A local musician known for his blues-style guitar playing and vocals was identified as the motorcycle rider killed in a Balboa Park crash early Sunday.
Tim Lowman, the winner of multiple San Diego Music Awards, died shortly after the motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV around 1:40 a.m. on Pershing Drive near Florida Drive, according to the county Medical Examiner’s Office.
A witness called 911, and paramedics were dispatched to the scene, the medical examiner said. Lowman, 51, died before he could be taken to a hospital.
Lowman was the great-grandson of a traveling gospel singer who was framed for murder and faced the electric chair, according to his website. Low Volts, his one-man, four-piece band, was named in his great-grandfather’s honor.
His band won awards for best new artist and best blues album at the San Diego Music Awards in 2011, best local recording in 2012 and the best rock award in 2013. His other group, Blackout Party, also won local awards in 2011.
On social media, 91X radio show host Michael Marty Whitney mourned Lowman’s passing and said that he was lucky to have filmed his act during a pandemic-lockdown event in 2020.
“Unique guitar, standing on a bass drum, with tambourine chirping,” Whitney said. “I’ve never wanted to be as cool as anyone else….except Tim Lowman.”
Timothy Joseph, one of 91X’s Loudspeaker hosts, said Sunday night’s radio program was dedicated to Lowman, calling the blues guitarist a “dear friend and musical brother.”
“Our hearts go out to Tim’s family and all of those who know and love him,” Joseph said on Facebook. “He was a true talent, a beautiful friend and a kind soul.”