Trashcan Sinatras star John Douglas dies aged 62 after brief illness as tributes pour in

ROCK star John Douglas has died aged 62 after a “short illness”. The music icon was best known as the guitarist and singer of the Trashcan Sinatras. Trashcan Sinatras star John Douglas has sadly died aged 62 Credit: Instagram It comes just four days after the release of the group’s latest album Credit: Getty His bandmates Francis Reader, Paul Livingston, Davy Hughes and his brother Stephen Douglas, wrote on social media today: “We are devastated to inform all of you that we have lost our dear friend and brother John after a brief illness. “He died peacefully in the early hours of Monday the 3rd August 2026, surrounded by loved ones, his beautiful voice and songs filling the room.” Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! The tragic news comes just four days after the release of the group’s latest album, Ever the Optimist. It is the band’s first full-length release in 10 years. He joined the band in 1986 which Credit: Instagram Douglas (left) was best known as the guitarist and singer of the group Credit: WIKIMEDIA Trashcan Sinatras also performed a “secret gig” at the Irvine Harbour Arts Centre in June. Trashcan Sinatras climbed to global fame with their hit single Obscurity Knocks, featured on their debut album Cake. The album also included hits like Only Tongue Can Tell and Circling the Circumference. John joined the Scottish indie rock band in 1986 which was formed in his hometown of Irvine. Most read in Showbiz The band were formed in Douglas’ hometown of Irvine, Scotland Credit: Vistalux The Trashcan Sinatras performing in 2005 Credit: Alamy The band’s discography spans six studio albums, led by 1990’s Cake. Re-released in 2023, the debut album finally cracked the UK Top 10 some 33 years after its initial release. Douglas performed on each of the group’s seven studio albums, including the 1993 fan favourite I’ve Seen Everything. He went on to release his debut solo LP in 2024. Douglas began performing solo in the early 2020s, with those initial live dates leading directly to his self-titled debut solo album, issued on Reveal Records in 2023. Recorded live at Kyoti Studio in Glasgow with producer Mark Freegard, the record featured intimate acoustic renditions of his favourite Trashcan Sinatras tracks alongside fresh material and a cover of Prefab Sprout’s We Let The Stars Go. Outside the group, Douglas toured extensively across the UK and Ireland with his partner Eddi Reader’s band. In recent years, Douglas has balanced solo touring with his commitments alongside Reader and ongoing work with Trashcan Sinatras. This was buoyed by the high-profile reissue and renewed chart success of Cake. He has also shared stages with friends and contemporaries including Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Jill Jackson, James Grant (Love & Money), Withered Hand, and Martin McAloon of Prefab Sprout. Hundreds of fans paid tribute to the musician after his death was announced. One said: “Such sad news – Was an absolute honour to host John at The Tin in Coventry.” Another wrote: “A real gem of a man. I met one of my heroes, he became a friend, the kind that rarely comes along. A gem. I’ll miss you John, we all will.”