Savoy Brown founder and blues legend dies aged 75

Savoy Brown founder and UK blues legend Kim Simmonds has died at the age of 75, the band have announced.

The singer died last Tuesday (December 13) after a battle with a rare form of signet cell colon cancer.

“Kim Simmonds passed away peacefully in the evening of December 13th — may he rest in peace,” Savoy Brown wrote on Facebook.

“Please note one of Kim’s last requests was to thank the fans of Savoy Brown,” they added. “Your support was and shall always be immensely appreciated.

Kim Simmonds passed away peacefully in the evening of December 13th — may he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/0mTDwKyceU

— Savoy Brown (@officialsavoyb) December 15, 2022

Back in August, Simmonds announced that he had been battling cancer for a year. “I’ve been receiving chemotherapy and that has made it hard for me to play gigs,” he said in a statement at the time.

“One of the side effects is peripheral neuropathy which has now deadened the nerves in my fingers and hands (feet too).”

The Savoy Brown Blues Band were formed by an 18-year-old Simmonds in 1965, alongside vocalist Brice Portius, keyboardist Trevor Jeavons, bassist Ray Chappell, drummer Leo Manning and harmonica player John O’Leary. They went on to become pioneers in the post-Beatles blues movement in the UK.

Releasing albums consistently since the band’s formation, Simmonds’ debut solo album, ‘Solitaire’, landed in 1997.

After Billboard-topping 2017 album ‘Witchy Feeling’, Savoy Brown released two albums in 2020 – ‘Ain’t Done Yet’ and ‘Taking the Blues Back Home’. Live shows in 2021 were then postponed due to Simmonds’ cancer battle.

Among those paying tribute to Simmonds was Joe Bonamassa, who wrote: “Kim Simmonds was one of kindest souls I’d had ever met in this business of music. Always smiling and jovial. He along with Lonesome Dave made some beautiful records with Savoy Brown. Rest in Peace Kim. You will be missed.”

Kim Simmonds was one of kindest souls I’d had ever met in this business of music. Always smiling and jovial. He along with Lonesome Dave made some beautiful records with Savoy Brown. Rest in Peace Kim. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/LU05vG4n02

— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) December 16, 2022

See more tributes to the late guitarist below.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Kim Simmonds, our sincere condolences to his friends and family. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/pWXi7Rnc1u

— Thorogood&Destroyers (@thorogoodmusic) December 16, 2022

Reflecting on the passing of Kim Simmonds this morning. He certainly was generous with having me sit in with Savoy Brown over the decades. He was incredibly prolific, always creating and honing his craft. A great guy and a big inspiration for me.@officialsavoyb pic.twitter.com/ExaDkJaY4R

— David “King Of Boogie” Gogo (@DavidGogoBlues) December 18, 2022

RIP Kim Simmonds pic.twitter.com/OcmTRO8KEH

— Richard S. Frazer 通 (@guttergourmet) December 16, 2022

Sad to hear Kim Simmonds of @officialsavoyb has died. I was fortunate to see him live on a great double bill show with Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack back in 2019. Really great rocking British blues. Sad that so many of these great rockers are now passing. 🎸 #SavoyBrown https://t.co/CDOlJ1oyig pic.twitter.com/qxlPws8YUH

— Custodian Enstone (@CustodianEnsto1) December 16, 2022

“Music is something you share with people, even listening to music. It’s better to listen to music with a friend or friends in a room, than listening by yourself. The experience of sharing music is extremely important.”
Sail away #KimSimmonds https://t.co/YObop7ATHG pic.twitter.com/z0cer3kkKd

— G.U.Mass (@GeorgiosMasman2) December 16, 2022

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