Sensational Soul Cruisers Singer Alan Smith Dead at 49

If you live at the Shore, you've undoubtedly enjoyed many shows from Sensational Soul Cruisers.

Whether at a beach bar or playing in front of a packed house, the Cruisers seamlessly take us back to the days of Motown with excellent covers of The Four Tops, Temptations, and many more.

Alan Smith, one of the signature voices of the legendary Shore cover and band and a member for 17 years, passed away suddenly on Saturday. He was only 49.

The band's "Captain," Steve Barlotta started the Soul Cruisers in 1990. Of Smith's passing, he told the Courier Post:

This band was [Smith's] blood. We were all brothers together. He was a gentle soul. He was the one to go out there and talk to the crowd, talk to people. He had a definite understanding love. When we did shows with kids with autism or special needs, he would go out there, sing to them, and brought them on stage.

The Soul Cruisers last show with Smith was just Friday night when they played for a jam-packed Hemingway's Cafe in Seaside Heights.

The Jersey Shore music scene has lost a great one. R.I.P. Alan Smith. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and bandmates.

Watch Alan and The Sensational Soul Cruisers rock out with Bruce at The Wonder Bar.