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Train member Charlie Colin pictured in never-before-seen photos as his high school mentor pays tribute after shock death at 58: 'I taught him everything I could'

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Former Train member Charlie Colin is featured in never-before-seen photos obtained by DailyMail.com after his tragic death at 58.

Colin, who reportedly died in an accident while living in Belgium, showed off his inimitable cool and his passion for music in the photos taken by his longtime friend Gregory J. Chamberlain, a businessman based in Texas.

On Wednesday, Chamberlain shared a statement describing how he and and Colin met in high school and bonded over music.

He described how he shared his love of the bass with the future hitmaker, who was an aspiring guitarist at the time, though he later adopted Chamberlain's instrument of choice. 

Colin, whose mother told TMZ that he died after he 'slipped and fell in the shower' while housesitting for a friend, looked cool and collected in one picture showing him enjoying a meal at what looked like a Mexican restaurant.

Former Train bassist Charlie Colin, whose death at 58 was reported on Wednesday, is pictured in never-before-seen photos from his high school 'buddy' Gregory J. Chamberlain, including one relaxed snap of him enjoying dinner at a Mexican restaurant

Former Train bassist Charlie Colin, whose death at 58 was reported on Wednesday, is pictured in never-before-seen photos from his high school 'buddy' Gregory J. Chamberlain, including one relaxed snap of him enjoying dinner at a Mexican restaurant

The performer, who was a founding member of the chart-topping band Train, appeared to be enjoying a margarita, and he covered his shaggy blond hair with a black beanie while sporting a refined goatee. 

Another of Chamberlain's photos showed Colin hard at work on his biggest passion, music.

He was pictured in the black-and-white image as he sat at a Roland electric keyboard.

It wasn't clear if he was recording or just practicing, but he had a full setup, including a microphone dangling from the ceiling above the keyboard and other equipment on the desk behind him, including a laptop. 

Colin's shaggy hair went free this time, and he was decked out in a graphic T-shirt and jeans with casual sneakers.

He held a thin case for a burned CD in his hand.

'All I can say is I am devastated,' Chamberlain said in a statement on his website on Wednesday paying tribute to his late friend. 'I am a little too sad for words.'

'I first met Charlie when I was a senior in high school and he was a freshman,' Chamberlain said. 'His sister was the one who introduced us, and she had hoped I could hang out with him and bring him up to speed on a musical level. 

'I was invited to their house to meet where we jammed and hit it off, immediately.'

Chamberlain said that 'at the time, [Colin's] primary instrument was guitar and mine was the electric and upright bass, which Charlie also became interested in, so I taught him everything I could.'

Another photo showed Colin practicing or recording music. Chamberlain described meeting when he was a senior and Colin was a freshman in high school

Another photo showed Colin practicing or recording music. Chamberlain described meeting when he was a senior and Colin was a freshman in high school

Colin was then a guitar player, but Chamberlain shared his love of the bass with him, and Colin later took up the instrument after copious jam sessions; (L¿R) Michael Rogers, Gregory J. Chamberlain and Michael's father, the jazz musician Milton 'Shorty' Rogers

Colin was then a guitar player, but Chamberlain shared his love of the bass with him, and Colin later took up the instrument after copious jam sessions; (L–R) Michael Rogers, Gregory J. Chamberlain and Michael's father, the jazz musician Milton 'Shorty' Rogers

Chamberlain said that Colin 'grew into a world class songwriter, guitarist and bassist' and 'had a great many other talents, including but not limited to being a world class painter and sculptor'; The artist was pictured in October of 2013 in LA

Chamberlain said that Colin 'grew into a world class songwriter, guitarist and bassist' and 'had a great many other talents, including but not limited to being a world class painter and sculptor'; The artist was pictured in October of 2013 in LA 

Chamberlain said that 'it was not long after that, when I had convinced Charlie's mom the virtues of soundproofing their garage and turning it into a rehearsal studio, that it became a reality almost overnight.'

Chamberlain said that Colin 'grew into a world class songwriter, guitarist and bassist' and 'had a great many other talents, including but not limited to being a world class painter and sculptor.'

Chamberlain wrapped up his post in saying, 'I could easily write a few chapters on knowing Charlie and his family and wide circle of friends.

'But for now, I am a little too sad for words. Rest in Peace ol' buddy! See you on the other side!'

Colin was a founding member of the band Train with Pat Monahan, Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood.

The group is best known for their 2001 hit Drops of Jupiter, with other notable singles such as 1998's Meet Virginia, 2003's Calling All Angels and 2009's Hey, Soul Sister.

The band paid tribute to its late member in a post Wednesday afternoon penned by lead singer Pat Monahan, the only remaining founding member of the group.

'When I met Charlie Colin, front left, I fell in love with him,' the post began. 'He was THE sweetest guy and what a handsome chap. Let’s make a band that’s the only reasonable thing to do.

Colin's 'unique bass playing and beautiful guitar work helped get folks to notice us in SF and beyond,' the band said. 'I’ll always have a warm place for him in my heart. I always tried to pull him closer but he had a vision of his own. 

'For now, I am a little too sad for words. Rest in Peace ol' buddy! See you on the other side!' Chamberlain concluded his loving statement

'For now, I am a little too sad for words. Rest in Peace ol' buddy! See you on the other side!' Chamberlain concluded his loving statement

Colin (L) was seen in Train's music video for its 2001 hit Drops of Jupiter alongside vocalist Pat Monahan

Colin (L) was seen in Train's music video for its 2001 hit Drops of Jupiter alongside vocalist Pat Monahan

Colin was a founding member of the band Train with Pat Monahan, Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood

Colin was a founding member of the band Train with Pat Monahan, Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood 

The band paid tribute to its late member in a post Wednesday afternoon penned by lead singer Pat Monahan (center), the only remaining founding member of Train

The band paid tribute to its late member in a post Wednesday afternoon penned by lead singer Pat Monahan (center), the only remaining founding member of Train

The post concluded, 'You’re a legend, Charlie. Go charm the pants off those angels.'

The tribute came after Colin's mother confirmed to TMZ that the musician was found dead at a home in Brussels, Belgium that he was staying at as a housesitting favor.

Colin's mother told the outlet that her son's passing came 'after he slipped and fell in the shower' and that 'no one found Charlie until his friends returned home' from a trip last week.

Colin's mother said her son had been in Europe for multiple professional endeavors, including working as an educator at a conservatory, as well as a music studio.

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