Minutemen guitarist & vocalist D. Boon died in a van accident at the far too young age of 27, but is still considered a punk rock icon. The band gained respect as one of the best and most inventive, as well as politically aware (evident in D. Boon's lyrical contributions) bands of the '80s underground. They toured heavily and recorded for SST Records, as well as New Alliance (a label started by the band).
Musically they brought jazz, punk, funk & country together into short song blasts ("jam econo") and included some covers (parodies?) of classic rock tunes. It all came to a halt with Boon's young end. The legacy is huge.