Eamon Downes, the pioneering electronic music producer known as Ame and co-founder of the influential 1990s dance act Liquid, has died following a five-year battle with a brain tumour.
His death, announced on July 22, 2025, has prompted an outpouring of tributes across the rave community,with producer and former member of Altern-8, Posthuman, saying on Instagram that Eamon’s death “feels like a kick in the stomach.”
Liquid rose to popularity in 1991 when Downes and fellow DJ Shane Heneghan self-released the now-legendary Liquid EP, featuring ‘Sweet Harmony’. The track, which features CeCe Rogers’ iconic ‘Someday’ vocal loop played over and unrelenting breakbeat, was an underground success and, once picked up by XL Recordings in 1992, soared to number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. Their follow-up, Future Music EP, included the rave anthem ‘Liquid Is Liquid’, which cemented their reputation in the breakbeat hardcore scene.
News of Downes’s passing was confirmed by close friend and collaborator Billy Daniel Bunter, who wrote: “It’s with heartbreaking sadness that I’m letting the world know we’ve lost Eamon Downes – devoted husband to Stella, proud dad to Bea, and one of my closest friends ever. This one really hurts.” Bunter reminisced about hearing “Sweet Harmony” on the phone before its chart success and recalled Downes’s hands-on passion for sending dubplates to labels and DJs.
Fans and artists from across the music world have posted tributes online. According to The Sun, one fan wrote, “Sweet Harmony got me through so many tough times. Rest in peace, legend.” Another said, “Sorry to hear this sad news. Cherish the memories with Eamon his music touched a lot of people.” DJs and producers praised Downes for his authenticity, humility, and pioneering spirit.
The legacy of Eamon Downes lives on through the music he made and the lives he touched, especially with ‘Sweet Harmony’, referred to by many as the soundtrack to a generation. His influence remains etched into the DNA of rave culture, a true legend, gone but never forgotten.
