Bradley James Nowell was born February 22, 1968, and died May 25, 1996. He was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the frontman of the band Sublime.
Sublime had released 40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin’ the Hood (1994). The third, self-titled album Sublime was completed before his death and released posthumously.
The final show he performed was on May 24, 1996, at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, California.
On May 25, 1996 Bradley James Nowell overdosed on heroin here at the age of 28. The cause of death was officially a heroin overdose, though toxicology and coroner’s reports also discussed a possible combination of substances (heroin, alcohol, Valium).
According to a coroner’s report cited in SF Gate, Nowell had “taken the drugs and alcohol sometime before arriving at the Ocean View Motel on Judah Street about 3 a.m.”
An empty syringe was found in a dresser drawer.
The motel room where he died is commonly reported to have been Room 132.
Bradley was cremated and his ashes were spread over his favorite surfing spot in Surfside, California. A headstone was placed at Westminster Memorial in Westminster, California in his memory.
Sublime Discography
1992 – 40oz. to Freedom
1994 – Robbin’ the Hood
1996 – Sublime
Oceanview Motel
4340 Judah St
San Francisco CA 94122
Yep me and my partner stayed at the Oceanview Motel | Seascape Inn in room 131 on 07/20/2024. Had a good time, got baked, stuck the diamond right deep inside the crater and listened to all of the studio albums 40oz. to Freedom, Robbin’ the Hood, Sublime and Bradley Nowell & Friends.
RIP
Bradley Nowell 1968-1996