Starship guitarist Mark Abrahamian died last night (Sunday, Sept. 2) of a heart attack following the group’s concert in Norfolk, Neb. He was 46 and had been with the Mickey Thomas-fronted group since 2000.

According to the Mercury News, the band’s road manager, Scott Harrison, reported that Abrahamian complained of feeling poorly following the band’s performance, and was quickly taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The group were performing with fellow rockers Boston and Survivor at the concert.

According to the band’s official website, Abrahamian began to play guitar at age 10. Upon hearing Van Halen‘s ‘Eruption’ in the seventh grade, the budding musician, in his own words, “Went home and didn’t leave (his) room until the ninth grade.”

The obviously devastated group cancelled tonight’s scheduled performance in Orem, Utah, and issued a statement on their official Facebook page:

We are all shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of our guitar player Mark Abrahamian. Mark was a kind, thoughtful and innovative soul. He was also a friend and family member. Mark also happened to be one hell of a guitar player. We are devastated by the loss of our brother and just dealing with it the best we can.

Published by rbtaleman

Heavy metal (fiend/friend?) Writer, frustrat(or), frustrat(ee), decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Husband(twice), father(three times), grandfather(of seven), FM radio veteran, Concertgoer, music collector, muscle car aficianado. Grown up since five. Child since 45. View all posts by rbtaleman