Felipe Lipe, founding bassist of Spanish rock band Tequila, dies at 68

Spanish musician Felipe Gutiérrez Muñoz, known as Felipe Lipe, the bassist and co‑founder of the rock group Tequila, died at age 68 in Ocaña, Toledo. The death, which occurred on 4 August 2026, was confirmed by bandmate Ariel Rot on Instagram, where he expressed sorrow and recalled recording sessions in the Barrio de la Concepción.

Tequila, formed in Madrid in 1976 by Argentine singers Alejo Stivel and Ariel Rot together with Spanish members Julián Infante, Felipe Lipe and Manolo Iglesias, became a defining act of Spain’s post‑Franco rock scene and the early Movida Madrileña. Their hits such as “Salta”, “Rock and Roll en la plaza del pueblo” and “Quiero besarte” remain popular. Lipe had previously struggled with drug and alcohol issues and had left the band in 1983 before its final breakup.

His death marks the loss of a key figure in Spanish rock history.