Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner dies age 55 after pneumonia battle

Screaming Trees co-founder and bassist Van Conner has died aged 55 after a battle with pneumonia, his heartbroken brother has announced.

His sibling and bandmate Gary Lee Conner posted the tragic news on Facebook this evening, calling Van his "closest friend".

Gary confirmed that he passed away last night, telling followers that pneumonia "got him in the end".

He wrote: "Van Conner bassist and song writer of Screaming Trees died last night of an extended illness at 55.

"It was pneumonia that got him in the end. He was one of the closest friends I ever had and I loved him immensely. I will miss him forever and ever and ever."

Van passed away after a battle with pneumonia (Getty Images)

Van played on the band's biggest hits such as All I Know and Nearly Lost You - tributes have flooded in from fans worldwide after the upsetting news.

"RIP Van; amazing bass player in the greatest band I ever heard. So sorry for your loss Gary," said one follower. Another wrote: "Really a sad news today. Sorry for your loss."

"The music that you created as the Screaming Trees and after brought So much joy to So many people. My thoughts will be with you and your family," penned a third.

Van and Gary launched the rock band back in 1984 (Getty Images)

A fourth wrote: "So sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace. Always loved The Screaming Trees, very sad news and extremely heartbreaking."

Van and Gary created The Screaming Trees back in 1984, bringing together singer Mark Lanegan and drummer Mark Pickerel as they launched in Ellensburg, Washington.

Singer Mark also tragically died in February last year at the age of 57. It was in 2021 that he revealed he was battling both Covid-19 and kidney disease - it is unknown if that contributed to his death.

Fans have sent in tributes from all over the world (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

A tribute at the time posted on his Twitter account read: "Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning at his home in Killarney, Ireland.

"A beloved singer, songwriter, author and musician he was 57 and is survived by his wife Shelley.

"No other information is available at this time. The family asks everyone to respect their privacy at this time."

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