Y&T's Phil Kennemore passes away

[whiplash1972]

From Dave Meniketti via the Y&T messageboard:

 

http://www.meniketti...ead.php?t=33058

 

The Passing of Phil Kennemore It is with profound sadness and disbelief that I tell you that my best buddy for 37 years passed away this morning, January 7, 2011 at 1am at Stanford Hospital. Bravely and steadfastly battling the horrible spectacle of lung cancer, at the end he was surrounded by his family members, and the Y&T family up until his final breath.

 

All the beautiful things that I could say about my buddy Phil could never be summed up in a short sentence or two, and I promise that I will be back to say so much more about how I feel about him and his talents in due time. But for now, at 3am, after just having returned home from his passing, let me at least put this out there.

 

Phil Kennemore was not only a sweet and passionate man with his life, friends and family, but as an artist, he also had that rare ability to say what was on his mind with the most eloquent, clever, and to-the-point lyrics, yet could turn it on it's head in a second with some other viewpoint on reality and nail the point dead center. He was able to do what very few can - say the things that others have been thinking, but could never quite seem to put into words. He has always had a keen knack for doing that.

 

As a musician, with those huge fingers, his bass playing was always loud, strong, and deep, filling the largest or smallest of stages equally.

 

He had an amazingly strong life force that has influenced everyone who ever had the opportunity to be called a friend of his. I am forever grateful for our lifelong friendship, that was always in place throughout the worst and best of times. I will miss his sense of humor, his amazing wit, but most of all I will always miss not seeing him to my left on the stages I will play from this moment forward.

 

Yes, he was one of the class guys on this planet, and in this business, and I will always do what I can to spread the legacy of Phil Kennemore across the globe on every stage that I land on.

 

You know how much I love you Phil, and you knew how much your fans and fellow musicians loved and respected you. There was nothing left unsaid. You had a rich and wonderful life and I can only tell you that I was happy to have been alongside you every step of the glorious way.

 

Cheers to you, Phil.

 

Your friend forever,

-Dave

 

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Crushing news this morning; R.I.P. Phil, you will be greatly missed.

[DaHun72]

R.I.P Phil, thanks for the music. Why do we have to get old so quickly

[Studboy]

This truly sucks!

[JamesEagle]

Very sad news, but a great eulogy from Dave Meniketti.

[Swazi]

This truly sucks!

 

Yes, it does ! R.I.P., Phil.

[Faron]

Massively sad news

[Nick C]

Sad news...R.I.P.

[kourosofsteel]

RIP from a sentimental fool

[Fat Freddy]

That's a shame. R.I.P.

[Rockposer]

Very sad indeed!

[The Rocker]

R.I.P. Phil and ROCK ON \m/

[staryder1]

R.I.P. PHIL

[martinsane]

Another icon of my fomitive years passes... sad sad day for music.

 

I will honor Phil with a few spins of Barroom Boogie and a small kodle of the guitar pick I got from him on the Open Fire tour.

 

RIP Phil or to quote Big Man Dave: "Play it Phil!"

[Thomas/Coastline]

Very sad to hear that!

[AlphaMale]

Damn.... we are losing way too many great musicians. This sucks.

 

I'm still getting over Steve Lee's death and now Phil? Dammit.

[phaffas]

Sad

[blindjester]

Sad, 2 in 2 days. My condolenses to Phil's family and Y&T.

[bangerdave]

R.I.P Phil you will always live on through the great recordings of Y&T,so saddened to hear of your passing.

[RichieZ]

Crushing news indeed...R.I.P. Mr. Kennemore

[eaglesfan3000]

That's terrible news RIP.

[heaven&hell]

Just crushing horrible news. It seems that it was just a few months back that it was announced that he was going through treatment so I really didn't expect him to be gone this quickly or at all. Most don't know how big Phil was to Y&T and what he was for their songwriting with both music and lyrics. The guy was a monster bass player and hopefully now in death he will get recognized for his contribution to the music world. Also a shame is that Y&T have seemed to tour more and more every year for the last few years and finally put out a new album(the excellent Facemelter from 2010). I wonder what Dave will do now. I guess they might continue on with Brad Laing(Jet Red) on bass since he's been touring with them since Phil got sick. Either way RIP Phil, you will be missed.

You and Y&T were a huge part of my love for hard rock and metal music since the day I stole my sisters cassette that had Kiss' Crazy Nights on one side and after being bored I flipped it over to discover Y&T's Contagious and went backwards picking up all of the old Y&T and never looked back. Thanks for the music and the great memories.

 

I play your great lead vocal from "Squeeze" in tribute.

[Geoff]

Yes indeed, very sad news. Like Wes, it comes as a bit of a surprise as the last I read it seemed he was in with a chance and there was the possibility he'd be back on stage again.

 

Cancer. Man, what can you say about it? Truly dreadful. R.I.P. Phil, and thanks for your part in some great tunes through the years.

[Leykis101]

R.I.P. Phil, I met you when I was 5 years old, you were the first concert I ever went to, I have sent word for my mom to find the pics of me just a little 5 year old boy with Y&T, you guys were what drove my passion for metal to this very day! and this truly sucks! in every way shape and form, RIP bro!

[fireforce]

R.I.P. Phil, as I always say, another star in rock n' roll heaven

[shamus]

I feel so fortunate to have seen Dave and Phil play together at the last Melodic Rockfest. Tremendous player. Phenomenal band. R.I.P.