Tonight, 7News notes the passing of 50 year-old Leroy "Bass" Castillo, a veteran, Belize City-based musician, who was well-known and influential in the musical community.
Castillo was born with an enlarged heart, and according to his family, this caused him to suffer medical complications which forced him to be in and out of the hospital.
He went to Belmopan Regional hospital this weekend, and his family thought that it would be a regular visit, but he slipped into a coma, and didn't wake up.
He passed away at around 1 a.m. this morning, and now, all of his friends and associates join his family in mourning his loss.
We spoke to several of his colleagues today, and they told us that he was a good friend and mentor:
Here's what they told us about his personality:
Leon Banks - Musician
"Bass Cas, I met him about 8 years ago. He started me off in the performing arts, actually playing in my first band, I should say. We played in the Player's Band together."
Daniel Ortiz
"And what was he like as musician and as an individual?"
Leon Banks
"He was a friend, a mentor, and an excellent musician. He was the first bassist I ever saw in Belize that could play completely bass lines, and sing something different at the same time."
Chris Bradshaw - Musician
"He has always been a person who I think has been a role model in area of music. He has always been a diligent, hard worker. He always plays very well, and always promotes music a lot. I found him to be a very good friend also."
Kenny Gladden - Musician
"In his time, he definitely touched a lot of youths, bringing out a lot of young musicians. Back then, when we were in the Messenger's Baby band, we had a lot of people today, right now, we could classify them as stars. Through Leroy, it became possible. He always had advice. He was somebody to keep close. We'll really miss the man."
Tanya Carter - Musician
"He was just so lovable to everybody, and everybody who was younger than him, in my generation, looked up to him. This is a shock, and it kind of hits all of us. We grew up with him. He watched us grow. I - I don't know - it's just very sad."
Leroy "Bass" Castillo has mentored many of the young musicians in Belize City, and he was an associate of many of stellar local talents including Tanya Carter and Carlos Perote.
As his nickname suggests, he was an accomplished bass guitarist; he was also a singer, song-writer and composer.
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