Eamon Downes Dies at Age 55: Liquid Co-Founder Struggled with Brain Cancer

Following a five-year battle with brain cancer, Eamon Downes of ’90s dance music group Liquid has passed away.

Eamon Downes, a DJ and producer who famously co-founded the ’90s dance music group Liquid, died on Monday, July 21 at age 55 following a battle with brain cancer that started five years ago.

“It is with heartbreaking sadness that I’m letting the world know that we have lost Eamon Downes, devoted husband to Stella, devoted father to daughter Bea, and one of my closest friends I’ve ever had,” wrote DJ Billy Daniel Bunter in a statement on Facebook. “This one really hurts.”

Downes and Bunter worked in a record shop together in 1989, two years before Liquid — which consisted of Downes and Shane Heneghan aka DJ Model — released their breakout single, “Sweet Harmony.” Sampling the 1987 house classic “Someday” by CeCe Rogers, the song’s infectious piano chords and soulful vocals landed it an XL Recordings release, establishing Liquid as a familiar fixture of the early UK rave landscape.

“I still remember the first time he played me ‘Sweet Harmony’ down the phone before it went off to be cut to 12”,” wrote Bunter. “When he landed the record deal with XL, he was buzzing, just built for the record industry. He was talking to Pete Tong at FFRR, Nick Hawkes and Richard Russell at XL, all wanting his record. He was so excited by those meetings.”

The following year, Liquid released The Future Music EP, which included the popular single “Liquid Is Liquid.” Even after Heneghan left the act, Downes continued to achieve success under the moniker, notably for singles like “Time to Get Up” and “One Love Family.” He would go on to work as a solo act for more than 30 years.

Downes spent his final years with his family in Rome. Earlier today, a memorial service was held near where he lived, and fittingly, “Sweet Harmony” was played.

We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences for the family and loved ones of Eamon Downes during what can only be a difficult time.