Gord Lewis, the founder and lead guitarist of Canadian punk band ‘Teenage Head’, was found murdered in his Hamilton apartment at 175 Catharine St S in Hamilton, Canada on Sunday, August 7, 2022. According to the police, the musician’s death is being investigated as a homicide.
The very first concert I went to was Teenage Head, in a church of all places. Barely into my teens, it set the stage for a lifetime of rock n' roll. Our most sincere condolences to all who knew and loved Gord Lewis. – SC pic.twitter.com/ObJZbZhfHS
— Live Music Canada (@LiveMusicCda) August 8, 2022
According to Toronto Star, Detective sergeant Sara Beck of the homicide unit at a news conference outside police headquarters on the afternoon of August 8 said that they found the body of a man in his 60s with “injuries consistent with foul play.” The detective added that “a positive identification has not been made of the deceased due to the level of decomposition…an autopsy will be performed and additional steps taken to identify the deceased.”
As per the report, the dead body was discovered by police during a wellness check after they received a 911 call from a staff member. Later, police charged Jonathan Lewis, Lewis’ 41-year-old son, with second-degree murder in the case. Beck said police were not seeking additional suspects. Details and motive behind the murder have not been revealed yet.
Thanks for the 🎸fun Gord Lewis. We will miss your gentle smile 🤘. #TeenageHead
Photo from free concert on top of Jackson Square rooftop in #Hamilton in May of 1979. pic.twitter.com/e0PTaRqO5Z— Bonnie (@BonnieEsson) August 8, 2022
Friends and fans pay tribute
The official pages of Teenage Head, both on Facebook and Instagram, paid tribute to Lewis, “We are heartbroken and still trying to process the loss of our friend, bandmate and brother Gord Lewis Our hearts are with his family and all that knew and loved him. Gord was a force and an inspiration to many. You were taken from us far too soon.”
Following the posts, fans started pouring their hearts out for Lewis. One wrote, “Heartbroken. Not enough words to thank you for the albums, gigs and great memories. Condolences to Gord’s family and friends and to the T.H. Family.”
Gord Lewis guitar player of Teenage Head has been found murdered.
How to even make sense of this? He was a Canadian punk rock pioneer.
Go to the angels Gord. https://t.co/veekDVvzlf— Charlie Angus (@CharlieAngusNDP) August 8, 2022
Another fan shared a black and white picture of Gord and said, “Rest in Peace, dear Gordie. And thanks for the music and giving me the opportunity to get the all time best rock photograph I have ever shot. Photo taken on December 6, 1981 at The Late Show.”
One individual commented, “Just read this and I am sick to my stomach. He meant so much to so many. Need to process this. Thinking of all of you.”
Gord Lewis Songbook
Who is Teenage Head?
Teenage Head, which was formed in 1975, started with band members while they were studying at Hamilton’s Westdale High School. The band was known for Canadian classics ‘Let’s Shake’ and ‘Some Kinda Fun’. The band was also featured in a 2020 documentary about them titled ‘Picture My Face: The Story of Teenage Head’.
The band consisted of lead vocalists Frankie Venom aka Frank Kerr, who died on October 15, 2008, and Peter Macaulay, bass guitarist Steve Mahon, drummer Nick Stipanitz, guitarist Dave Desroches and Gord Lewis. They were still together and active, with a show scheduled for September 10, 2022, at Kerrfest in, Oakville, as per Songkick.
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