Punk rocker Lou Koller dies at 59 after an extended battle with most cancers
“It’s with unbelievable sadness that we announce to our worldwide hardcore family the passing of our brother Lou Koller,” his band wrote in a post on Instagram
American Punk Rock singer Lou Koller, of the group Sick Of It All, performs, during Fun Fun Fun Fest, onstage at Waterloo Park, Austin, Texas, November 3, 2007. (Photo by John Anderson/The Austin Chronicle/Getty Images)(Image: John Anderson/The Austin Chronicle/Getty Images)
Punk rock star Lou Koller has died at the age of 59 after a long battle with cancer.
The death of the singer was confirmed by his Sick Of It All bandmates in an emotional statement to Instagram on Friday, July 24.
“It’s with unbelievable sadness that we announce to our worldwide hardcore family the passing of our brother Lou Koller,” they said.
“The level of loss that we feel at this time is overwhelming.”
CLISSON, FRANCE – JUNE 19: (L-R) Pete Koller, Lou Koller and Craig Setari of Sick of It All perform on stage during the Hellfest Open Air Festival on June 19, 2022 in Clisson, France. (Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns)
Koller’s death comes shortly before the band’s 40th anniversary this year.
“And Lou’s camaraderie, commitment and enthusiasm were always steadfast throughout the years,” the statement continued.
“We have lost a beloved friend and an iconic frontman.”
His bandmates also acknowledged the “great help and support” of those who donated to Koller’s medical fund.
“You all helped Lou feel very special and very loved as he battled away these last two years,” the post read.
In June 2024, the singer revealed that doctors had found a tumour in his oesophagus. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma cancer.
Koller shared, in a video posted to the band’s Instagram page at the time, that doctors “found a tumour in my oesophagus that goes into my stomach”.
MONTREAL, QC – JULY 27: Lou Koller of Sick of it All performs at the 77 Montreal Festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau on July 27, 2018 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Horton/Getty Images)
The caption of the post shared that this was the reason the band had to cancel its summer tour.
Koller was born in Queens, New York and later formed Sick Of It All with his brother Pete in 1986 while they were still in high school.
Sick Of It All’s first studio album was titled Blood, Sweat And No Tears was released three years later in 1989. The band has gone on to release 12 studio albums.
