Last night (11/24) brought the awful news that Planes Mistaken For Stars frontman Gared O’Donnell died at age 44 after a battle with stage III esophageal cancer, and tributes to Gared from fellow musicians and others in the music industry have come pouring in. Laura Jane Grace, Converge, Dashboard Confessional, Strike Anywhere, Samiam, Chris Broach (Braid), Mike Park (Asian Man Records), Pianos Become the Teeth, La Dispute, Touche Amore’s Jeremy Bolm and Clayton Stevens, Cold Cave, The Ataris, Ruiner, Vile Creature, Matt Bayles, Dan Ozzi (author of SELLOUT), and more.
“Planes Mistaken For Stars forever has been a huge inspiration and I don’t know if we would have been a band without his/their influence,” Pianos Become the Teeth wrote. “Wouldn’t be who I am today without the presence of Planes and of Gared in my life over the last 20 years, as an artist and a person,” added La Dispute.
Laura Jane Grace said, “Gared was a medium on stage, totally possessed. He played guitar like he was shooting a lightening bolt machine gun. Honored to have shared so many miles and good times with Gared and Planes and I will fucking miss those days always. The world has lost a real one.”
When Gared was initially diagnosed, a GoFundMe was launched to help him and his family, and you can still donate.
Tributes to Gared continue below…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtdfbFldHJ/
So sad to learn that Gared O'Donnell has passed away. While I don’t know them personally I’ve been a fan of Planes Mistaken For Stars since the late ‘90s and remain one now. Rip Gared. Thank you for the countless hours I’ve spent with your songs.
— Dashboard Confessional (@dashboardmusic) November 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/chrisbroach/status/1463892393594441733
RIP to Gared O'Donnell from Planes Mistaken For Stars. Toured with Planes in 2004. Gared was a kind soul. They all were. Much love to Mikey and Chuck and to all the extended PMFS family. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Asian Man Records (@asianmanrecords) November 25, 2021
RIP to Gared O’Donnell. @planes666 forever has been a huge inspiration and I don’t know if we would have been a band without his/their influence. This one hurts. Love and light to the entire PMFS family. Thunder in the night forever.
— Pianos Become The Teeth (@pianosband) November 25, 2021
Not for everyone and I’ll keep it short: wouldn’t be who I am today without the presence of Planes and of Gared in my life over the last 20 years, as an artist and a person. The debt is deep and unpayable, and many of us share it. Requiescat. We ride to fight.
— La Dispute (@ladisputeband) November 25, 2021
Played a show with @planes666 the night before Gared’s 40th bday (at 12am everyone celebrated) and after only personally meeting him the night before, I felt compelled to rush out and find him a birthday card after our set. I wanted to show him love and gratitude. (1/3)
— Jeremy Bolm (@JeremyXBolm) November 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/clayton_stevens/status/1463731968730796035
Gared O’Donnell.. rest easy Brother. pic.twitter.com/dg5Q2hMM4a
— COLD CAVE (@ColdCave23) November 25, 2021
And so it seems somewhere, somehow, the wonder was stolen.
Up In Them Guts was seminal, Planes Mistaken for Stars is legendary, Gared's voice was as unique as it was haunting. Rest easy.
— Vile Creature (@vilecreature666) November 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/danozzi/status/1463717564513603588
Fucking gutted. I know how much he meant to the people who loved him. I’m just glad I got the chance to be in the Planes Mistaken for Stars orbit at all. #garedodonnell #PlanesMistakenForStars https://t.co/Kyfuu4QQs5
— Matt Bayles (@mattbayles) November 25, 2021
Bummed to hear about the passing of Gared O’Donnell of planes mistaken for stars, took this photo of him around 2002. Unmistakable voice, RIP. pic.twitter.com/ZKiALh8utL
— Rob Dobi 🏁 (@Robdobi) November 25, 2021
Gared O’Donnell has passed away and it is devastating. Such a special soul that has been a joy to call a friend and peer. It has been an honor to work for him over the years. We will continue to celebrate him through the art and music he has gifted to the world.
Love you, Gared. pic.twitter.com/d2Eukui8St
— Deathwish (@deathwishinc) November 25, 2021
R.I.P. to Gared and our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. ❤️ https://t.co/rUSxcQKRxr
— The Fest (@thefestfl) November 25, 2021
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWupBakLj5v/
A goddamn hall of fame voice in punk and a sweet man is gone. Planes Mistaken For Stars for fucking ever
— Such Gold (@SuchGold) November 25, 2021
Listen to Planes Mistaken For Stars today and everyday. R.I.P. Gared O’Donnell
— Sell The Heart Records 🌯 (@selltheheart) November 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/DBAnthony/status/1463883513346899970
https://twitter.com/scottheisel/status/1463844142258216963