San Diego Music Icon Tim Lowman,Known as low Volts,Dies in Motorcycle Crash
A beloved figure in the San Diego music scene,Tim Lowman,also known as Low Volts,tragically died early Sunday morning in a motorcycle collision in Balboa Park. The multi-San Diego music Award winner was 51 years old.
News of Lowman’s passing spread quickly throughout the local music community, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance. Hosts of 91x’s Sunday night local-music show, Loudspeaker, announced they would dedicate the program to the memory of the singer and musician, who also performed with The Blackout Party.
According to the San Diego Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of Pershing Drive. Lowman’s motorcycle collided with an SUV after
Lowman was a familiar presence in San Diego’s vibrant music landscape. He was often seen performing at the Casbah, recognizable by his signature flat-brimmed black hat and leather jacket, and frequently appeared at local street festivals showcasing his uniquely decorated bass drum featuring double-lightning-bolt designs and his skillful slide guitar playing. NBC 7’s SoundDiego platform featured Lowman multiple times, including a SoundDiego LIVE performance at North Park’s Seven Grand bar alongside his collaborators, the Killowatts – a group of percussionists, dancers, and backup vocalists.
His musical achievements were recognized in 2011 when Low Volts received SDMA awards for both Best New Artist and Best Blues Album. That same evening, Lowman celebrated another victory as a member of The Blackout Party, who were awarded Best Americana. A partially restored archived video from 2013 shows Low Volts preparing for a SoundDiego LIVE performance at Seven Grand: https://example.com/lowvolts-soundiego-live-2013.
During the 2010s, Lowman spent time in Nashville, Tennessee, where his talent continued to shine. He opened for Bryan Setzer of the Stray Cats at the Ryman Auditorium and later toured with Setzer.
In recent years, Lowman found both personal and professional fulfillment. He married fellow San Diego musician Dani Bell in September 2022, with a ceremony officiated by Billy Gibbons of ZZ top, who was in town to perform at the San Diego Blues festival. The connection between Lowman and Gibbons was facilitated by longtime San Diego music scene fixture Tim Pyles. Lowman also enjoyed international success, recently completing his third European tour in 2025, and sharing updates from Hamburg, Germany, on social media.
Bell, currently touring as the bass player with Portugal. The Man, including appearances at Coachella and in Europe, asked for privacy for her family in a statement released Monday. She requested that friends and loved ones share memories, photos, and videos with the family via email at [email protected], to be preserved for their young daughter.
The loss of Lowman has resonated deeply within the San Diego music community. “He was a true talent, a beatiful friend and a kind soul,” shared Timothy Joseph, co-host of Loudspeaker. “San Diego has lost another precious son. We will always remember.”
Deadbolt bassist Gary Burns described Lowman as “truly one of a kind,” praising his “bluesy psycho-delic swampy sonic assault as the Low Volts” and his down-to-earth personality. Drew Douglas, another local music fixture, expressed the profound impact of Lowman’s passing, stating, “Tim is so much more than a musical brother in our community – he is my friend and my neighbor, and I can’t even speak about him in the past tense right now.”
The San Diego Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The outpouring of grief and remembrance serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Tim Lowman, a musician who touched the lives of many through his talent, kindness, and unwavering passion for music.
