Denver musicians, queer community celebrate life and mourn loss of late musician

DENVER — Crowds silenced and jaws dropped when Kyle Simmons took a stage.

From small, local bars to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Simmons’ piercing voice, songwriting skills and stage presence are left in the hearts of those who are celebrating her life after she died Sunday. She was 34 years old and died of acute liver failure.

Simmons grew up in Denver. At 17 years old, she formed her first band called A Girl Named Kyle. The band played venues around the city and sold out Bluebird Theater, which set her on track for a successful music career touring around Colorado, Kansas and Missouri.

At a vigil for Simmons on Monday at Blush & Blu, a Denver lesbian bar, friends shared their favorite memories of performing together, growing in their musical careers and feeling welcomed by her warm and inviting presence.

"I know that her music will live on, and I think it’s a good reminder to just live your life to the fullest and leave it all on the stage,” said Sarah Slaton, a friend of Simmons and another queer musician in Denver. “Whatever your version of the stage is, just give it your all.”

Simmons was best-known for her lead-singer role in Speakeasy Tiger, a Denver-based rock-electro band, which she left in 2010. She also performed with other bands, including Take to the Oars, who she took the stage with at Red Rocks.

Ryan Gombeski, a member of Take to the Oars, said the energy at Red Rocks changed when Simmons took the stage, as fans were pulled in by her magnetic charm.

“Her voice was just so haunting and unmistakable and distinct,” Gombeski said. “There’s no one like her, in this scene or any scene that I've heard.”

As a lesbian musician, Simmons also brought queer representation to Denver’s musical world, which other musicians said will be part of her lasting legacy.

"I think she set an example for people in the queer scene, whether they’re artists or not,” Slaton said. “People want to see visibility and see a reflection of themselves on stage, and she gave that to a lot of people and inspired people to do that themselves.”

Another close friend, C.T. Robinson, said Simmons looked up to older LGBTQ community members and was popular among the entire community.

“All the girls either wanted to be her or wanted to be with her because she had so much to offer,” Robinson said. “I think we all looked up to her in so many ways, and I think she truly created a passion inside each one of us.”

In addition to music, Simmons loved spending time with friends and caring for animals. Those close to her said her love for animals was a testament to how selfless she was. 

Heather Thoma, Simmons’ friend and neighbor, said on one occasion, Simmons parked her car in an illegal spot and saw a parking enforcement vehicle approaching, but was in the middle of petting the dog. Rather than getting up to move the car, Simmons continued petting the dog and accepted the ticket, as it meant more time with the dog.

“She was known for her voice and her stage presence but also her love for animals and nature,” Thoma said. “She always wanted to help everyone.”

After meeting Simmons, the two developed a group relationship in which Toma thought of Simmons — 10 years younger — as a best friend, little sister and mentor to her 20-year-old daughter.

“She was such an important part of my life and my daughter’s as well,” Thoma said. “She was probably the most genuine person I’ve ever met.”

The two used to refer to each other as “soul family,” believing their connection stretched beyond physical life. 

“Of every memory I have, there’s not one negative memory,” Thoma said. “A tiny person with the hugest voice and the hugest heart that I’ve ever met.”

Friends also said Simmons had a way of bringing those around her out of their shells and into moments etched in their hearts as favorite memories.

“She was the kind of person where you could just do nothing and still have a good time,” said Tavis Alley, another former member of Speakeasy Tiger. “Just a complete joy who just lit up the room everywhere.”

Alison Berg is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at alisonberg@rmpbs.org.