- Stewart Francke, a beloved figure in metro Detroit’s music scene, died at 66 on May 9 after years of health complications related to a 2019 stroke.
- Known for blending rock, soul and folk, Francke recorded 12 critically acclaimed albums and earned multiple Detroit Music Awards.
- The musician was a cancer survivor and advocate who founded a leukemia foundation and spent years supporting cancer treatment causes.
Stewart Francke, a beloved figure in Detroit's music scene whose mix of rock, soul and folk earned him a loyal following, has died. He was 66.
According to his family, he died on the morning of Friday, May 9, from complications related to a stroke he suffered in 2019.
Born and raised in Saginaw and a longtime resident of Huntington Woods, Francke often called Detroit his adopted hometown. He built a decades-long career as a singer-songwriter marked by emotional depth, resilience and Midwestern, working-class grit.
"I wish I had his words — he truly had a brilliant mind," his sister, Kit Francke-Reece, told the Free Press. "His music was bright, relatable and beautiful, and he was very thoughtful and funny."
His impact on metro Detroit's music scene
Francke began making music at 19, according to his manager, Pete Wurdock. He got his start under the mentorship of Midwestern blues musician Bob “Boogie Bob” Baldori, a founding member of The Woolies.
After attending the University of Redlands in California, Francke worked as a music journalist, contributing to newspapers nationwide, including the Detroit Metro Times, before turning to music full-time.
Since 1995, Francke recorded 12 critically acclaimed albums. His music earned him multiple Detroit Music Awards, headlining spots at festivals like Arts, Beats & Eats, and a rare backing vocal contribution from Bruce Springsteen on his song “Summer Soldier (Holler If Ya Hear Me).”
When Eddie Money opened Pine Knob’s summer concert season, a fan-favorite tradition in Michigan, Francke and his band often performed as the opening act. He also opened for Bob Seger in 2011, collaborated with Mitch Ryder, and featured The Funk Brothers on his 2005 album “Motor City Serenade.”
"I was jealous of his musical education. He knew so much about music — different musicians, eras. He was also very well-read, and he shared that knowledge with a lot of people," said Jill Jack, a friend of his and fellow metro Detroit singer-songwriter.
"Stewart would challenge himself and color so much outside of the lines. He'd write books, he'd wrote songs ... where a lot of us hesitate, he just dove in," she added.
Jack met Francke about 30 years ago, at the start of her career, and said he took her under his wing. She sang on several of his albums, briefly performed as a backup singer in his live shows, and often sought his feedback on her music. She credits him with helping her achieve many of her successes in the industry.
"He has selflessly given me opportunities to make my career and my life better," Jack said.
An advocate for cancer patients
Francke was open about his health struggles and made it a personal mission to support others facing similar challenges. Diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 1998 at age 40, he underwent a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from his sister, Francke-Reece.
His 1999 album, "Swimming in Mercury," opened the window into his experiences in the bone marrow transplant unit, she said.
Shortly after his cancer battle, he started The Stewart Francke Leukemia Foundation, which funded bone marrow matches for minority patients and supported organizations such as the Karmanos Cancer Institute, the Children's Leukemia Foundation and others.
"He never turned down performing at benefit shows for various cancer-related causes," according to Wurdock.
Despite several health setbacks, Francke continued to be a vital part of the Detroit music community. In 2023, following his stroke, a tribute concert was held in his honor to celebrate his contributions and rally support during his recovery.
"He has touched so many people's lives, not just musicians — so many Karmanos patients, anyone he found out had cancer," Jack said. "He would call them, he would visit them. He would counsel them."
Jack recalled her own cancer diagnosis in the early 2000s and how she coincidentally ran into Francke as soon as she walked out of the cancer center, still stunned by the news her doctor gave her.
“I started crying and asked what he was doing there, and he said, ‘What are you doing here?’" she told the Free Press. "He just grabbed my shoulders and told me, ‘Whatever they told you — live, live, live.’”
She said Francke called her every day after that, leaving voicemails either singing or simply saying the words “live, live, live.”
Tributes poured in on social media after Francke's death, including from the Detroit Music Awards.
"Very sorry to hear about the passing of frequent DMA winner and participant Stewart Francke," the organization wrote on Facebook. "He leaves a legacy of good works, musically and otherwise, and inspiration from his long and courageous battle."
The beloved musician was preceded in death by his parents, G. Stewart and Kay Francke. He is survived by his wife, Julia; daughter Tess Francke Barrett (Malichi); son G. Stewart III; sisters Martha Humphreys (John) and Kit Francke-Reece; as well as many nieces, nephews and fans who admired his music.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter@nrahal1.
