Mason Swearingen Death: Lead singer, bassist, bandleader is dead

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Mason Swearingen Death: Lead singer, bassist, bandleader is dead[/caption]

Families and friends are paying tributes on social media to Beloved Mason Swearingen who recently passed away.

We learned of the passing of Mason Swearingen from the following tributes posted on social media.

Beginnings: A Tribute to the Music of Chicago (Official) wrote

It is with the utmost sadness and words cannot express the grief we’re all feeling right now…

Last night, Mason Swearingen, lead singer, bassist, bandleader, brother to us all, passed away on stage.

Every cliche for a passing loved one comes to mind, but to merely label Mason as just a husband, a son, a friend, a musician, just doesn’t cut it. The impact he played in everyone’s lives was beyond any one role.

Mason’s passion was being the band leader of “Beginnings – The Ultimate Chicago Tribute”. This goes way beyond learning the bass parts and high vocals that he worked so hard on for every performance. He engaged in every email, post, phone call to every venue and its representation. Mason did all of this and more with a smile. Every “meet and greet” after each show saw Mason shaking hands and smiling in pictures with everyone. We’re on stage for 90 minutes for each show, but the countless hours he put into this band off stage to make the next show better for everyone involved are incalculable.

His passion was for the music of Chicago, but more importantly, for the people that came to see us, for providing for his band mates and for making everyone in the venue feel like they were celebrating life and live music with us. Every night was more than a tribute, it was a celebration of the power of live music and how it can transport the band and the audience to a better place….

Mason was the voice of the band – beyond Chicago’s lyrics, the heart of the band, beyond the notes…and soul of this band, beyond just a fellow musician and dear friend and we were honored to share the stage with him through thick and thin.

Mason would always say “It’s Only The Beginning”, when he promoted a show to imply the next great gig was one we haven’t played yet….and we would love to embrace that sentiment as heaven just got one amazing soul….

We are deeply saddened and will need time to process this profound loss.

Thank you for the immediate outpouring of love in this difficult time.

Mason would want us to celebrate his life and passion for live music…

Jim Lutz wrote

Words cannot really express it, but I’ll try anyway. I was (and still am) shocked and devastated today to learn of the sudden passing of my friend Mason Swearingen, the lead singer, bassist, and bandleader of Beginnings.

Mason was not only a musical force, but also a tremendous human being. Every time we played and hung out together, he simply radiated joy – even (and remarkably) in the face of adversity. Even more, he was one of those guys who always seemed to care deeply. He always made you feel like you mattered.

Well, my friend, maybe I never told you in so many words, but you mattered a great deal too, to so many of us. It was a true blessing to get to know you and to play together. I will dearly miss your smile, your voice, your laughter, and your passion. Not to mention those fat bass lines. Rock on in heaven, Mason…

Chicago 9 Tribute Band wrote

Devastating news in the Chicago Tribute Band world. We have just learned of the passing of Beginnings lead singer and bassist band member Mason Swearingen. The entire Chicago 9 band members send out our heartfelt condolences to the Beginnings band members, family and fans. He was one of the best, gonna miss you my friend. Please send prayers to the entire Beginnings family. RIP Mason 😢