Sad news in the punk and hardcore world today, as Sid “SidMac” McCray, original vocalist for seminal hardcore act Bad Brains, died this weekend.
McCray was the vocalist of Bad Brains from when they formed in 1976 through 1978, when they were still a jazz fusion act named Mind Power. It was Sid who introduced the band to punk rock through acts like Sex Pistols and the Ramones. Eventually, he stepped aside as frontman to let H.R. take over.
“I sung with the band for a little while, but I fizzled out because I saw H.R. was a much better singer,” McCray recalled in Finding Joseph I, a documentary about H.R. “It wasn’t a competition thing; I just thought he was a better singer, more theatrical…At that time, they saw Bob Marley [in concert] and I wasn’t ready to see Bob Marley. I still had some running and tearin’ things up to do, so we split ways.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to pay for SidMac’s funeral expenses
“Sidney McCray aka “SidMac” the original lead singer & cofounder of the Punk Rock Band Bad Brains. Passed on September 9, 2020,” says the caption for the campaign. “He is remembered and loved by seven children, family, friends, his former band members and a host of loyal fans. Sidney’s children would like to have a Memorial Service for their father and are gratefully in acceptance of donations. Contributions will solely go towards the Last Honors for SidMac. We Thank You in advance for your Condolences, Love and Prayers.”
The campaign’s goal of $5,000 has already been met as of this posting, but that doesn’t mean donations are in any way discouraged.
Bad Brains confirmed Sid’s passing by posting a link to the crowdfunding campaign for his funeral on their Facebook page:
R.I.P to the Don, my brother – sail on
Posted by Bad Brains on Saturday, September 12, 2020
Everyone at The Pit sends their heart out to Sid’s family, friends, fans, and collaborators during this difficult time.
