For many of us, Sunny was the stuff of legend. Equal parts mysterious and mercurial, Sunny spun a web of stories that sometimes defied credulity. As Jim “Del Rivers” Buhlman once noted, “(Sunny) had many stories…In fact, I think he moved out of Rochester because he was an informant against the Mafia or other criminals.” However, former WITR Deejay Mick Alber, posted the following condolence: “I will never forget Sunny’s kindness and his talent for cool music. He truly was a gentle soul and will be missed.”

In reality, Sunny was equally both… sure, he cut an imposing figure and could be intimidating. You couldn’t be a bouncer at Scorgies if you didn’t convey some sort of menace. But Sunny had a very different side to him, and with his musical talent, he became a part of the local Rochester garage scene.

He recorded in a variety of styles but hewed closest to the sounds of his Sun Records heroes, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Always true to his passions, his work can be compared to today’s rockabilly and psychobilly artists.

If you were lucky you could catch Sunny opening for Personal Effects or playing in the Record Archive back room at the old Mt. Hope location. One of these days Russ Lunn will digitize that footage. When that happens I’ll make sure he shares it.

Click here to listed to Sunny performing “Do You Like It?”.

In the meantime, here’s Sunny’s obit.

ANDERSON: SYDNEY WILLIS JR. “SUNNY”

Peacefully at the Hamilton General Hospital on Sunday November 30, 2014 at the age of 57 with his fiancee Joan and his brother Wray and Kaela by his side. Son of Jessie (Maracle) Jamieson and the late Sidney Anderson Sr. Predeceased by his sisters, Amelia and Alva; brother, Victor “Yogi” Bomberry; niece, Nikki Oronya Star Kick; uncle, Wallace “Mad Bear” Anderson, Also survived by nephews, Victor and Wayne; niece, Tiffany Bomberry and their mother Diane; Sandra and her family; the families of the late Grace and Robert Whitlow, Doris and George Henhawk, Frank and Hazel Maracle, Duane (Isabelle) Anderson and Harold (Dolores) John, Sylvia Wegerski, Laura Joseph, Florence Stevens and Violet Brayley, Diane Longboat (and family). and his many friends at the Dialysis Unit at the BGH and the Penmarvian Retirement Home and from everyone at iC SuperCOMPUTERS, especially, Eric, Callum and Scott. Also Paul Williams, Dr. John Deacon, John Baucom, Jon Burrows, Ryan Johnson (& Family). Resting at Styres Funeral Home, 1798 4th Line Road, Ohsweken on Wednesday 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held Styres Funeral Home, Ohsweken on Thursday December 4, 2014 at 1 p.m. and conducted by Father Sunny Sebastian of St. Michael’s Catholic Church (close friend of Sunny and Wray) followed by the burial and Luncheon at Grand River United Cemetery, 1585 Mohawk Rd. at the corner of 4th Line Rd in Ohsweken.