R.I.P. Summer Stevens (1989-2019)

The Sault Metal Scene sends it's deepest condolences to the family and friends of original Danger Cats frontwoman Summer Stevens, who passed away at Sault Area Hospital on Wednesday at the age of 30, as per this obituary on SooToday. Summer is survived by her mother, four brothers, two sisters, and her other extended family. A passionate fan of music and singing, Summer will be best known to SMS readers for her stint in the inaugural lineup of the all-female hard rock/punk band The Danger Cats, where she took on the stage name Summer Snow-Leopard. She would sing lead for most of their late 2013 gigs, notably including K-Man & The 45s' headlining date at the former Roosevelt Hotel that October, before amicably leaving the group in February 2014 for health reasons. Outside of the band, Summer parlayed her singing abilties into high profile performances at her Grade 12 graduation, a Soo Greyhounds game, and at numerous local karaoke nights in the 2010s.

A come & go service at her family's Rankin home was held yesterday, while services (entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home) will take place tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM with Elder Willard Pine officiating, and the family has asked for memorial contributions to Diabetes Canada in lieu of flowers. I didn't know Summer personally, but I know she was a kind and friendly person with real musical gifts, and losing a loved one on Christmas Day is unfathomably sad. There aren't a lot of videos online from her brief run with The Danger Cats, but here she is in (I believe) her last show with them, covering a Ramones classic at LopLops that December. R.I.P. Summer!