Savoy Brown lead musician Kim Simmonds dies aged 75 after cancer diagnosis ahead of band’s final album release-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

Messages of condolence have poured in for the late guitarist (Picture: Adam Berry/Redferns via Getty Images)

Kim Simmonds, the influential blues musician behind British band Savoy Brown, has died at the age of 75.

The announcement of his death was made on the band’s Facebook page, as a tribute post read: ‘Kim Simmonds passed away peacefully in the evening of December 13th – may he rest in peace.’

A picture posted in his honour also bore a caption featuring the lyrics from Savoy Brown’s song All I Can Do, which read: ‘You’ve gone away. I’ll get by somehow. Just right now. All I can do is cry.’

‘Please note one of Kim’s last requests was to thank fans of Savoy Brown – your support was, and shall always be, immensely appreciated,’ the message said.

In another Facebook post, the person who runs the band’s page on the social media platform said the ‘last few days and weeks have been especially difficult’ as they knew that ‘the inevitable was coming soon’.

‘I can say that Kim was writing and recording music until just before Thanksgiving. He was working on a solo album project that featured him on harmonica instead of the guitar since he’d lost the ability to play guitar due to chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. You would have loved it,’ they said.

Simmonds performing with Savoy Brown vocalist Ralph Morman in 1981 (Picture: Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

‘Of course, be on the lookout for the last Savoy Brown album to be released early in 2023.’

The statement continued: ‘At this time, please allow the Savoy Brown family some time to come to grips with the loss of Kim. As he always said, we hope his music “makes your life a little sweeter”.’

Savoy Brown, originally known as Savoy Brown Blues Band, was formed in 1965 in Battersea, London.

Savoy Brown had a variety of members over the years, but Simmonds remained a committed bandmate from the start (Picture: Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Simmonds was the only band member to remain a part of the group all the way from the beginning until his death.

The group specialised in blues rock music, gaining renown in the US.

The band went through several iterations, with original members including lead vocalist Brice Portius, bassist Ray Chappell, keyboardist Trevor Jeavons, harmonica player John O’Leary and drummer Leo Mannings.

In August this year, Simmonds announced on the Savoy Brown website that he had been receiving chemotherapy for stage four colon cancer.

All of his scheduled live performances were cancelled as a result of the side effects of his treatment.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and his daughter, Eve.

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