Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller lost a year-long battle to esophageal cancer Friday (June 17) and died in his Minneapolis, Minnesota home. He was 41.

Mueller was diagnosed in May 2004 and has spent the past 13 months in and out of hospitals. In October 2004, a number of prominent Minnesota artists, including Husker Du’s Bob Mould and the Replacements’ Paul Westerberg were among those who performed at a benefit to raise money for Mueller.

Mould recalled Mueller’s outlook at that time. "Even then, in the face of all that had happened, and was to come, Karl was still Karl - upbeat, welcoming, humble," Mould said. "Karl was one of the nicest people I have ever encountered. He always let you know where he stood, and rarely had anything but kind words for those around him."

His bandmates and his wife are expected to release statements in the coming days. Funeral arrangements are pending.