Famous rock drummer Rocket Norton has died at the age of 73.
After a long battle against cancer, Rocket sadly passed away on April 5. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2021, and his life changed drastically overnight. While receiving treatments, he continued to live life to the fullest.
Back in 2023, Rocket hosted his second annual F**K Cancer: A Benefit to Aid the War on Cancer concerts. The event drew countless fans and supporters to benefit a great cause.
Many individuals shared their support on X after his contributions to the fight against cancer.
“Rocket is a force of nature. Going to take more than terminal cancer to slow him down. He’s a true inspiration!” one person wrote in 2023.
“I love this!!” another person said of the F**K Cancer event. “We would have gone but Steve was playing at the Ivanhoe pub last night. Looks like a fabulous event. I hope lots of money was raised to help the kids.”
Rocket Norton Left Behind a Legendary Legacy
Norton began his career with Seeds of Time, a post-punk melodic rock band. He later started his own band called the Rocket Norton Band, as well as joined a group called Prism, a Canadian rock band.
Formed in 1977, Prism went on to win the Juno award for group of the year in 1981. They also enjoyed immense success with several of their albums, including See Forever Eyes (1978), Armageddon (1979), and Young and Restless (1980).
Prism wound up selling over two million albums. In 2023, the band was then inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Rocket was also a gifted writer who authored the self-help book A Guide for Men Who are Getting Married or Wish to Stay Married, among many fiction novels, a memoir, and more.
In 2022, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Rocket spoke with Postmedia. When asked about his various creative outlets, Rocket told the outlet, “My belief is to live every day like it is your last. Now I’m doing it. We’ll see how long it goes.”
The B.C. Cancer Foundation is accepting donations in Rocket’s name at donate.bccancerfoundation.com.