August 25: Bass player, Doug Stegmeyer died on this day 1n 1995.

He was 43 when he died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Stegmeyer, along with guitarist Russell Javors and drummer Liberty Devito were members of the band Topper. Billy Joel recruited Stegmeyer to play bass on his third album, "Streetlight Serenade." Afterwards, Stegmeyer encouraged Joel to let Javors and Devito join the band, and Topper became known as "The Billy Joel Band."

Stegmeyer played bass and backing vocals at Joel's concerts and on every one of Joel's studio albums from Turnstiles through The Bridge and the live albums Songs in the Attic and КОНЦЕРТ. Throughout his tenure with Joel, Stegmeyer was dubbed "The Sargeant Of The Billy Joel Band."

Stegmeyer - along with Javors - were released from Joel's band in 1989. Stegmeyer also played bass for Debbie Gibson and Hall & Oates.

"Joel Introduces Band Members including Doug Stegmeyer"
-- "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" (1978)
-- "New York State of Mind"
-- "Only the Good Die Young" (1982)

PICTURE ABOVE FROM MEMORIAL PAGE FOR DOUG STEGMEYER