The Central New York music community is mourning the death of a local artist, sound engineer, lighting tech and performer who was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame last year.

Steve Schad died Saturday, his bandmate Jimmy Puma announced on Facebook. Schad, a keyboardist also known as “Dr. Johnny Fever,” performed with Puma in The United Booty Foundation.

“His love for music IS an inspiration for so many,” Puma wrote in a tribute. “I bought my first Bass Guitar from Steve at Onondaga Music 40 years ago. 30 years of my music career was spent sharing the stage with his creative genius... Love ya Brother! Thank you for everything! See you at the Great Gig in the Sky. Rest in Peace.”

Schad, a 1972 Jamesville-DeWitt High School graduate, was a staple of the Syracuse music scene for nearl

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