Thank you… and good night.
Jack Sonni
Known affectionately at the time as the “other guitar player in Dire Straits”, Pennsylvania -born Jack Sonni joined the band in 1984, not long before they took off globally with the following year’s album Brothers In Arms, and was with them for four years. Sonni was 68. Cause of death has not been announced.
Steve Harwell
Steve Harwell was the singer with the multimillion-selling, Grammy-nominated US punks Smash Mouth from the band’s inception in 1994 until his retirement in 2021 due to ongoing health issues (Smash Mouth continue to the present day). The 56-year-old died of liver failure. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life, burning brightly across the universe before burning out,” commented the band’s manager Robert Hayes.
Tom Davies
American band Nebula have paid tribute to their long-serving bass player, who died following his difficult nine-month battle with leukemia. He was 48. “We are crushed losing our brother, band mate and friend, but we are also blessed to have known, created and been a part of his life that was cut too short,” said a band statement. “Tom faced every hurdle with great strength, courage, determination and of course humour.”
Bruce Guthrie
Celtic-rockers Runrig have announced the passing of their lead singer Bruce Guthrie at the age of 62 following a long battle with cancer. Born in Nova Scotia in Canada, he joined Runrig in 1998. “Everyone associated with Runrig is heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend and such a special musical colleague,” said a statement from the group from the Isle of Skye, who called it a day in 2018.
Brendan Croker
Mark Knopfler broke the news of the death of Brendan Croker, his bandmate in the Notting Hillbillies, who had been suffering from leukaemia. The Hillbillies were the Dire Straits guitarist’s countryrock project. “Brendan was a true artist in every way,” Knopfler said. “He appeared eccentric to many but was
