Stompin' Tom made Sudbury part of Canada's mythology
Update March 8 at 2:22 p.m.
Stompin' Tom Connors passed away of natural causes March 6 at the age of 77. The folk musician played an integral part in shaping the country's identity with his songs about Canada.
Over the course of 61 recorded albums, 10 of which have yet to be released to the public, he “chronicled every corner of the country.”
He “literally put Canada on the map” with songs like “The Hockey Song,” “Bud The Spud,” “Tillsonburg,” “Big Joe Mufferaw” and countless others.
One of most famous, of course, is Sudbury Saturday Night.
The song gives Sudbury a national image, making us “as Canadian as hockey and PEI potatoes,” said Paul Loewenberg, manager of the Towne House.
“One of his most known songs is about us,” he said.
Not only does the song shine a light on Sudbury, the story goes that Connors actually wrote the anthem while performing in the city.
“The legend goes in 1965, Tom was playing a three-week engagement at the Towne House,” Loewenberg said.
Sometime during his second week of playing here, he decided to lure more people out by singing them a song all about their city. Soon, people began to talk.
“The guy who was playing the downtown bar had written a great song about Sudbury,” Loewenberg said.
Gianfranco Stradiotto worked at the Towne House when Connors was writing Sudbury Saturday Night.
“He was bringing in the people,” Stradiotto recalled. “People were lined up to come in. We let so many people in at a time until other people left.
“It was packed.”
Connors played here last in August 2006.
Loewenberg said Connors was a “great activist” for the Canadian music scene. In the late 60s, Loewenberg said Connors returned his Juno awards and took a step back from music.
“He walked away from the music industry because he felt it didn't support Canadians,” he said.
Once he felt his voice had been heard, Connors came back to the industry and continued to chronicle the Canadian experience.
In a farewell letter to his fans, posted on his website, Connors said he truly appreciated all the support he received from his country and the people who call it home.
“Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present, or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin’ Tom,” the letter said.
“It was a long, hard, bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with its beauty, character and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world.
“I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the patriot Canada needs now and in the future.
“I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes. I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives from the work I have done.”
A general feeling of sadness has been felt by local fans.
“Uncle” Jeff Fuller, who used to pay tribute to Connors with the Shaft Bottom Boys, and still does on his own, said “it was sad to see him go.”
“Stompin' Tom has been a hero of mine for a long time,” he said. Since the early 70s, Fuller has been singing his songs.
Fellow Shaft Bottom Boy Brian Benham agreed.
“Stompin’ Tom has a special place in the hearts of the Shaft Bottom Boys,” he said. “Connors songs are timeless in their description of Canadian life. His works will continue to be popular for years and years to come. The Shaft Bottom Boys will help to keep Stompin’ Tom’s memory alive through his songs.
Mayor Marianne Matichuk was also saddened to learn of Conner's passing.
“Stompin’ Tom endeared himself to Canadians because he devoted himself and his music to life in Canada,” Matichuk said.
“He wrote and sang about the things Canadians hold dear, such as hockey. He cared most about being a Canadian and he will never be forgotten for that.”
Connors is survived by his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.
A celebration of Connors' life is being planned for 7 p.m. March 13 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ont.
It will be open to the public, as per his request. In lieu of flowers, the Connors family has asked that donations be made to local food banks or homeless shelters, in memory of Stompin' Tom.
Original story
Canada lost a musical icon last night.
Stompin' Tom Connors passed away of natural causes March 6 at the age of 77. The folk musician played an integral part in shaping the country's identity with his songs about Canada.
Over the course of 61 recorded albums, 10 of which have yet to be released to the public, he “chronicled every corner of the country.”
He “literally put Canada on the map” with songs like “The Hockey Song,” “Bud The Spud,” “Tillsonburg,” “Big Joe Mufferaw” and countless others.
One of most famous, of course, is Sudbury Saturday Night.
The song gives Sudbury a national image, making us “as Canadian as hockey and PEI potatoes,” said Paul Loewenberg, manager of the Towne House.
“One of his most known songs is about us,” he said.
Canadian music icon Stompin' Tom Connors passed away March 6. He was 77 years old. File photo.
Not only does the song shine a light on Sudbury, the story goes that Connors actually wrote the anthem while performing in the city.
“The legend goes in 1965, Tom was playing a three-week engagement at the Towne House,” Loewenberg said.
Sometime during his second week of playing here, he decided to lure more people out by singing them a song all about their city. Soon, people began to talk.
“The guy who was playing the downtown bar had written a great song about Sudbury,” Loewenberg said.
He played here last in August 2006.
Loewenberg said Connors was a “great activist” for the Canadian music scene. In the late 60s, Loewenberg said Connors returned his Juno awards and took a step back from music.
“He walked away from the music industry because he felt it didn't support Canadians,” he said.
Once he felt his voice had been heard, Connors came back to the industry and continued to chronicle the Canadian experience.
In a farewell letter to his fans, posted on his website, Connors said he truly appreciated all the support he received from his country and the people who call it home.
“Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present, or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin’ Tom,” the letter said.
“It was a long, hard, bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with its beauty, character and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world.
“I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the patriot Canada needs now and in the future.
“I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes. I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives from the work I have done.”
Connors is survived by his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.
A celebration of Connors' life is being planned for 7 p.m. March 13 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ont.
It will be open to the public, as per his request. In lieu of flowers, the Connors family has asked that donations be made to local food banks or homeless shelters, in memory of Stompin' Tom.
