High Wycombe man who died from brain tumour inspires American band

Sean Crossey, from High Wycombe, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive and fast-growing brain tumour, in August 2016 after experiencing intermittent vomiting, dizziness and crippling headaches.

He underwent three brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy but died in September 2018 - just three months after marrying his long-term partner, Laura. He was 29 years old.

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AJ Perdomo and Sean Crossey (Image: Brain Tumour Charity)

Following his death, his friend AJ Perdomo who is the lead signer of American rock band The Dangerous Summer’s, wrote a song inspired by him.

AJ Perdomo also lost his friend Amanda Dayon, of New Jersey, America, who died on  September 8, the same day as Her Majesty The Queen from cancer.

Sean and Amanda inspired the song Goodbye, which appears on the band’s latest album Coming Home, released August 26.

Talking to Brain Tumour Research, a charity that supported Sean, AJ said: “It kind of came pouring out of me as songs do, and it felt like there was a sadness but a positivity in the message. The fact we got to spend time together knowing gave us a peacefulness and I tried to paint the emotion the best way I could.

“It’s this melancholy emptiness, but there is a layer of happiness and all too often ‘it feels like we say goodbye too many times’. I’m sending my heart out to anyone who has been through, or is going through the same. It is the never-ending toll of life, a destination we are all going to reach but no amount of time is ever long enough.”

AJ met Sean during his band’s first visit to the UK in 2010. Sean, who was also a talented musician, was living with Jamie Osman, who became the band’s manager, at an apartment where they ‘partied after the show, and laughed and sang songs’.

AJ said: “Jamie was like a brother to Sean and they would come to every single show of ours; we would hang out so much. Sean was a genius, he even made our website, and a few versions of it over the years. Our band broke up and, after many trips across the pond, it felt like it would be a long time until we would come back.

“I remember seeing the news of Sean’s sickness on Facebook and talking to Jamie about it, and Sean directly and just holding out hope and love, and feeling like there was no way he could leave us.

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“It feels like the world is missing an incredible human being, an incredibly sweet and intelligent soul. I love him so much and there is a hole there that will always exist.”

Jo Crossey, Sean’s mum said: “We’re very proud and honoured that Sean has been remembered in this way. It’s yet another reminder of how much he touched people’s lives.”

The Dangerous Summer is doing a UK tour starting in Birmingham on September 27 and finishing in London on October 5. 

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “This song is a touching tribute to a special young man who was taken from this world way too soon and we commend AJ and The Dangerous Summer for creating it.

"Sean’s story is a stark reminder of the fact brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. We’re working to change this.”