Swiss rock star killed in fatal motorcycle accident northeast of Las Vegas

[News_Editor]

Swiss rock star killed in fatal motorcycle accident northeast of Las Vegas

2010-10-07 05:43:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAS VEGAS (BNO NEWS) –Swiss rock star, Steve Lee, on Tuesday evening died after a fatal motorcycle accident on Interstate 15 northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, officials said on Wednesday. He was the frontman of rock band Gotthard.

The 48-year-old rocker was traveling with a group of motorcyclists when a semitrailer crashed into them due to the slippery road. A representative of German music management company Bottom Row, Gotthard's label, confirmed the death of Lee.

"Dear Fans and Friends, the inconceivable is tragic reality – Steve Lee was killed in an accident yesterday," the band posted in its official website. "With Steve Lee, we not only lose one of the world's best rock voices but also a good friend who due to his sensitivity and down-to-earth personality always met the people around him with respect."

The accident took place at about 5:30 p.m. local time near Mesquite, in Clark County. The group of motorcycles was driving northbound on Interstate 15 when they pulled over to put on rain gear.

Suddenly, a tractor-trailer lost control and hit Lee's parked motorcycle. The Swiss rock singer was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend Brigitte Voss Balzarini, and Gotthard bassist Marc Lynn witnessed the motorcycle accident.

The singer went to the U.S. with some biker friends this weekend to fulfill a long-cherished dream for which he’d never had the time. It was to be two weeks through the states on a Harley Davidson. The 21 Swiss bikers started their journey on Sunday on a total of 12 motorcycles.

Gotthard is one of the most successful rock bands in Switzerland. It was formed in Lugano by Lee and Leo Leoni in 1992. They have released eleven albums, selling millions of copies worldwide.

Gotthard's last recording, Need to Believe, was released on September 2009. They recently toured with Whitesnake and performed at Arrow Rock Festival in the Netherlands.

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