Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore sadly passed awayВ on FridayВ morning (January 7) after battling cancer. He was 57.
Here’s what the man himself said of his condition in summer 2010:

“Up to now you haven’t heard much information (other than about my extreme back pain) … 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. With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin’ and rollin’.

“Do me a favour and go out and see the band now – Y&T is kicking serious ass [with Brad Lang on bass] – and I’ll be back rocking with you all soon.”

Tragically, the cancer treatment failed and Kennemore’s wish to take to the stage once more with the veteran Bay Area rockers was unfulfilled.

Dave Menikett, Kennemore’s bandmate in Y&T, posted the following message early this morning:

“It is with profound sadness and disbelief that I tell you that my best buddy for 37 years passed away this morning, January 7, 2011 at 1am 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.