Police revealed Monday that Fawcett was the victim of a homicide early Sunday morning. The news of his death has left people in London’s music community devastated. A 2002 episode of The Mike Bullard Show captured Fawcett in his element, sharing a stage with friends and playing guitar. Fawcett and fellow Londoner Sean Saunders were supporting Helix’s Brian Vollmer on the show. Sanders says playing with the Canadian rock legend was one of the many times he played with Fawcett during their 30-year friendship. “If you walked into a room and there was a guitar, he just had to pick it up and start playing,” Sanders says. “He just always had one on his lap.” Online tributes poured in after it was learned Fawcett’s body was found in Gibbons Park shortly before 7:00 a.m. Sunday, in what police later said was the city’s fifth homicide of the year. Sanders says Fawcett was very modest, even though many were in awe of his playing, saying, “He was very, very humble. He never knew how good he was. He was just such a humble, kind, sweet guy.” 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, she says she met Fawcett shortly after he arrived and they became fast friends. “We’ve formed, in those 34 years, 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 with different genres, and that Fawcett was not only a brilliant player, he was extremely versatile. “He could play metal. He could shred like Yngvie Malmsteen or Eddie Van Halen. He could play that stuff easily, and then he did the chick flicks like Jerry Reed or James Burton from the Elvis band.” he explains, “That’s why he was my lead guitarist on the Elvis show.” Hendry is currently in Pigeon Forge, TN working on an Elvis tribute show. Hendry says he recently had discussions with Fawcett about getting him a job. “I said, ‘Just update your passport,’” Hendry explains. “Let’s get you down here to check it out. I know I can get you some work” and he was excited about it. Hendry says the focus now needs to 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 a concert to be held in Fawcett’s honor and believes it could also be used to raise money to support Fawcett’s young daughter, Layla.
