Former Tucsonan and veteran musician Chris Gaffney died Thursday in Orange County, Calif., after a brief fight with liver cancer. He was 57.
The singer-songwriter, who grew up in Arizona, performed both solo and in such bands as Chris Gaffney and the Cold Hard Facts and later with the Hacienda Brothers.
Gaffney, who had "Tucson" tattooed on an arm, played accordion and guitar and also sang, while developing a style of music that pulled from such disparate genres as country, rock, honky-tonk, Tex-Mex, norteño and soul.
Gaffney was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, not long after the Hacienda Brothers finished recording their fourth album in January at The Cavern Studios in Tucson. The CD, "Arizona Motel," will be released June 24.
"Plans are in the works for the band to tour in support of the CD in tribute to Chris Gaffney," said a note posted Friday on the band's Web site.
Formed around 2003, The Hacienda Brothers toured the country and found popularity overseas, bandmate Dave Gonzalez told the Star late last year.
"They get very excited because we have the unique, well-seasoned sound in Chris Gaffney," Gonzalez said. "There's not many people who can sing like him. … It's like James Brown meets Waylon Jennings."
"He put it all on stage," said manager Jeb Schoonover of Tucson. "He was also one of the funniest guys."
To help offset Gaffney's medical expenses, his friends set up a fundraising Web site, www. helpgaff.com. The online effort, which has already raised tens of thousands of dollars, is ongoing.
"He had a chance to see all the outpouring of love," Schoonover said. "I think that was really consoling to him in the end."
The online tribute said, "Gaff was universally loved for his quick smile, even temperament, keen observations and dry wit. He will be missed as much for those qualities as for his incomparable talent as a singer, songwriter and musician."
Survivors include his wife, Julie Gaffney. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
To donate online
To help offset Gaffney's medical expenses, his friends set up a fundraising Web site, www.helpgaff.com.
The online effort, which has already raised tens of thousands of dollars, is ongoing.
