Tragic Loss of Legendary South African Underground Musician George Bacon

Tributes have been pouring in for Hog Hoggidy Hog frontman, George Bacon, whose death on Saturday morning came as a shock to his family and the entertainment community.

The band had only just kicked off their national #HogsAreBack tour the evening before, at The Assembly.

According to an official statement which was released today, the 40-year-old passed away at some point during Saturday morning following the show.

“George arrived back at their accommodation just outside of Cape Town’s CBD after the gig,” reads the statement. “It was only after someone tried to wake him up, that they discovered that he had passed away in his sleep the next morning.”

The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed. Details will be made available at a later stage.

George leaves behind his wife, Verena and son who was born earlier this year in January.

The remaining band members of Hog Hoggidy Hog released the following statement: “It is with great sadness that we write this message. We have lost our brother and his memory will live on in our minds and hearts forever. All our love and condolences to Verena, Draco and family. George, you will be missed with all our hearts.”

According to the statement “George has been an absolute icon in SA underground music for the past 20 years and the band had big plans for their official comeback this year.

“The death of George came just a month before the hogs were to celebrate their 20th year anniversary at the end of June this year. Their presence in the local music industry has undeniably been prolific and has had an incredible impact on (now popular) artists who admired Hog Hoggidy Hogs’ music and style all these years.”

Some of the messages posted on Twitter and social media by members of the SA music industry, included:

The Rudimentals: “To our brother who gave us our 1st ever gig with the @HOGHOGGIDYHOG. Respect& we love you always! RIP George Bacon.”

GoodLuck: “Huge loss for SA music! RIP George Bacon… Thanks for the music @HOGHOGGIDYHOG – our hearts are with you all! :(“

Francois Van Coke: “So sad to hear about George. He was an inspiration, a great dude and the greatest punk rock tour guide. He is going to be missed by many.”

During his life, George lived in Chicago, Cape Town, Berlin and London and was recently said in an interview that  “after having travelled the world quite a bit, there is a certain sense of freedom that you can only get from living in Africa and in spite of all we don’t have in comparison, I still feel privileged having been born an African. If that somehow comes through in our music and is interpreted as being positive and uplifting then that is awesome.”