Sydney, NS (April 17, 2013) It is with great sadness that we
announce the passing of Cape
Breton’s first lady of song, Rita MacNeil. Rita died last
evening (April 16th) from complications following surgery, at the age of
68.
A gentle soul with a heart of gold and the voice of an
angel, Rita’s music spoke of her love of home and family, the courage to rise
above life’s challenges and the hardworking men and women that tie this country
together. “Working Man”, “Flying on Your Own”, Reason to
Believe”, “I’ll Accept The Rose Tonight” and “Home I’ll Be”, are just a few of
the songs that endeared Rita to fans in Canada, the U.K and
Australia.
Born in Big Pond, Cape Breton on May 28th,
1944 to Neil and Catherine (Rene) MacNeil, Rita was one of eight
children. It wasn’t an easy life, as depicted in her autobiography
“On A Personal Note”(released in 1998), but with determination and a passion for
writing songs and singing, Rita pushed beyond a profound shyness and found her
way to a stage at Expo 86 in Vancouver. It was here that the
world discovered Rita MacNeil.
In 1987 she won her first Juno Award for Most Promising
Female Vocalist. She was 42. “Flying on Your Own”
followed in 1987 and in 1989, her Juno performance with Cape Breton’s Men of the
Deeps of “Working Man”, brought the house
down.
Over the course of her career, Rita recorded more than
24 albums which sold in the millions. She won 3 Juno’s, as well as numerous East
Coast Music Awards, Country Music Awards, and a Gemini for her CBC
variety show 'Rita & Friends' that ran from 1994 to 1997. She
was a Member of the Order of Canada, was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia and is
the recipient of five honorary doctorates. In 1986 she opened
Rita’s Tea Room in her hometown of Big Pond, which in the past few years enjoyed
frequent visits from Rita herself.
Rita’s quick wit and sly sense of humour was a hallmark
of her live shows and was in evidence when she was featured in an episode of the
Trailer Park Boys.
A mother to Laura (Dana) and Wade (Lori), a
grandmother, a dear friend, and a sister, Rita was a Canadian icon – a woman who
had a dream that became a reality - who brought joy and
inspiration to so many.
And you never let the hard times
Take away your soul
And you stopped the tears from
falling
As you watched the young ones go
You’re as peaceful as a clear day
You’re as rugged as the seas
I caress you, oh, Cape Breton, in my
dreams
Home I’ll Be – Rita
MacNeil
“Music is timeless and ageless,” noted the legendary
singer, “the passion I feel for what I do can’t be put aside with a number and a
year. It is a big part of my life – the concerts, the touring, the
letters and the joy the audience gives back to me when the music touches a chord
with them.” Rita MacNeil
I had the honour and pleasure to meet and photograph Rita many times - Bill
2004 2008
2008 - Rita with long time promorer Brian Edwards and manager/son Wade
2009 with Men of the Deep 2011 with the Von Trapp children
2010 2011
2012
May 28, 1944 - April 16, 2013