Aussie icon Desmond Dezzy McKenna, better known as drummer “Animal” from Hey Hey it’s Saturday, has sadly passed away.
The musician’s brother Brian shared the sad news on social media, confirming that McKenna died in Thailand, where he had been living since the mid 1990’s.
“He was a saviour and huge inspiration to me, remembering all the wonderful times,” Brian wrote, according to The Music.
McKenna was a prolific session drummer, occasional actor and regular player in the Hey Hey band, alongside the likes of Red Symons, Wilbur Wilde, Daryl McKenzie and Peter McCutcheon.
Band leader and jazz legend, Wilde, has also paid tribute to the late beatman and comedian on social media.
Read his post below.
McKenna’s death also comes less than a week after the Hey Hey 50th anniversary special aired on TV.
