The Windsor music community is mourning the loss of Louis “Big Louie” Zanotti, founder of the longtime local group Big Louie and the Band. In a statement posted on social media, the band announced that Zanotti had died following what it described as a courageous four-year battle with cancer. “We are heartbroken to share news that our dear friend and founder, ‘Big Louie’ Zanotti, has passed away after a courageous four-year battle with cancer,” the statement said. Zanotti was a fixture in Windsor’s music scene for more than four decades, leading a band that became a familiar presence at weddings, corporate functions, fundraising galas and other community events across Windsor-Essex. Known for its performances throughout the region, Big Louie and the Band built a reputation as one of Windsor-Essex’s most recognizable live acts.
