Posted on November 2, 2008 - by Editor

R.I.P Frank Navetta (Ex The Descendents)

Frank passed away on October 31st 2008 after a short bout of illness. He was an original member of the pioneering group The Descendents for six years which he formed with Tony Lombardo & Bill Stevenson in 1979. They released the “Ride The Wild/ It’s a Hectic World” single. Milo Aukerman joined the band shortly afterward and they recorded the now classic “Mile Goes to College” in 1982. The band took a hiatus when Milo went to college before they began recording “I Don’t Want To Grow Up” in 1985. Navetta played on the title track, “Silly Girl”, “GCF” and “Rockstar”, but left after this to become a full time fisherman.

A statement from the band reads:

We’re very sorry to announce that founding member of The DESCENDENTS, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days. This is obviously a huge loss for the DESCENDENTS family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general cannot be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out.

His early guitar style was heavily rooted in surf music whilst his song-writing had a darker and more negative side to it than his band mates. His song content focused more on his parents, his father especially; “Fat’s”- ‘My Dad Sucks’, and “Milo Goes To College’s”- ‘Parents’

Distorted send its deepest condolences to Frank’s friends and family.