Billy Bryans, drummer and co-founder (with Lorraine Segato) of the Parachute Club, died this morning in Toronto after a battle with lung cancer. He was 63.
The news was confirmed by journalist Nicholas Jennings, friend to Bryans. "He passed at 7:42 this morning, peacefully," said Jennings.
Read the complete CBC News obituary here.
In an interview with Garvia Bailey, host of CBC’s Big City, Small World, conducted not long before he died, Bryans described how his eyes were opened to the wide world of music beyond rock and blues.
Segato also spoke with Bailey before Bryans passed away, about going through the last phase of Bryans's life together, and about his impact on her own life.
Below, the Parachute Club with "Rise Up."
Related links:
Shuffling off this mortal coil — what does it mean to you when musicians pass away?
Listen to Garvia Bailey's full interview with Billy Bryans and Lorraine Segato
Toronto Star: Parachute Club co-founder Billy Bryans dies at age 63
Toronto musicians rally to support Parachute Club's Billy Bryans
Errol Nazareth's tribute to Billy Bryans: Musicians galvanized