I really didn’t think I’d make it past 51 so this is a milestone, man. I just got to celebrate my son’s birthday, I’m amazed that he’s gonna be able to celebrate one with me.”