Late yesterday we were informed that Don Simmons, the original founding keyboard player from Helix, had passed away. He was 64.
Simmons played in the original Helix band, with singer Brian Vollmer, drummer Bruce Arnold, guitarist Ron Watson, and bassist Keith “Burt” Zurbrigg. Simmons gigged with Helix from 1974-1976, and was still in the group for a short time when Brent “The Doctor” Doerner joined, beginning the transformation into the modern band.
In 2004, Helix staged a massive reunion that included many of their former surviving members. The original band, including Simmons on keyboards, got up on stage for the first time in 30 years and played “Buff’s Bar Blues”, a mainstay of their early sets. The show was released as the 30th Anniversary Concert.
Don never stopped loving music and continued to play keyboard and guitar. Rest in peace, Don Simmons.
mikeladano.com 
This sucks! Rest in peace Don.
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Now 3 dead members of Helix. Paul Hackman, Ron Watson and Don Simmons. Very sad.
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Thank you Mike,
Such a wonderful tribute to my brother
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Wow. That’s him, Mike Rowe from Metal Church, and Joey Jordison from Slipknot in a two day period.
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Wait, Jordison passed?
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Yeah, yesterday.
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I don’t know what Joey normally looked like, but the one picture that was going around yesterday was pretty bad. He looked way older than I am but he’s younger. He looked really unwell.
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Crap, that sucks. Was a cause of death given?
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No. And now Dusty Hill….
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Wait whaaaaaaa
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Literally just announced :(
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Oh man that sucks.
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No cause of death that I saw. Now we’ve lost Dusty Hill from ZZ Top too. God damn it.
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BRUTAL WEEK :(
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Yeah, who’s next?
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Now that’s a scary question :(
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The way we’re going, it’ll be both remaining Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Sam Moore, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and Bruce Springsteen.
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I’ve always said that because life is cruel, Ringo will be the last Beatle.
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What’d poor Ringo ever do to you?
I’m a musician too. I’d better watch my ass this week. I hope my death would affect you as much as Ringo’s.
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LOL nothing against Ringo just that, well, if you were to rank musical ability…the other three guys…well I won’t say anything else ;)
I hope you will not die any time soon!
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Who’ll be around to keep Harrison in line if I croark?
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Jesus Christ…just not…minutes ago…an old work buddy posted that his wife passed.
He was maybe 10 years younger than me, she about the same age. Multiple Sclerosis. I’m heartbroken for him. He was such a nice guy. Huge AC/DC fan, Sloan fan, Trailer Park Boys fan. FUCK.
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MS fucking sucks. Stupid fucking disease.
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I’m beyond upset/livid/sad/angry/pissed right now. I’ve had it with this whole fucking year.
Let me tell you, sometimes the nicest kindest people are taken down and that’s what happened today.
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Hugs from America, you big Canadian Teddy Bear. When all else seems lost, remember you have my love! We’ll get through this shit hole year.
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A truly sad day indeed.
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Absolutely brutal week.
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So sad to hear. Can’t believe all the deaths this past week.
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Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the set of Better Call Saul. Come on world, not Bob!
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I know, crazy!!
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RIP indeed. I saw in your other comments that’s now three members gone? Damn. Condolences to the family and everyone connected. Was a cause of death mentioned?
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He passed peacefully in his sleep. That’s all I know :(
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Still, that was waaaay too young.
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I guess his mother and father both passed at age 64 too :( Really sad. His sister is a good friend of the family.
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That’s incredible, really. And sad. Condolences all around!
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I know Simmons didn’t play on the first two Helix albums, but those two albums are a great amalgamation of so many different styles.
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Heart arrhythmia was the cause of Don’s death, he did not suffer, he went very peacefully in his sleep.
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I work at a record store, and I saw Don a couple of times a week, he was a great guy with incredible music knowledge and taste and we all miss him as a customer and friend.
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