It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Milton musician Sean Cunnington, who passed away on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus. He was a member of the band Elmwood Underground and also backed up a number of musicians. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
His band, Elmwood Underground, left the following message on their Facebook page:
With extremely heavy hearts, we must announce the loss of one of our own. Sean Cunnington, writer, guitar player and producer for Elmwood Underground, passed away late on March 17. We are devastated by the loss, but plan to honour his musical legacy by continuing to release the music that we have completed, as it would have been his wishes to do so. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sean's wife Teri, and his three daughters. You will be missed brother, Rest peacefully now.
Here is his obituary:
With tremendous sadness the family of Sean Cunnington announces his sudden passing on Wednesday March 18, 2020. Sean leaves behind his wife Teri, daughters Rachel (Jason), Emily (Joe) and Sara (Humza) and step-mom Toby. Brother-in-law to Kari & Gerry, Bonnie and Linda. Uncle to Spencer, Mollie and Jamie. Sean will also be missed by his extended family, countless friends and his music community.
We awoke to find you gone, and now the weight of the world seems harder to bear. You were the bright thread of our weave, now gone from the loom. You touched us all with your many gifts, and we were blessed to know you. Your warmth, inclusive nature, your ever-present smile and ready laugh. A laugh; equal in measure when things went wrong, as when things went right. We will miss that laugh, and your sense of humor; wry, ironic, always meant to disarm and delight. ‘…A piece of string walks into a bar…’ Only you could retell the many jokes we already knew, the more groans and eye-rolling you could elicit the better. We laughed because you laughed, your joy was infectious. Sean, we cannot think of you without hearing music. Music possessed you and you it. To hear and see you play was like watching someone who has taught themselves to fly. We close our eyes and still hear your inimitable style as you would soar effortlessly unbound by the musical gravity anchoring the rest of us to earth. A guitar in your hands completed you, and you must know the joy you provided to us. Your grace and communication style drew an ever widening circle of people to you and we the lucky; cherished belonging to you. Your social grace and timing impeccable, you always knew when to lay back in the mix, and when to cut to the front. Now we are left only with memories, echoes of you and your legacy. You have left too soon, and we are now less than we were. Treadmill Mr. Cunnington, my One and Only, treadmill.
A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Canada would be appreciated.
He was one of the most energetic, fun, and creative people I ever met - and one hell of a guitar player. He was always thinking of ways to make learning music fun for people, and did such a wonderful job helping to build The T-Rox Music Academy. Rest in Peace, Sean.
Sean was one of the most positive and fearless, hard working people I knew. I’m so glad that he saw us release his vision and music only a few weeks ago. Much love to Seans wife and three children during this terrible time. RIP
My heart goes out to Sean's family, friends and bandmates at this time, such an unexpected event. Very proud to have known Sean for so long, to have toured together, performed in other projects together, and ultimately working together to release his final recordings. Your legacy shall live on in music. Rest well.
He was a vibrant, kind and hilarious person, a killer musician, and great to work with. I send my love to his family and friends as we process this shocking news. RIP Sean.
I still remember the day My Dad brought home two cassette tapes (Ktel) Kenny Rogers greatest hits and Elton John's greatest hits. I was maybe 6 or 7 years old and I played them till they didn’t work anymore. Kenny Rogers was my favourite back then and I still know every word on that tape off by heart. It has come in handy many times when an audience drunkenly chants until we give in and play the Gambler but so many great classic 70s country songs. Thank you to my Dad Alan Hails for bringing those tapes into my Life and thanks to Kenny Rogers for singing some great slick country stories that were music to a 6 year olds ears! RIP Kenny, you sure made some good chicken. I will be spinning and picking some Classic KG today!
Back in around 1970 Dan Munro and I played a gig in The West End of Toronto. A girl asked us to go to a house party in Misissauga after . We of course went and found ourselves upstairs in the living room hanging with another new band called the "First Edition" Another young singer Mac Davis and I pulled out our guitars and jammed for while on the porch and we all got really high lol. I actually showed Mac a few blues licks Great memory and nice people. Kenny was a really great guy.RIP...
The Ensemble!train keeps rolling as the third fabulous episode of the current seasonwill be available shortly. This Cable 14 Hamilton TV show will feature two local singer/songwriters: Chris Streiand Jocelyn June. Big Rude Jakecontinues as the host. The episode was filmed at Hamilton's Birchway Sound.
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