Canadian legend and troubadour Stompin’ Tom Connors passed way on March 6, 2013.  He was 77.  While he has had a long and great career, Canadians will always remember him for his classic “The Hockey Song“.  Give it a listen, it can’t help but put a smile on your face.

 

 

He got the nickname from his habit of stomping the heel of his boot while he played.  He was a staple on Canadian TV, not only having his own shows, but also by supplying theme songs for various shows and his talent for creating anthems, such as The Hockey Song.  Here is another fine example of his populist song writing skills, “Bud The Spud“.

 

 

In his later years, he pushed away from the limelight.  He had a few disputes with such institutions as the Juno Awards (he returned all his Juno’s to protest their qualification guidelines) and the CBC who would not air a music special about him.  In response to their refusal, he simply stated:

 

“As far as I’m concerned, if the CBC, our own public network, will not reconsider their refusal to air a Stompin’ Tom special, they can take their wonderful offer of letting me sing a song as a guest on some other program and shove it.”.

 

Rest in Peace Stompin’ Tom.

 

Related articles

• Before leaving, Stompin’ Tom Connors says goodbye to fans in letter (calgaryherald.com)
• Music legend Stompin’ Tom Connors dead (sunnewsnetwork.ca)
• Stompin’ Tom Connors’ final letter to his fans (macleans.ca)