Y & T’s Phil Kennemore Diagnosed With Cancer
I received an email from Y & T yesterday with an update from Y&T’s Phil Kennemore. Please read below:
A Message From Phil…
To all of my dear friends and fans around the world and on the forum,
Up to now you haven’t heard much information (other than about my extreme back pain) because there really hasn’t been much until now. I hated leaving you all in the dark but I didn’t want to say anything until there was something conclusive to say. We do have a lot more information now. The number one thing you need to know is that I have cancer. It wasn’t absolutely formally diagnosed until yesterday.
With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin’ and rollin’. I’ll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I’ll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I’ll be walking out of this place and I’ll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock ‘n’ roll life, in due time.
I wanted to thank everyone for your well wishes. I’ve been sitting here in the hospital reading all of the things that you’ve all posted online, and I want you to know it means so very much to me to see how much I am loved, supported, and missed. I can really feel the love as I’m reading. I love reading your posts on the web site forum, and, in fact, I need to hear it. From here on out, whatever thoughts and feelings you have, please know that I wish that I could personally respond to each and every one of you, but I’m not able to right now.
Brad–thank God for Brad! I’m so grateful that he stepped in to help keep Y&T on tour, bringing Facemelter to the people while I was ordered to the hospital. Right now I think he’s the best guy on earth!
I’ll be released from the hospital within three-to-four weeks, continuing treatment, and at some point, I’ll be returning to the road. Keep the love and good vibes flowing. Do me a favor and go out and see the band now–Y&T is kicking serious ass–and I’ll be back rocking with you all soon.
Phil
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I was very sorry to here about Phil. He was always a great person and musician. My thoughts to all his family an band mates.
Peace !!
Phil passed away today: Friday January 7, 2011 at approx 1 am… My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends…
Guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti of long-running California rockers Y&T has released the following statement:
“It is with profound sadness and disbelief that I tell you that my best buddy for 37 years, [Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore], passed away this morning, January 7, 2011 at 1 a.m. 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 3 a.m., 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 its 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.”