WET Wet Wet drummer Tommy Cunningham says he is “hanging up my sticks” after 40 years with the band.
The Scots musician – who was part of the act’s original quartet with Marti Pellow, Graeme Clark and Neil Mitchell – revealed he has been suffering from increasingly severe tinnitus since 2008.
He posted on Facebook: “I knew back then that I was doing some irreparable damage to my hearing but I had believed that I had it under control.
“During the last two years of lockdown it has become increasingly clear to me that over time my tinnitus has increased in intensity to the point where I now have constant loud ringing in my ears, which affects almost every wakened moment.
“Due to this I have come to the very difficult decision where if I want to retain any hearing at all in the future then I must hang up my drumsticks and stop performing live shows.
“I will miss performing live but I just cannot continue playing drums on stage."
He added: “I must add a huge heartfelt thank you to all the people who have supported myself and Wet Wet Wet over the years. I have always felt incredibly lucky and privileged to have performed for you.”
Cunningham’s departure coincides with that of keyboardist Mitchell, who is also leaving the world-famous Scottish band.
He announced: “I feel it’s a good time for me to exit stage left. Big thanks to those past and present for all you have done for the band.”
Wet Wet Wet formed in 1982 when the original quartet were at Clydebank High School.
Frontman Pellow left the band in 2017 and was replaced by Liberty X’s Kevin Simm.
Band members Simm, Clark, and Graeme Duffin said: “We completely respect both Tommy and Neil’s decision to take time out and totally agree that when it comes to the health, safety and welfare of people then you can’t take any chances.
“We welcome Simon Lea to the drums and Matt Carter to the keys for our forthcoming shows.”
