Rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Bud Slinger died on March 11, 1974. He was 34 years old. Leader and founding member of the Rev-Ups, Mr. Slinger was also a successful solo artist.

The cause of death is under investigation and although no foul play was immediately suspected, Mr. Slinger’s manager, Dirk Glissman, stated that Bud’s “Old Yellow” guitar was missing and that his room at the Hotel Earle in New York City had been ransacked. Witnesses reported an odd shape to the body bag, stirring rumors that he died holding his guitar and that he will be buried with it.

Contradictory reports indicated that Mr. Slinger had been dead for several days, with rigor mortis a possible cause of the misshapen bag. An autopsy is scheduled. Crowds gathered outside the hotel and his Laurel Canyon bungalow. Formed in L.A. in 1967 by Slinger and fellow Detroit native Cookie Wilson, The Rev-Ups took a love of The Stones, Chuck Berry, The Ventures, and R&B, stripped it down (“no horns”) and sped it up, frequently driving themselves and their audience to “euphoric extremes,” as proclaimed by early reviews. Modest sales, however, led to infighting, and record label squabbles resulted in the band’s demise, with their final effort, Trouble Tonight being released in 1971.

Mr. Slinger, whose real name was Earl Davis, launched a successful solo career with a more polished sound. His first single, “Farewell Laurel,” charted respectably and earned acclaim from critics but was met with grumblings from older, die-hard fans. He released three records and toured extensively before being dropped by his record label. His last project, Rev-Up, released in 1973, was a return to basics, featuring fan favorite “Park with Spiders.” The album was supported with a three-month tour, including shows in the United States, England, Germany, and Japan. Rumored substance abuse problems stalked the tour and health problems sidelined further creative output.

Mr. Davis is survived by his sister, Bessy Bracken (Davis). He had no children.