John Mullins, vocalist and founding member of ekoostik hookah, passed away unexpectedly yesterday.

Mullins, along with keyboardist Dave Katz, founded the Ohio jamband shortly after meeting in 1991. The duo then enlisted guitarist Steve Sweney, Steve Frey and Cliff Starbuck to formally birth ekoostik hookah. The group toured throughout much of the early 90s before Mullins left the band in 1996 before returning a decade later. He permanently left the group in March of 2010.

In a statement, Katz said, “I will forever be grateful that we met, and for the ‘magic’ that we were able to create together. I know that, had we not met, I would not be where I am today, or the person I am today.”