SARNIA-LAMBTON, Ontario (CelebrityAccess) — Brian Doherty, guitarist and founding member of the rock band Big Wreck, died on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 51.
On Thursday, the band released a statement that said: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our brother, Brian Doherty, passed away peacefully yesterday after a prolonged and brave struggle with cancer. Brian started Big Wreck with Ian in their dorm in Boston and his passing is a profound loss to us all. Our deepest condolences go out to Brian’s family. He was a good soul who will be missed by all who knew him personally or through the beautiful music he performed.”
Doherty, along with lead vocalist Ian Thornley, bassist Dave Henning, and drummer Forrest Williams, formed Big Wreck in 1994 while attending Berklee College of Music.
The group was later signed to Atlantic and their debut album “In Loving Memory Of…” yielding the hit single “The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)” which hit the top ten on the Billboard Rock chart.
The band’s subsequent albums failed to gain traction, however, and they parted ways in 2002, with Doherty returning to Canada to teach music and found the indie band Death of 8.
In 2010, Big Wreck reunited with original members Ian Thornley and Brian Doherty, along with new additions Dave McMillan and Chuck Keeping.
In April, Doherty revealed that he was battling cancer and launched GoFundMe page to help defray the costs of his treatment.
