Former pop star dead at 40

A former teen pop star has died. Beloved singer and bassist Justin Baren, a founding member of the Chicago pop-rock band The Redwalls, has passed away at 40, his father announced. Now, tributes pour in from former bandmates and fans.

Justin’s father, Martin Baren, confirmed the news to the Chicago Sun-Times. He said he died “peacefully.” The singer-songwriter, a founding member of the Chicago band The Redwalls, died on November 28.

“Justin was an essential part of The Redwalls,” the band wrote in an emotional statement on Tuesday. “His energy, intuition, and raw musicality helped shape who we were. Not just as a band, but as a group of kids trying to make something meaningful together.”

Justin Baren, a Chicago native, was inspired by the 1960s “British Invasion” bands, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks. He and his older brother, Logan, formed their first band, The Pages, in 2001 while they were still in high school.

Teen pop star Justin Baren dead at 40

Their friends Andrew Langer and Jordan Kozer also joined the band. Two years later, in 2003, they rebranded as The Redwalls.

“From a very early age, we knew the kids in high school weren’t going to be our scene,” Baren said in a 2005 interview, per the Chicago Sun-Times.

“We wanted to get into the real music scene and not be limited by what other kids were saying or doing. We wanted to be Downtown where it was happening,” he added.

Kozer left the band as he left for college. He said Justin and his brother were always destined to become musicians.

“He didn’t know anything else, he didn’t try anything else. Deerfield was pushing people to go to college,” Kozer told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He and Logan didn’t care anything at all about that. They were laser-focused on making this happen. There was no backup plan.”

Logan and his brother signed with Capitol Records – the same American label that represented The Beatles – before they had graduated from high school. They released their first major label record in 2005, De Nova. The band grew popular and toured with English superstars Oasis in both Europe and the US.

“His tone and groove were really solid. He was not an educated musician, but he grooved harder than any band I ever played with,” their former band member said.

Mourned by fans

After his passing, fans have flooded social media with tributes. The Redwalls posted the following statement on Facebook.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our friend, brother, and bandmate, Justin Baren. Justin was an essential part of The Redwalls. His energy, intuition, and raw musicality helped shape who we were. Not just as a band, but as a group of kids trying to make something meaningful together. The cause of Justin’s passing has not been officially determined. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will be a blessing. We’re grateful for the years, the music, and all the memories we shared.”

“Even 20+ years ago, he radiated energy, intuition, and raw musicality. He was a joy to watch,’ one person wrote on The Redwalls’ post.

“This is like a knife cutting straight to the guts. So unbelievable. I still listen to their music from time to time and seeing the brothers together making new music was something exciting;” another said.

A third added, I’ll never forget Justin as a gentle, kind, creative soul.”

“Justin and The Redwalls, after seeing them perform 20 years ago I felt like maybe rock wasn’t dead after all—what talents,” a fourth commented.

Rest in peace, Justin Baren.