Kenny Shields, lead singer of Canadian rock band Streetheart, passed away on Friday morning at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg MB.
Shields was 69-years-old.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
In early July, Jeff Neill, the band's guitarist, took to the Streetheart Facebook Page to announce the band would have to cancel their upcoming 40th-anniversary tour dates.
He also updated fans on Shields’ health condition.
“Kenny, as some of you may know and many have speculated on, has a very sick heart. In lay terms, he has approximately 20% efficiency on the left side of his heart which has caused his right side to become damaged in an attempt to compensate. This has created a dangerous buildup of fluid in his lungs along with other serious internal issues,” said Neill.
Neill kept fans updated on the condition of Shields throughout the month and sadly had the task of announcing the loss of his friend and bandmate this morning.
Shields, Neill and the rest of band were in Kelowna close to a year ago for the inaugural Rock the Lake.
Spry, pitch-perfect and humble, Shields left a crowd of thousands singing every word to the band's biggest hits like “Here Comes The Night”, “Cinderella” and “Under Thumb.”
Shields is survived by his wife, daughter and sister.
He'll be remembered for his unique vocal stylings that helped to shape Canada’s rock scene and his infectious stage presence.
