Kim Simmonds, a well-known musician, and Savoy Brown member died on December 13 after a lengthy fight with cancer. He was 75. Simmonds’ future gigs had to be canceled after he was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer a few months ago. Since September of last year, he has been receiving chemotherapy. The band posted a picture of him on social media and stated,
“Kim Simmonds died quietly on December 13th in the evening – may he rest in peace.”
The band also said that one of Simmonds’ “final wishes was to thank the Savoy Brown fans.”
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
Kim Simmonds was diagnosed with an uncommon kind of colon cancer.
Simmonds stated in August 2022 that he has been fighting stage-four cancer for about a year. He was diagnosed with signet-cell colon cancer, a rare type of illness that affects fewer than 1% of patients. It is often not discovered early enough to allow for recovery. He said that chemotherapy “made it difficult for me to perform concerts,” and that he also had deadened nerves in his fingers and hands. He stated:
“Chemotherapy has been a constant in my life since my first diagnosis and surgery in September of last year. It has enabled me to maintain a respectable standard of living. I’m thankful for it, as well as the excellent local health care I’ve gotten, as well as the endless support of my wife, family, and friends.”
Kim Simmonds established Savoy Brown in 1965.
Kim Simmonds, who was born on December 5, 1947, began his career as a member of Savoy Brown. He founded the band in 1965 and played on a number of occasions. Despite the fact that the lineup changed throughout the years, Simmonds, along with Pat DeSalvo and Garnet Grimm, stayed in the primary lineup until his death. Shake Down, Savoy Brown’s debut studio album was released in 1967 and got great reviews from reviewers and audiences. The band proceeded to release albums such as Getting to the Point, Blue Matter, A Step Further, Looking In, Hellbound Train, and more, as well as singles such as I’m Tired, Tell Mama, and Run to Me.
The group rose to prominence with the publication of its fifth album, Raw Sienna, in April 1970. The album debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 and CAN RPM charts. Hellbound Train, their ninth album, is famous for its hits. The album, which was released in February 1972, had eight singles that were well-received by the public.
Taking the Blues Back Home: Live in America, Savoy Brown’s most recent CD, was published in 2020. Kim Simmonds appeared in the 2008 rockumentary American Music: Off the Record, with a slew of other artists and musical groups. Simmonds had a solo career in addition to his work with Savoy Brown, during which he published five albums. Solitaire, his first solo album, was released in 1997, followed by Blues Like Midnight in 2001. Struck By Lightning in 2004, Out of the Blue in 2008, and Jazzin’ on the Blues in 2015 followed. Kim Simmonds’ wife and family members survive him.
