HIGH WYCOMBE, U.K. – Moray McMillin, a concert touring veteran and EAW application support group representative for the EMEA region, died at age 58 after a long battle with cancer.
EAW president Jeff Rocha called McMillin "one of the unforgettable characters that make up this industry" and "a consummate professional. He was a true friend, one of those people you can't help but want to spend time with. So full of life… I'm heartbroken."
McMillin began his pro audio career in the mid-1970s with the Kinks, then joined UK sound rental company Tasco. In 1980, he crossed the Atlantic as part of the English hard rock invasion of Black Sabbath, Saxon and a solo Ozzy Osbourne, also serving as FOH engineer for Motörhead.
McMillin returned to the U.K. as a freelance engineer, working with bands such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and Whitesnake, also performing FOH duties for Deep Purple over a 10-year span. He joined EAW in 2005, becoming EMEA representative for the company's Application Support Group.
Diagnosed with cancer in early 2010, McMillin fought it along with fellow cancer sufferer and longtime friend Ronnie James Dio from Black Sabbath. He was very involved in Dio's funeral arrangements, which included a live concert by Queensrÿche in the cemetery in front of 1,200 fans. He was also honored to be one of the pallbearers when the fans had gone and his friend was laid to rest.
EAW noted that McMillin fought the disease privately and "with a complete absence of self-pity….in typical Moray fashion, he got his responsibilities for the UK's big tradeshow, PLASA out of the way before he passed."
Moray is survived by his wife Antonella and two sons. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to:
The Hospice of Saint Francis
Spring Garden Lane,
Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3GW.
http://www.stfrancis.org.uk
01442 869553
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Wednesday, September 28, 2:30 pm
The Church of St. Nicholas
Church Green
Harpenden, Hertfordshire. AL5 2TP
