In Memoriam: Jon Kennedy

Bassist Jon Kennedy, who was an early member of Cradle of Filth, has died after a car accident. He was 46 years old.

Kennedy was the third bassist for the English extreme metal band, joining in 1994 and staying for around a year before leaving to become the vocalist for Hecate Enthroned.

Lead singer Dani Filth shared the news and remembered Kennedy in a social media post.

“He was a great bassist and singer who filled in for Cradle at a time of such magical import, mayhem and mischief,” Filth wrote. “I distinctly remember having a wickedly wonderful week staying just outside Wrexham in Wales at Jon’s Mum’s house in 1995. We picked our own magic mushrooms from a local football pitch and then watched Emperor synch up with the newly-released Disney Aladdin on VHS, heading out to undertake Black Metal shenanigans thereafter. We were always pulling pranks and playfully winding each other up back in those days. He will be missed! Godspeed old friend.”

During Kennedy’s time in Cradle of Filth, he recorded on the original version of Dusk and Her Embrace, although label disputes led it to being re-recorded with a different lineup. His contributions to the record were released in 2016 as Dusk and Her Embrace (The Original Sin).

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Jon Kennedy.