TORONTO — Globe and Mail Update and The Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 12:38AM EST Last updated on Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2009 9:17PM EDT
Kenny MacLean, a Canadian musician who shot to fame with the 1980s New Wave band Platinum Blonde, was found dead in his Toronto apartment and recording studio on Monday.
MacLean, 52, was discovered around 1 p.m. Monday, at his apartment at Yonge and Isabella Streets. Police aren't treating the death as suspicious and found no evidence of drug use. MacLean attended a CD release party at the Mod Club on Friday night to celebrate the upcoming release of his long awaited third solo album Completely.
MacLean's apartment was in a building that also housed his company — hMh Music — that sought to help develop budding artists.
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.
Join the Discussion: