Musician Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez, a musician from the band No Doubt, passed away. He was 57.
He was the original trumpet player for Gwen Stefani’s No Doubt band. Gonzalez died in a tragic motorcycle accident in Hermosa Beach, California, on Thursday, Sept. 12 per SPIN. No further information has been revealed.
Born on July 11, 1967, Gabriel “The Gun” Gonzalez is a first-generation Cuban American. He grew up in Anaheim, California, and attended Loara High School. He played trumpet in the highschool band. It was there that he connected with Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric, who were also students, and became part of the original lineup of No Doubt. His trumpet playing was a key part of the band’s early ska-driven sound in the late 1980s.
After performing with No Doubt intermittently throughout the ‘80s, Gonzalez pursued further musical education at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, sharpening his skills as a trumpet player and deepening his understanding of music theory.
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By the time No Doubt changed to a more mainstream pop-rock style in the 1990s, with albums like Tragic Kingdom, Gonzalez was no longer in the group. His departure occurred as the band reduced its reliance on brass instruments, moving toward a more guitar-driven sound. However, Gabriel Gonzalez is credited as a co-writer on No Doubt’s tracks “Total Hate ‘95” and “Paulina,”
In addition to his time with No Doubt, Gabriel Gonzalez also performed with other ska bands, including Save Ferris, the Untouchables, the Skeletones, and Kingston A Go Go.
He is lovingly remembered by his three children.
Rest in Peace.
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