Music community mourns death of longtime The Steadies guitarist
Lee remembered as ‘happy go lucky’ guy who played with creativity and energy
Saskatoon’s music community expressed shock and sadness at the sudden passing of guitarist Justin Lee from the band The Steadies.
“We were meant to meet and play music together,” bandmate Earl Pereira said in an interview. Lee reignited his love of music, Pereira said.
Nicknamed “Juice,” he was originally from Trinidad and went to music engineering school in Montreal before coming to Saskatoon in 2008. A year later, he was in The Steadies.
“He made friends so fast. The outpouring all over the world and Saskatoon for him, it’s been overwhelmingly amazing. His mother and brother are here staying with me. It’s keeping them from getting too sad. There’s so much love.”
Writing on Facebook after Lee was hospitalized on Sunday, musician Josh Palmer said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to our Saskatoon musical brother, Justin Lee, who is in critical condition after suffering an aneurysm. Please pray with all of us who have been touched by this man’s grace, his happy go lucky spirit and his amazing guitar playing.”
Lee died on Tuesday. That night, family and friends gathered at the Capitol Music Club, where he was a regular at the Tuesday night jam.
“It was really, really needed. The family needed it and everyone did because it was a brutally hard day letting him go. It went from that to the opposite, to the most amazing night. It was perfect, the support and the love,” Pereira said.
Noting the hundreds of comments on social media, Pereira said Lee had a special way of touching people with his energy.
“I keep trying to keep thinking about all the time I did get to spend with him instead of the times I’m not going to get to. We had so many good times, great shows.”
One of their biggest adventures was their recent Asian tour.
“He was the happiest I’d ever seen him while we were there. He had his 40th birthday in Seoul, Korea — can you imagine that?”
Many of the comments on social media noted Lee’s talent and positive spirit.
Local musician Oral Fuentes said, “Saskatoon has lost a talented artist and a kind soul. All of us as artists and brothers and sisters are hurting at this time.”
Guitarist Tim Vaughn said Lee “will be remembered as a kind, creative human who could ‘skank’ with the best of them. He definitely taught me a thing or two about reggae guitar rhythms. Rest well, my friend.”
Mandy Pravda called Lee the most beautiful man she knew.
“He was loved worldwide and it shows. A creative soul with never a dull moment. He lived and made the most vibrant, positive life and world around him. If we all can take a piece of Juice to learn from it would be to do what you love, be happy and don’t worry ... and express yourself through what you love and live the life you want.”
A funeral service is being planned for Saturday, followed by a memorial at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
He made friends so fast. The outpouring all over the world and Saskatoon for him, it’s been overwhelmingly amazing.