There’s a music angle to one of the recent Star Trek-related deaths

It’s been a bad few days for Star Trek alumni.

First, we heard of the death of Robert Walker Jr, the actor who played the telepathic Charlie in the original series episode “Charlie X.” He was 79.

Then came word of the death of Odo the grumpy shape-shifting security chief on Deep Space Nine. René Auberjonois was also known as Father John Mulcahy in the 1971 movie adaptation of M*A*S*H*. He was also 70.

Most recently, we learned of the death of Michael Lamper. Not only was he a guest star on a Star Trek: TNG episode as an Acamarian Gatherer called “The Vengence Factor,” he was also the real-life husband of Martina Sirtis, the actress who played Deanna Troi. He died in his sleep Saturday (December 7) at age 61.

Lamper’s full-time gig was as a guitarist. Over the course of his career, he played alongside Tommy Shaw (ex-Styx), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Los Lobos, The Allman Brothers, and even Quiet Riot. He also had a gig as lead singer in a band called Steely Jam.