Bruce Guthro at Stanfest, 2019. Photograph by Chris Smith.
September 13, 2023
-by John Gillis
Tributes have poured in from both sides of the Atlantic on the passing, last week, of beloved Cape Breton singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro.
Guthro passed away September 5th, less than a week following his 62nd birthday.
When the Guthro Trio were unable to perform this summer’s Stanfest (Stan Rogers Festival) in July, Bruce posted an emotional video to fans and the Stanfest festival family to which he felt very connected.
In it, he spoke of a serious illness that caused him to cancel the engagement and he asked for prayers and the trio sung a touching song called, Can I Get an Amen. He hoped that he would be able to make Stanfest next year.
Founding artistic director of Stanfest, Troy Greencorn, told The Oran recently that Guthro will be there in spirit as the festival will definitely be paying tribute to him next year.
Greencorn said Guthro was “a close friend, a mentor, and an advisor.”
“It has been a difficult week absorbing this enormous loss, both personally and from the festival’s perspective. His music will stand the test of time and the great memories he gave so many of us will be cherished forever,” said Greencorn.
Greencorn noted how Bruce’s song Stan’s Tune was so well written and how it became a fan and festival favourite.
He credited Guthro with being such a supporter and booster of other artists, especially emerging artists. “He was a rising tide that lifted all boats.”
Greencorn shared a very touching story of the kind of support Bruce often provided.
“2014 brought perhaps the festival’s biggest challenge. Seemingly out of nowhere, Hurricane Arthur appeared on weather radars, projected to make land fall in less than two days in where else but Canso (the festival site). Bruce was taking part in a songwriting workshop at Sherbrooke Village. Knowing organizers and the community would be devastated by this situation, Bruce convinced everyone to head to Canso anyway. All weekend they performed for the volunteers and those hard-core fans who stayed in the campgrounds despite the cancellation. That was Bruce,” said Greencorn.
Matt Minglewood posted on his Twitter (X) account: “My heart is broken today. Nova Scotia has lost a favourite son with Bruce Guthro’s passing. A beautiful guy who helped any and all. Just one of the best.”
Many colleagues noted Bruce’s knack and gift for bringing out the best in everyone and making them feel comfortable on stage whether they were seasoned performers or rising stars in music. Much of that was evident over the years in Bruce Guthro’s Songwriter Circles on stage and through his television show and many spoke of how honoured they were to share the stage with him.
In addition to his successful solo career and a musical career, which spanned some 40 years, Guthro also fronted the popular Scottish Celtic rock band, Runrig for some 20 years (1998-2018) as lead vocalist. He replaced former singer Donnie Munro of that band and also paid respect to the achievements of the band with its former singer – something that earned him the respect of their fans and the band members much appreciated. Runrig had a large international following as well as in the United Kingdom and Scotland.
After Runrig retired in 2018, Bruce resumed his solo career; resumed his popular Songwriter series and television show with special guests and began performing with his two children as the Guthro Trio.
In addition to his recordings with Runrig, Guthro also released several solo albums over the years beginning back in 1994. They included: Sails to the Wind (1994), Of Your Son (1998), Guthro (2002), Beautiful Life (2005), No Final Destination (2009), Celtic Crossing (2011), Bound for Bethlehem (2012).
Guthro also co-produced, along with Dave Gunning, a record for his son Dylan Guthro, which included several songs that he co-wrote.
Runrig posted the following after learning of Guthro’s passing:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts and with profound sadness that we inform you of the news that Bruce passed away last night, having finally lost a long battle with cancer that has stretched back many years. Everyone associated with Runrig is heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend and such a special musical colleague.”
MP Pete Wishart, a former band mate in Runrig said: “He was just the nicest person you could ever hope to meet and a joy to perform with. An exceptional singer, musician, and songwriter taken far too soon. We are going to miss him.”
Bruce was the recipient of nine East Coast Music Awards, three Canadian Radio Music Award, and a SOCAN Songwriter Award and a Canadian Music Association Award.
Cape Breton University conferred an Honourary Doctor of Letters upon Guthro in 2019 calling him “a world-renowned troubadour and story-teller, who like so many Cape Breton artists before him, has a unique ability to connect with people and captivate and inspire audiences through music and song.”
Bruce’s son Dylan and daughter Jodi have followed a musical path in their father’s footsteps.
Bruce was always proud of his Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, roots – born in 1961 and raised in Sydney Mines.
Condolences to Bruce’s wife Kim, his daughter Jodi, and son Dylan and to all his extended family, friends, and fans on this loss.
By all accounts it seemed Bruce lived much as he sang in the chorus of one of his biggest singles, Walk This Road.
“Gonna walk this road,
I’m gonna ride this wind,
I’m gonna open up my soul,
and let the sunshine in.”
R.I.P. Mr. Guthro.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Centre 200, Sydney, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th, 2023, and all are welcome to attend. Funeral service, under the direction of Father Doug MacDonald, will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish, 34 Archibald Ave., North Sydney, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Due to limited capacity, this mass will be open to family and friends. Both the funeral service and Celebration of Life will be live-streamed. Words of comfort may be forwarded to Bruce’s family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
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