Over the years Summer of Sonic has been very lucky to be able to secure numerous Sonic luminaries to perform and interact with fans at the event. Here’s a list of those who have appeared and a little bit about them.
CRUSH 40 – JUN SENOUE / JOHNNY GIOELI
Years appeared: 2010
THE Sonic the Hedgehog band, SOS 2010 achieved quite the coup in bringing Sonic Musical Director and rocking guitarist Jun Senoue over from Japan and singer extraordinaire Johnny Gioeli over from America to close the show… and bring the house down they did in emphatic fashion.
Jun also provided convention goers with a special lunch time mini-set featuring Sonic music old and new on both keyboard and guitar. Whilst Johnny was a guest on annual fan quiz Nevermind The Buzzbombers.
TJ DAVIS
Singer, Sonic R
Years appeared: 2008
The voice behind such Sonic R tracks as “Can You Feel The Sunshine” and “Super Sonic Racing” TJ proved a real class act at SOS 08. Reuniting with Richard Jacques for several songs from Sonic R she also teamed up with Bentley Jones to perform a special version of “Dreams Dreams” from NiGHTS.
NIGEL DOBBYN
Sonic The Comic Illustrator and Writer
Years appeared: 2009, 2010
Nigel joined his ex-colleague Nigel Kitching at Summer Of Sonic 2009 and enjoyed it immensely, drawing for fans, discussing his work and the decisions that shaped how Sonic The Comic and the Knuckles series that he worked on came to be. He enjoyed it so much he was an early face at SOS 2010, doing art clinics for fans and offering advice and tips on how to make their art better.
RICHARD JACQUES
Sonic Series Musician
Years appeared: 2008
What is there to say about Richard Jacques besides the obvious? The UK based composer of music including the Saturn version of Sonic 3D, Sonic R and contributor to the more recent titles such as Sonic Chronicles, Sonic & The Black Knight and Sonic Free Riders.
Richard performed a special set in 2008 for us, treating people to music from Sonic 1, Sonic R, OutRun and more. He even modified his music for Sonic 3D’s Rusty Ruin Zone for performance for everyone.
BENTLEY JONES (LEE BROTHERTON)
Sonic Series Composer/Singer
Years appeared: 2008, 2009
Still probably best known for Silver’s Theme from SONIC The Hedgehog (2006), Bentley appeared at the first two Summer Of Sonic’s each time providing attendees with heaps of entertainment. After appearing and performing alongside TJ Davis and Richard Jacques in 2008, Bentley performed a two-part set in 2009. Combining his latest work with Sonic favourites in a combination of pure pop and acoustic ambience.
Bentley’s also been generous in his time in the studio for us, SOS08 saw a special version of ballad version of His World created whilst 09 gave us a real treat when he took on the might of the infamous German tecnho songs to perform a serious(ish) version of “They Call Me Sonic”.
NIGEL KITCHING
Sonic The Comic Illustrator and Writer – 1993-1999, 2000
Years appeared: 2008, 2009
Appearing at the first two Summer Of Sonic conventions, Nigel
happily gave his time to discuss the art of Sonic The Comic,
storylines and even drew pictures for fans.
STEVE “S0L” LYCETT
SUMO Digital: Executive Producer – Sonic & SEGA All-Stars
Racing
Years appeared: 2009
ASR’s executive producer appeared alongside the lead designer to demonstrate the Sonic’s latest kart racing, at the time not out for a significant time. Steve took on all-comers in races, engaged fans in a Q&A and helped made ASR the smash hit of SOS 2009′s gaming line-up.