Michael "Tunes" Antunes, 1940 – 2025

Saxophonist Michael "Tunes" Antunes (Eddie and the Cruisers), 85, died on Aug. 19. Antunes was best known for playing with the rock band John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, who had the 1983 hit “On the Dark Side.” The band played the titular Eddie and the Cruisers in the film of that name (they also performed in the 1989 sequel). Antunes also played with the bands Ernie and the Automatics, the Blazers, Bernie and the Cavaliers, the New Spices, Mike n’ Jenna, and Triumph. He had 11 children, two of whom are Kevin (musical director for Madonna) and Matthew (musical director for the R&B group Tavares). “The sound of the baritone sax really resonated with me,” Antunes said. “I like that I’m able to express my feelings and make people happy. It’s always been my honor to share the stage with John Cafferty and play the songs he has written. It lets people relive a moment in their life that was important to them and maybe even changed their lives.”

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, “On the Dark Side” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgIsyoxZ7Uw&list=RDGgIsyoxZ7Uw&start_radio=1