Platinum Blonde Bassist Found Dead

PLATINUM BLONDE BASSIST FOUND DEAD:

November 25, 2008

Former Platinum Blonde bassist Kenny MacLean died following a CD release party in Toronto Friday, Nov. 21.

He was found yesterday by his sister and it is thought he passed away sometime during the night after the event.

Police said the veteran musician, who was in his early 50s, was discovered collapsed and unresponsive at his downtown apartment.

MacLean’s apartment was in a building that also housed his company — hMh Music — that sought to help develop budding artists.

The company’s website says hMh offers instruction from the ground up, through the practical and theory of music as well as image consulting.

“Kenny had his party at the Mod Club on Friday and he was really excited,” local musician Angel Marr said in a brief phone interview.

“We don’t know if he died right after the party or later,” he continued. “I’m in shock. I’ve known Kenny for 15 years.”

MacLean was celebrating the upcoming release of his long awaited third solo album “Completely.”

Facebook tributes have already begun to pour in. Former Much VJ Steve Anthony wrote that he is in “shock about my pal Kenny MacLean.”

The Scottish musician joined Platinum Blonde for their second album, 1985’s “Alien Shores,” freeing singer/bassist Mark Holmes to focus on lead vocals.

“Alien Shores” contained one of the band’s biggest Canadian hits — “Crying Over You” — and their only U.S. hit, “Somebody Somewhere.”

He was also a songwriter having won a SOCAN Award for “Don’t Look Back”.

He also strayed from his rock roots to play with the Edmonton Symphony and Orchestra London.

Platinum Blonde was one the biggest Canadian bands of the 1980s.

Their 1987 album “Contact” went platinum while “Alien Shores” went quadruple platinum.

The group also won a Gemini Award in 1986 for best music video for “Crying Over You.”

Courtesy of jam.canoe.ca