Ken McCray was best known as drummer of St. Louis rock act Tilts and cover band Superjam.



McCray made a name for himself playing drums in a number of local bands over a 25-year career, primarily of the rock variety — some notable acts in addition to Tilts and Superjam include Pay the Cobra, Shame Club, Contagious and Riddle of Steel. In 2014 Riverfront Times named him the best drummer in St. Louis thanks to his hard-hitting, precise approach.



McCray was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer on January 12, 2012 after experiencing a sharp pain in his stomach whenever he ate or drank. Doctors treated the disease, which had already spread to his liver, with surgery and chemotherapy.



After a brief period of remission the cancer reached his lungs. Meanwhile he still didn't stop performing, even going so far as to record for Tilts' Cuatro Hombres LP in 2013 during the same week as a particularly grueling round of chemo.



Ken McCray passed away Sunday morning, January 10, 2016, after a four-year battle with cancer. The 43-year-old father of two is survived by his wife Linda, his son Mitchell and his daughter Maddie.