Cecil Bunting McCormack – popularly known as Bunny Mack, has died in London after a short illness.

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Bunny rose to global fame after recording a string of dance floor hits.

At the age of six, he began playing the harmonica and penny-whistle, making his first public appearance at age eight. Later, he started playing both the banjo and guitar, and singing in church choirs.

He launched his career in music when he formed a band called The Daverns, along with a group of friends. After taking the stage name Kenny Marson, he joined the band Soundcasters ’66 and went to the UK where their first single was released in 1967.

Two years later “Oh How I Miss Her” was a UK hit. They then relocated to Germany. They performed in Europe for a year, but then split up. He joined a series of groups and in the late 1970’s finally teamed up with The Afro National producer, Akie Deen who also passed away in Freetown, Sierra Leone over a year ago.

His second single with Deen “Funny Lady / Discolypso” brought a commercial breakthrough and the follow-up ‘Let Me Love You Forever confirmed success.

In 1981, his first LP “Let Me Love You” became a disco hit which he recorded along with other prolific musicians – Alfred Bannerman, George Lee, Jake Sollo, and Papa Mensah.

His disco/funk/calypso fusion featured English lyrics to a thumping dance beat and as a result, Bunny Mack was voted musician of the year by Africa Music magazine and received a gold disc for “Let Me Love You”.

In November 2009, American rapper Wale made a remix version of the song that was included on the album Attention Deficit. The song was also featured in the British music Charts.

In 2014, the remix version of the song LET ME LOVE YOU was also featured on Capital Xtra Afro beats Top 10 Music Charts on a new version called “My Sweetie”.

Bunny Mack was born Cecil Bunting MacCormack on the 3rd of December 1945 in Freetown. He attended the Buxton Boys School, the Government Model Middle School and the Prince of Wales Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Cecil Bunting MacCormack was also deeply passionate about his Freemasonry. He held a London Grand Rank, and was an outstanding mason in the Royal Arch, Mark and Royal Ark Mariner.

Bunny is survived by his wife Vio, his son Kevin, two daughters and several grandchildren. He will be sorely missed across the world.