Those who knew Dan Fawcett say he had two passions – being with friends and playing his guitars.
Police revealed Monday that Fawcett was the victim of a homicide early Sunday morning.
The news of his death devastated the music community in London.
A 2002 episode of The Mike Bullard Show captured Fawcett in his element, sharing a stage with friends and playing guitar. Fawcett and fellow London musician Sean Sanders supported Helix’s Brian Vollmer on the show.
Sanders says playing with the Canadian rock legend is one of the many times he’s played with Fawcett over the course of their 30-year friendship.
“If you walked into a room and there was a guitar there, he just had to pick it up and start playing,” Sanders says. “He just always had one in his lap.”
Online tributes poured in after Fawcett’s body was found in Gibbons Park shortly before 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, in what police later said was the city’s fifth homicide of the year.
Sanders says Fawcett was very humble, even though many raved about his playing, saying, “He was very, very humble. He never knew how good he was. He was just such a humble, sweet, kind man.”
Fawcett also performed with Elvis tribute artist Tim Hendry in Tim-E and the Yes Men. Hendry moved to London from Sault Ste. Marie more than 30 years ago and says he met Fawcett shortly after his arrival and they became fast friends.
“Over those 34 years, we’ve formed one of the closest bonds and relationships I’ve ever had with any of my friends,” he says.
Hendry says that he and Fawcett played in a number of bands of different genres, and that Fawcett was not only a brilliant player, but extremely versatile.
“He could play metal stuff. He could play like Yngvie Malmsteen or Eddie Van Halen. He could play that stuff easily, and then he’d do the chicken stuff like Jerry Reed or James Burton from Elvis’ band,” he explains. “That’s why he was my lead guitarist on the Elvis show.”
Hendry is currently in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee working on an Elvis tribute show. Hendry says he recently discussed with Fawcett about having him come and get a job.
“I said, ‘Just update your passport,'” Hendry explains. “Let’s take you here just to check. I know I can get you some work,” and he was excited about it.
Hendry says the focus now must be on supporting Fawcett’s loved ones and bringing those responsible for his death to justice.
Sanders says no plans have been made yet, but he expects to have a concert in Fawcett’s honor and thinks it could also be used to raise money to support Fawcett’s young daughter, Layla.
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