It's always awful writing stories like these. 25-year-old singer-songwriter Sonny Tennet lost his father. The information came after Sonny was eliminated just outside of the Top 12 on American Idol, U.K. While he was on the show, he impressed all of the judges with his vocal and musical prowess. He even brought music legend Lionel Ritchie to his feet with his rendition of "Easy" by the Commodores. (A song that Lionel Ritchie famously wrote.)
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The Passing Of His Father
On Thursday, May 1st, Sonny released the news on his social media platforms. The post was a picture of his father playing the guitar with the caption, "Said goodbye to my dad today... a great man and one of my biggest musical influences. Absolutely gutted, just hoping he's at peace. See you in the next one. love you Dad."
Both the Idol team and fellow contestants alike flooded the comments with their sympathy and support. With fellow contestant Filo Ebid even writing, Filo Ebid. "My condolences brother, sending the love and prayers to you and your whole family."
His Father Was "One of My Biggest Musical Influences"
Sonny was not lying in his post about his father. He has been playing music with his father since he was fourteen years old. Sonny, whose real name is Stevie Jay Tennet, told the UK publication Cultured North East last November, "My dad was a singer in a band for years when I was growing up."
But that wasn't all he revealed about his father, he added, "I used to watch him play live and he had a really good following. We'd be out in the town and people would come up and shake his hand and stuff. I thought, 'Hang on a minute' — Dad's quite a popular man and it's all down to his music!'"
These moments of realization pushed him to be a musician like his father, who supported him every step of the way. Sonny recalled, "Both of my parents were so supportive and I was part of a very musical family."
Thankfully, Sonny's father was around to watch his son release his debut album, Panorama, which was released in July 2024.
