Former Shins bassist Neal Langford was discovered dead in a creek.
Langford, a well-known hot air balloonist, appeared on the indie band’s debut album Oh, Inverted World.
On July 21, cops discovered the 50-year-old deceased in a creek near a private dock in Bath, North Carolina.
Frontman James Mercer called Langford “invaluable” in an emotional tribute, which was accompanied by a black and white portrait of Langford.
They were both members of the 1990s band Flake Music, which later became The Shins.
Mercer wrote on Instagram: “Just want to let you guys know one of the best friends I’ve ever had has passed.
“He was in several bands with me including the Shins. A very important figure in my life you could say.
“I mean this is the guy who talked me into getting over my shyness and up on the stage. He put me in front of the microphone!
“There’s too much to the story but I loved him. And I owe him a lot.
“Neal Langford you were always loved and you always will be.”
The Shins released two EPs before releasing their first single, New Slang, and debut album in 2001.
Langford had quit the band prior to the band’s triumph with the soundtrack for the 2004 film Garden State.
Former Shins member Jesse Sandoval previously stated that Langford was kicked out of the band due of his passion for hot air ballooning.
He told the Portland Mercury: “Neal was into ballooning but he didn’t choose ballooning over the Shins.
“He got fired. My phone call was very parallel to Neal’s call back in the day.
“The way Neal got fired was no different from the way I got fired.”
However, by 2012, Langford and ex-Shins keyboardist Marty Crandell had formed their own band, Sad Baby Wolf.
Langford established IBX Ballon Fights in 2018 after relocating to Bath.
According to WITN, police are investigating Langford’s death but do not suspect foul play.
