myles goodwyn april wine and myles goodwyn cause of death

Publish date: 2024-05-22

The Canadian music community suffered an enormous loss this week with the passing of legendary classic rock icon Myles Goodwyn on December 4th, 2022 at age 75. As the singer-songwriter guiding force behind arena rock mainstays April Wine for over 50 years, Goodwyn leaves an indelible catalog legacy and hole in the hearts of countless fans.

From their humble Nova Scotia garage rock origins eventually selling over 10 million albums globally, Myles Goodwyn not only propelled April Wine to domestic stardom, but etched radio standards like “Just Between You and Me” and “Tonite is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” permanently into the Great White North’s cultural canon - securing his artistic immortality for generations of proud Canadians.

From East Coast Prodigy to National Treasure

Myles Goodwyn discovered inspiration surrounded by Maritime musical tradition from his early upbringingsplit between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Just 21 years old in 1969 when co-founding April Wine’s progenitor band Woody’s Termites, Goodwyn’s prodigious gifts for crafting indelible melodies and lyrics foreshadowed legendary decades ahead as the eventual rechristened outfit captured national imagination through a string of gold/platinum albums and toured relentlessly coast-to-coast.

By fusing blues rock and soft rock sensibilities masterfully while fronting the band with charismatic swagger onstage followed by humble Maritimer charm offstage in interviews, Myles Goodwyn fast became the approachable everyman rockstar archetype beloved throughout Canada - a genuine national treasure on par with rushing maple leaves or shimmering Mounties.

Over 5 Decades of Enduring Chart Success

While many rock bands lose cultural prominence over time, Myles Goodwyn captained April Wine towards sustained relevance across four decades of lineup fluctuations thanks supremely to an uncanny knack concocting infectious hooks transcending trends. With Goodwyn penning unrelenting radio hits throughusive artistic peaks in the mid 1970s and early 80s, April Wine recordings never gathered much dust on store shelves.

In all, the group earned an astounding 11 Juno nominations over many eras on the back of extensive international touring and steady albums showcasing Goodwyn's earworm songwriting chops blending pop concision with blue collar rock bombast. Though the 2000s welcomed solo efforts and side collaborations, in concert Goodwyn kept delivering fan favorite staples nightly like the consummate showman.

Goodwyn’s Lasting Cultural Significance

While racking impressive album sales and touring receipts quantified commercial success, Myles Goodwyn and April Wine’s profound artistic influence echoed loudest within Canadian music circles through countless subsequent artists citing his enduring inspiration. Tribute songs by top acts like The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo demonstrate the widespread reverence Goodwyn commanded both as a hitmaking singer-songwriter and courageous indie businessman.

Beyond the music realm, Myles Goodwyn’s humble Maritime background and loyalty highlighted through his moving original tunes like “I Ain’t Gonna Bathe in the Kitchen Anymore” paradoxically made the rising star feel accessible across all walks coast-to-coast. His candor confronting past substance abuse further connected with many Canadian fans beyond rock god illusions.

Goodwyn’s Criminal Absence From Major Halls

Despite over 50 years entertainment industry excellence earning April Wine a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame finally in 2022, the absence of solo high honors for principle creative force Myles Goodwyn sparks outrage from advocates who point glaring omissions ignoring his solo genius distinguishing most decorated icons.

For example, unprecedented commercial achievements like dozens of hit singles and millions of albums sold not garnering a single Juno win while celebrated songwriters with lesser stats earned Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductions bewilders industry experts. Long denied his rightful acclaim, at least Goodwyn’s passing should spur retrospective appreciation.

National Outpouring of Grief and Gratitude

As news spread internationally over the weekend about Myles Goodwyn’s death just nine months after his final April Wine concert in Nova Scotia, emotional tributes and memoirs poured out by the thousands on social media and in statements by prominent Canadian music figures expressing profound grief losing this national hero far too soon.

Fans voiced heartfelt appreciation for the soundtrack to their formative years while contemporaries like Randy Bachman praised Goodwyn’s instinctive gift penning radio classics ultimately outliving eras. Together a nation gave thanks for the songs and inspiration gifting multiple generations through his generous talent. Canada feels much quieter missing his commanding arena-ready voice soaring triumphantly from speakers coast-to-coast.

The rare high-profile artists equally beloved through dizzying career pinnacle achievements yet everyday human vulnerability and compassion rank among music’s most precious cultural gifts. Myles Goodwyn represented that singular echelon of Canadian greats thanks to an unparalleled songbook spanning decades yet distinct openness connecting his Maritime roots to national identity beyond stardom trappings.

In another poignant full-circle moment capping his profound cross-genre influence, just weeks before dying classic rock icon Goodwyn collaborated with emerging rapper Classified combining old school bluesy textures with modern hip hop flows - proving the kids indeed remain alright thanks to teachers like Myles Goodwyn forever immortalized by timeless songs in our eager hearts.

Through over five decades of stadium-packing touring dominance to vulnerable latter years health battles, Myles Goodwyn gave Canada his soul while reflecting our best collective spirit back through soaring guitar anthems shouting “Roller!” in defiant unity when hockey home team needed rising. May his finally now rest easy knowing a forever grateful nation returns his passion hundredfold.