LeRoi Moore of Dave Matthews Band Dies

LeRoi Moore, Dave Matthews Band's saxophonist, passed away this afternoon in Los Angeles. He was 46 years old. Below is the official statement from DMB that was posted to the band's official website:

"We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program."

Moore's June 30th accident left him in serious condition and he was treated at UVA hospital for his injuries including broken ribs and a punctured lung. In Moore's absence, Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones had been sitting in on DMB's summer tour.

The band did not cancel their scheduled appearance tonight at L.A.'s Staples center. Some outlets are reporting that Moore had reportedly flown to Los Angeles to be with the band, albeit backstage during their performance, and that he did so against medical advice.

The music world has lost an outstanding artist today. Rest in peace, LeRoi.

Here's a video of DMB performing the sax-heavy #41 at Chicago's United Center on 12/19/98. Moore's solo starts around the 4:50 mark: