The music world is in mourning following the death of Justin Baren, the cherished bassist and vocalist for Chicago pop-rock band The Redwalls. He was just 40 years old.
A Peaceful Passing and a Music Legacy
Baren, a founding member of the group that found fame straight out of high school, died on November 28. His father, Martin Baren, told the Chicago Sun-Times his son passed away "peacefully", though a cause of death has not been made public. The band confirmed the devastating news in a heartfelt statement, describing Justin as an "essential part" of their identity.
"His energy, intuition, and raw musicality helped shape who we were," the statement read. "Not just as a band, but as a group of kids trying to make something meaningful together."
From Deerfield High School to Capitol Records
Growing up in Deerfield, Illinois, Justin and his older brother Logan, now 43, were captivated by the sounds of the 1960s British Invasion, drawing inspiration from icons like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. While still students at Deerfield High School, they formed a band called The Pages in 2001 with friends Andrew Langer and Jordan Kozer.
By 2003, they had rebranded as The Redwalls and were making waves in the Chicago music scene, releasing their debut album Universal Blues. Their ambition was clear. "We wanted to get into the real music scene," Justin said in a 2005 interview. "We wanted to be Downtown where it was happening."
Their dedication paid off spectacularly. Before even graduating, the band secured a life-changing contract with Capitol Records—the legendary label behind The Beatles. Their major-label debut, De Nova, arrived in 2005, propelling them onto national television and onto tours with giants like Oasis.
Former drummer Jordan Kozer recalled Baren's prowess: "He was a small guy who had a big vibe on that bass. His tone and groove were really solid... he grooved harder than any band I ever played with."
A Revival Tragically Interrupted
After lineup changes and a third album, the band's activity slowed as members pursued adult lives. Justin moved to Florida, working in sales but never abandoning songwriting. However, earlier this year, a revival was firmly in motion.
"Justin was really getting excited," Kozer revealed. "The music sounded good and the whole thing was about to be revived." Baren, his brother Logan, and former member Ben Greeno were actively relaunching The Redwalls. Justin was preparing to move to Denver, Colorado to be closer to the project, and they were compiling an album of cleaned-up old recordings and three new songs.
Their manager, Ryan Manda, said the album will now serve as a tribute, "to honor and respect and elevate [Justin's] memory."
The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and friends online. One tribute read, "This is like a knife cutting straight to the guts. So unbelievable." Another remembered him as "a gentle, kind, creative soul," a sentiment echoing through the countless messages left for the musician gone too soon.
