Adrian Robin Thornton

Adrian Robin Thornton passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, surrounded by music and love at the Turnbull Nursing Home, Saint John, New Brunswick. He was born on November 7, 1946, in Shepherd’s Bush, London, England, to parents Alfred and Marjorie (Gayton) Thornton.

His family emigrated to Canada in 1957 and settled in Saint John.

He was educated in England, Montreal, and the Saint John area. A graduate of the Saint John Institute of Technology in 1966, he worked for a short time in the sheet metal trade in Montreal and Saint John. He graduated from Saint John High School in 1968.

Music was his passion! After studying violin in Saint John, he changed to guitar in 1964. Mostly self-taught, he learnt Flamenco guitar while he was in Montreal in the late sixties.

Back in Grand Bay and Saint John, he worked as a musician in many bands, on lead and bass guitar. He occasionally was called upon for solo work so continued to perfect his Flamenco playing.

In 1987, he met Alison Cran and they started playing music together as the duo Pegasus. Together for 32 years, they played at Incredible Edibles for 11 years and Taco Pica for 25 years and had 5 recordings: “Pegasus”, “The Holly and The Ivy”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Journeys”, and “32 and Counting”. Musician John Brown joined Pegasus whenever they needed a violin and when called upon for a larger group, Snakecharmer was formed. All of the music on Snakecharmer’s only recording, “Rumba Café” was written by Adrian. It achieved national airplay, and was nominated for an East Coast Music Award (Roots).

Adrian also continued with his Flamenco guitar, sometimes solo, sometimes with singer Jennifer Power Scott.

He was a 50-year member of Local 815 Canadian Federation of Musicians. 

He was a longtime advocate for LGBTQ2SI rights. His drag persona, Cinnamon, was very popular and was crowned Miss Bogart two years running.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, roller and ice skating, and cycling.

Surviving are his brother David in Toronto, ON; sister Glenda in Sackville, NB; daughter Andrea Rennick (Ron) in Fredericton, NB; grandchildren: Addison (Kaytlyn LeBlanc), Sarah (Stewart McNeil), Meaghan, and Snowy, all in Fredericton, NB area; great grandchildren: Izzy, Ayla, and Zade, all in Fredericton, NB area; nephew David (Ashley McKay) and their two children, Sybil and Frederic in Toronto, ON; nephew Ryan; his children Hunter and Duncan and their mother Cynthia Fawcett in Sudbury, ON. Also left to mourn is his best friend and musical partner Alison Cran. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister-in-law, Maureen (Allen) Thornton.

The family is grateful for the loyalty of friend Kurt Isenor who was with him throughout this journey and the loving care of the Turnbull Nursing Home staff.

Please join us Sunday November 12th between 1pm-4pm at the Phoenix Theatre, 68 Exmouth Street, Saint John, NB, for a Celebration of Life for Adrian Thornton. Come as you are, come as fabulous, come sing, come play, come remember, come smile.

In memory of Adrian, donations can be made to: Alzheimer Society of NB, NB Musicians’ Assoc., Chroma NB, or Turnbull Nursing Home.