I see that Glen Hansard has passed away, and for someone who quotes musicians constantly, I’m embarrassed to admit I barely knew who he was. His name floated around the edges of my musical world, but I never stopped long enough to listen.
As usual, I started doing my research in preparation for a remembrance post — expecting to learn the basics about a musician I had somehow overlooked. Instead, I found myself shocked at just how good this guy was. Within minutes, I was wondering how I had missed him entirely.
The voice, the honesty, the emotional weight — it all hit at once. Then came the discoveries: his busking roots, his years with The Frames, the storytelling woven through every performance, and the quiet intensity that seemed to define him. I wasn’t a longtime fan, but suddenly I understood why so many people were.
There’s a strange ache in discovering an artist only after they’re gone. You feel the weight of everything you missed, paired with the gratitude of finally hearing them clearly. Glen Hansard left behind a body of work that deserves every bit of attention it gets, and I’m only now beginning to understand the depth of what he created.
I wish I had found him sooner. But I’m glad I found him now.
Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, professionally known as Melanie Sakfa and widely known as singer Melanie, passed away on January 23, 2024. She was born on February 3, 1947, in New York City.
She began her career singing in coffee shops, as many did then. After spending time in college, she began singing in various NYC clubs, eventually signing her first recording contract with Columbia Records. After some releases, she signed with Buddha Records and a string of hits started.
Her first major success was “Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)” in 1970. This was followed by a great version of the Rolling Stones hit “Ruby Tuesday” in 1970. In 1971, she recorded her most successful tune, which went global, “Brand New Key.”
She continued to record over the years, with several charted songs and albums, her last being recorded in 2010. A pioneer of today’s music, she performed at Woodstock and many other major events of the period. Another talent that will be missed but will live on through music.
Have a listen to the song “Brand New Key” and live as always. Please support live music and also patronize independent artists.
Myles Goodwyn, a blast from my past, passed away on December 3, 2023, at 75. I say a blast from the past as the band he basically led, April Wine, was a big part of my life’s soundtrack. Not well known internationally, April Wine is a Canadian treasure.
He formed Apil Wine in 1969 with David Henman , Ritchie Henman , and Jim Henman. The band underwent many personnel changes over the years with Myles being there through it all until late 2022 when he retired from touring due to health issues. He left the band in March 2023.
His accomplishments were many and included the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The band has recorded 16 albums, 15 compilations and 9 live albums. To my detriment, I never saw them live even though I had many opportunities. A regret for sure.
The memories attached to their volume of work are huge and plentiful. Their heyday was perfectly placed in my music timeline. He will be missed. I leave you with one of my favourites, and as always, a live version.
English: George Duke and Miles Davis in 1986 at Montreux Jazz Festival. Français : Miles Davis et George Duke en 1986 au Montreux Jazz Festival. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The world lost a great one on August 5. George Duke, the legend, passed away at the age of 67. Not many careers as fine as this jazz keyboardist, singer, composer and producer. And collaborator, wow, he played with Zappa on many of his albums and is recognized as a major keyboard pioneer. Truly an amazing player. He played with everybody, Al Jarreau, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and the list goes on. Almost 40 albums on his own, innumerable albums as a sideman, he will be missed. The cut I have posted is unbelievably good. It is a live video of George and his band at the java Jazz Festival.
Peter Appleyard with Dick Hyman , 2007 Toronto Jazz Festival (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
British born, but Canadian jazz composer and percussionist Peter Appleyard passed away on July 18, 2013.He was 84. Born in England, he moved to Bermuda in 1949 , eventually landing in Toronto a few years later. In the 1950’s and 60’s , he was a staple on CBC radio, performing live on various shows. In the 1970’s he began touring and playing with the Benny Goodman sextet. As time went on, his reputation grew as a world class vibraphonist. He played with such greats as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, while always maintaining his base in Toronto. Among his many awards were a Juno and the Order of Canada. Terrific player. I have posted here a couple of tunes, the first a recent live performance of “It don’t Mean A Thing” and an older clip of “Tangerine”. Both of them have many great artists along with him.
Clarence Burke Jr passed away on May 25th, he was 62. He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist with 1970’s family band “The Five Stairsteps“. The band was best known for it’s hit “O-o-h Child“, a song rated at 392 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 of All time. The video below is the band on “Soul Train“.
Tony Sheridan, an early Beatle (Ok the Beat Brothers), he is one of only 2 men (the other being Billy Preston) to be credited on a Beatle song, and the only person to sing lead on a Beatle single, passed away on February 16, 2013. All the stories have been told, so no point in rehashing them. Suffice to say that the Beatles first album was released as “My Bonnie” by Tony Sheridan and the Beatles. The band’s name was changed to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers as the word Beatles sounded too much like the German word for penis. I wonder how they dealt with that as the Beatles became more and more famous.
He was an original rock & roll artist, but migrated to more of a jazz player as his career continued. He continued recording right up to 2008. Here is a sampling of his work.
Reg Presley passed away on February 4, 2013. Reg was an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer for 19560’s band The Troggs. They has several hits back in the day, but the one he will be most remembered for will be “Wild Thing“. The band also had a major hit with “With A Girl Like You”. Both are linked below. He was also an author, writing “Wild Things They Don’t Tell Us”, a book about lost civilizations etc. Another piece of my youth has left us.
And a bonus, the answer to who originally did Wet Wet Wet’s 1994 hit “Love Is All Around”.
