Eamon Downes dead: Liquid legend dies after five-year cancer battle

Liquid co-founder and DJ Eamon Downes has died after a five-year battle with brain cancer. The music producer, also known as Ame, formed group Liquid in the 90s with Shane Heneghan.

DJ and producer Billy Daniel Bunter shared the heartbreaking news in a post, writing: "This morning in Rome was a beautiful service for one of my closest friends, Eamon Downes — beloved dad to Bea, devoted husband to Stella.

"Me and Sonya flew straight from Ibiza to Rome to be with the family. You had so many people there from your local community, and you always spoke so fondly of everyone around you in Italy. Sometimes I’d speak to you and think you were Italian yourself."

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He added: "Bea read the most beautiful speech in both Italian and English so me and Sonya could understand. It was incredibly emotional for everyone. So many thoughts were running through my mind — from lobbing whiz in your coffee on a Saturday afternoon in 1990 in the record shop, to all the banter you had with my dad.

"While your close-knit family and community were there in person, across the internet your pictures, your songs, the love, the shares, the comments, the tributes — they’re not in the thousands, not even the hundreds of thousands… it’s in the millions.

"In the past 24 hours, you would’ve loved seeing how many people are celebrating your music and your energy. Even more beautiful were the messages from people you didn’t even know — people you gave time to at gigs, people you sent jokes to, sent memorabilia to, people you helped through tough times or addiction."

The post concluded: "You were loved not just for your music, but for the human you were. A kind, thoughtful, funny soul. You’ll live forever in the hearts, minds and melodies of everyone’s lives. As we all said our final farewell’s “Sweet Harmony” played. We love you, Eamon. Forever."

A number of DJs left heart emojis under the post while one fan wrote: "Sounds really special, he will be missed." Another said: "He was such a beautiful soul."

One fan added: "You lost such a dear friend bro and the world lost one of the greatest from Dance Music." Eamon, who was born in Tower Hamlets in 1968, and Shane found success with their debut self-titled record in the early 90s, with Sweet Harmony becoming an iconic anthem.

The DJ spent his final years living in Italy with his wife Stella and daughter Bea, the duo's only child. His friends and family members flew to Rome for a private service in his memory.

His wife read an emotional speech in Italian and English before mourners said their goodbyes while Sweet Harmony, which reached no. 15 in the charts, ended the service.

The early commercial success of Liquid helped boost XL, which released Sweet Harmony as a single, into a massive label. Other XL releases include The Prodigy's Music For A Jilted Generation and its follow-up The Fat of the Land.

After their initial success, Liquid released their The Future Music EP before the duo stopped producing together. Eamon went on to released music under the Liquid moniker until 2023.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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