Bradley James Nowell (February 22, 1968 – May 25, 1996) was an American musician who served as the founder, lead singer, andguitarist of the ska-punk band Sublime. He died at the age of 28 from a heroin overdose shortly before the release of Sublime's self-titledmajor label debut. Raised in Long Beach, California, Nowell developed an interest in music at a young age. His father took him on a trip to the Virgin Islandsduring childhood, which exposed him to reggae and dancehall music. Nowell played in various bands until forming the group Sublime with bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh, whom he had met while attending California State University, Long Beach. As Sublime gained success, Nowell struggled with a worsening addiction to heroin, eventually dying of a heroin overdose while Sublime was on tour on May 25, 1996.
