Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Ed Stroud, Atlanta guitarist on Outkast, TLC songs, has died

Atlanta guitarist Ed Stroud, who played on hits from Outkast and TLC, died Jan. 25, 2020. Photo: Contributed
Atlanta guitarist Ed Stroud, who played on hits from Outkast and TLC, died Jan. 25, 2020. Photo: Contributed
By Melissa Ruggieri
Jan 30, 2020

Longtime Atlanta guitarist Ed Stroud has passed away at the age of 57.

Stroud, whose playing can be heard on numerous Outkast songs, beginning with their 1994 debut, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” as well as their 1996 follow-up, “ATLiens,” was found dead on Jan. 25 inside an East Point recording studio. The cause of death is unknown, according to longtime Stroud musician friend Jeffree Charles. Stroud had battled numerous health issues for several years.

In addition to his notable playing with Outkast, Stroud’s also the distinctive guitar heard on TLC’s smash, “Waterfalls,” from their mega-selling 1994 album, “CrazySexyCool .”

A public celebration of life will be held for Stroud at 11 a.m. Feb. 1 at Jackson Memorial (534 Fairburn Road, Atlanta).

Stroud was a regular presence at Café 290 and in 2016 recorded the song, "Where is the Love," with Charles. The same night as the recording session, Stroud escaped a deadly house fire when his poodle, Gracie, barked and licked his face to awaken him. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the musician suffered second-degree burns on his face and arms, but his guitar-playing hands were spared. Stroud credited his pet with saving his life.

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About the Author

Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.

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