July 21, 2017
Canadian rock legend and Streetheart frontman Kenny Shields has died.
The musician “passed away quietly and peacefully” on Friday at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, according to bandmate Jeff Neill.
“Our thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at the St. B for all the dignity and comfort that they provided for Kenny and his family throughout this difficult time,” Neill wrote on Facebook.
Shields had his wife, Elena, his daughter, Julia, and sister, Sharlene, by his side at the time of his passing.
Streetheart planned to play a farewell concert at the Winnipeg Classic RockFest next month as a tribute to Shields. Organizers say that event is still moving forward on August 29 as scheduled.
It is with deep sadness and regret that I announce that our dear friend and bandmate Kenny Shields has passed away quietly and peacefully early this morning at the St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg MB.
By his side were his wife Elena, his daughter Julia and his sister Sharlene.
Our thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at the St. B for all the dignity and comfort that they provided for Kenny and his family throughout this difficult time.
We are most grateful to each and every one of you for all the love, support and hope you have extended towards Kenny and his family over these last few weeks. I know personally how much that meant to Kenny and, I know that your kindness contributed to his inner peace in the end.
I will keep you all updated as we move forward.
Live your life. Love your life and, enjoy every moment of your life with the ones you love.
RIP my brother.
You will be missed.
You will never be forgotten.
xox
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Very sad,enjoyed there music RIP Kenny.
RIP Kenny.
Just got finished spinning some Streetheart on vinyl in your tribute.
Streetheart’s version of Under My Thumb is the best version. It holds a special place or me as back in the day for one of my the puppy dog, high school loves I bought a 45rpm as part of a Christmas gift package for her and the 45 had Streethearts’s Under My thumb on Side A.
One of the nicest guys, ever, is going to be missed by a lot of people. Funny, modest, and talented….I enjoyed hanging with him a few times, and we had a ball.
RIP, Kenny.
My sincere condolences to his Wife and Family and his legion of friends and fans.
This is one that hurts.
I interviewed Streetheart during their promo tour for Meanwhile Back In Paris. To this day, I contend that side 1 of that album is the finest set of seamlessly connected rock tunes ever released by a Canadian band. Kenny Shields’ vocals absolutely killed.
With guitarist Paul Dean’s subsequent exit, the band relied on A-grade covers. Bassist Spider Sinnaeve and drummer Matt Frennette eventually wound up joining Paul in Loverboy. Keyboardist Daryl Gautheil stuck with Kenny. Condolences to all four plus other Streetheart alumni. The original quintet reunited in 1993 and a subsequent recording is available through Streetheart’s website.
I’m sad we’ve lost a Canadian original, but am heartened to learn he survived the harsh rocker lifestyle to raise a family. Deepest of sympathies to them.