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Oil worker diagnosed with cancer and given weeks to live, dies before dream concert

Kevin Doonan with folk musician Michael Marra
Kevin Doonan with folk musician Michael Marra

An oil worker who returned from a trip offshore feeling unwell was diagnosed with a rare cancer and given just weeks to live.

And despite a brave battle with the illness, rock fan Kevin Doonan died before he could see his musical heroes perform live one last time.

The 47-year-old had set himself the target of being in the audience at an AC/DC gig in Glasgow after being told by doctors that he was terminally ill.

Last night, family and friends paid tribute to Mr Doonan, describing him as a “one-off” with a “sublime” sense of humour.

The father-of-two was diagnosed with a rare form of bile duct cancer a day before his birthday in May.

He created a two-item bucket list of things he wanted to achieve in the little time he had left.

Kevin brother George Doonan, and his mum
Kevin brother George Doonan, and his mum

Mr Doonan’s younger brother, George, revealed: “He said to me the one thing he always wanted to do was go to the US or Canada, and the other thing was the AC/DC gig at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

“He wanted to do it in style, and that would be his last gig.

“The doctors ruled out America, but the main focus for him was making that concert – that’s what kept him going to the end.

“Unfortunately, his condition was deteriorating over the next six weeks after his diagnosis and, by that time, everything was a fairly great effort.

“His last words were to his best pal, Manny Gorman. He said ‘It looks like Hampden’s looking doubtful, Manny’. He literally said that and then lost consciousness.”

Mr Doonan had planned to go to the concert with his stepdad Eric Chalmers, and his children, Ruaraidh, 13, and Rosie, 10.

He died days before the show, but dozens of his close friends and family descended on Hampden to see AC/DC in his honour.

His mother, Jackie Chalmers, said: “I went to the concert in Kevin’s place.

“At least of couple of dozen of us went to Glasgow.

“We all went in his memory and went and rocked it on his behalf.”

The tributes continued at the Burghead man’s funeral, as mourners attending the humanist cremation in Inverness were asked to wear rock T-shirts and jeans.

More than 250 people celebrated Mr Doonan’s life to a soundtrack of his favourite artists, including Jethro Tull, Rush, The McCalmans, AC/DC and Fairport Convention. His brother said he would have appreciated the gesture.

“He was such a down-to-earth guy, so I said how about if everyone could wear an AC/DC T-shirt and jeans. He would be delighted with that,” he said.

And Mr Doonan said his brother’s response to his cancer diagnosis typified the “force of nature” that he was.

He said: “After a long chat with the doctor about the ins and outs of what was wrong with him, and how long he had, Kevin cocked his head and said ‘well, doctor, what’s the bad news?’

“He had a tough nine weeks, but his sense of humour was sublime. In the absolute face of total adversity, he kept us all going and carried us across the line. He honestly broke the mould.”

The family are now trying to gauge interest in organising a Kevin Doonan memorial music festival in his honour.