Canadian music stars who deceased at age 50
Here are 5 famous musicians from Canada died at 50:
Glenn Gould
Glenn Gould (September 25, 1932 Toronto-October 4, 1982 Toronto) otherwise known as Glen Gould, Glenn Herbert Gold, Gould, Glenn, Glenn Herbert Gould or Glen Gold was a Canadian pianist, composer, film score composer, screenwriter, writer, conductor and broadcaster.
His albums include The Art of Glenn Gould: Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Salzburg Recital 1959, The Composer, Glenn Gould Plays Contemporary Music, Glenn Gould Edition: Berg, Krenek, Webern, Debussy & Ravel, The Glenn Gould Edition: Gould, Shostakovich, Poulenc, Glenn Gould ...And Serenity, Handel: Harpsichord Sonatas nos. 1-4 / Bach: Preludes & Fugues, BWV 878 & 883, The Complete Original Jacket Collection and Bach: The Art of the Fugue / Händel: Harpsichord Suites. Genres he performed include Classical music.
He died in stroke.
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John Mercer Johnson
John Mercer Johnson (October 1, 1818 Liverpool-October 8, 1868) was a Canadian lawyer.
He was best known as the founder of the Canadian law firm now known as McCarthy Tetrault. Johnson was raised in England and studied law at both Cambridge and London before emigrating to Canada in 1843. He set up his first law practice in Montreal before moving to Toronto in 1845. He was eventually appointed Queen's Counsel and served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. Johnson is also noted for his support of the abolition of capital punishment and for helping to found the Upper Canada Bible Society.
In addition to his legal and political career, Johnson was also involved in education. He served as the chairman of the Board of Governors of Upper Canada College and helped establish the Toronto Collegiate Institute. He also played an active role in the establishment of Trinity College, which is now part of the University of Toronto. Johnson was known for his philanthropic work, donating money to various organizations and causes throughout his life. He died in 1868 at the age of 50 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. Today, McCarthy Tetrault is one of the largest law firms in Canada and is recognized as a leader in the legal industry.
Johnson's philanthropic work extended beyond his lifetime. In his will, he left a bequest to establish a scholarship fund at Trinity College for students studying law or medicine. The fund, now known as the John Mercer Johnson Scholarship, continues to support students to this day. Johnson's legacy in the legal profession is also celebrated through the annual John Mercer Johnson Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of commercial law in Canada. In addition, his contributions to education are remembered through the Johnson Athletic Center at Upper Canada College, which was named in his honor. Johnson's impact on Canadian society is a testament to his dedication to justice and education, and his commitment to making a positive difference in the world around him.
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Alden Nowlan
Alden Nowlan (January 25, 1933 Stanley, Nova Scotia-June 27, 1983 Fredericton) also known as Alden Albert Nowlan, A. Nowlan or Alden A. Nowlan was a Canadian playwright and poet.
He grew up in rural Nova Scotia and left school at the age of 14 to work various jobs. Later on, he continued his education through correspondence courses and eventually became a journalist. Despite his lack of formal education, Nowlan went on to become one of Canada's most celebrated poets, known for his ability to capture the essence of rural life and the struggles of working-class Canadians. He was the author of numerous poetry collections, including "The Things Which Are" and "I Might Not Tell Everybody This". In addition to his poetry, Nowlan also wrote several plays and a novel, "The Wanton Troopers", which was published posthumously. He received several awards for his work, including the Governor General's Award for English language poetry in 1967. Alden Nowlan passed away in 1983 at the age of 50.
Throughout his career, Alden Nowlan's writing was characterized by his deep empathy and understanding of the human condition. He was a champion of the underprivileged and often wrote about the struggles of those living in poverty or on the fringes of society. Nowlan's work was deeply rooted in his own experiences growing up in rural Nova Scotia, and many of his poems and plays explore themes of isolation, loneliness, and the search for meaning in life. Today, he is remembered as one of Canada's greatest poets and remains an important voice in Canadian literature.
Nowlan was also known for his unique writing style, which often blended colloquial and more formal language, creating a distinct and engaging voice. He was also known for his use of humor in his writing, even when exploring serious topics. Nowlan's influence on Canadian literature can still be felt today, as many contemporary writers cite him as an inspiration. In addition to his literary achievements, Nowlan was also a beloved public figure, known for his down-to-earth personality and dedication to his community. He was an active member of the Writers' Union of Canada and served as Writer-in-Residence at several Canadian universities. Today, his legacy continues to inspire and impact Canadian literature and culture.
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Leslie Morris
Leslie Morris (April 5, 2015-April 5, 1964) was a Canadian personality.
Leslie Morris became best known as the first Canadian woman to become a commercial pilot. She was born on April 5, 1905, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Flying became Morris' passion at a young age and she eventually earned her pilot's license in the 1920s. After gaining several years of experience, Morris went on to become the first woman to receive a commercial pilot's license in Canada in 1932. Morris paved the way for future female pilots and inspired many with her groundbreaking achievements in aviation. She passed away on her 60th birthday, April 5, 1964, in Regina.
Leslie Morris continued to make history in the aviation industry by becoming the first Canadian woman to fly a single-engine plane across the Rocky Mountains. She achieved this feat in 1935 when she flew a Bellanca Pacemaker from Vancouver to Calgary. Morris also worked as a flight instructor and performed aerial stunts as part of air shows. In addition to her aviation career, Morris was also an accomplished artist and painted many landscapes and portraits throughout her life. Her legacy continues to inspire young women to pursue careers in aviation and break down gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Despite facing discrimination and prejudice as a woman in the male-dominated aviation industry, Leslie Morris persevered and became a trailblazer for future generations of female pilots. She was a member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, and was involved in promoting aviation to women and youth. Morris received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the aviation industry, including being inducted into the Saskatchewan Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010. Her legacy continues to inspire and encourage women to break boundaries and achieve their dreams.
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Shaughnessy Cohen
Shaughnessy Cohen (February 11, 1948 London-December 9, 1998 Ottawa) was a Canadian personality.
She was best known for her work as a Member of Parliament in the Canadian Government. Cohen was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 and was re-elected in 1997. During her time in office, she was an advocate for women's health and equality, and served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. Cohen also worked as a journalist and TV broadcaster before entering politics, and was the host of several popular current affairs programs, including CBC's "The Fifth Estate". Her sudden and unexpected death in 1998 shocked many in the Canadian political and media communities. In her memory, The Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing was established in 2000 to recognize outstanding books on Canadian political and social issues.
During her time as a Member of Parliament, Cohen was known for being a tough and independent voice in politics. She was one of only a few women who sat on the influential Standing Committee on Finance, where she advocated for fiscal responsibility and social justice. Cohen was also a strong supporter of Canada's public healthcare system, and was a vocal advocate for improving access to mental health services.
In addition to her political work, Cohen was a respected journalist and broadcaster. She began her career in media as a researcher for the CBC, before going on to become a producer and host on several current affairs programs. In the 1980s, she worked as a correspondent for CTV News, where she covered stories around the world, including the Ethiopian famine and the conflict in Central America.
Cohen's death came as a shock to many, as she was just 50 years old at the time. She collapsed in the House of Commons while delivering a speech, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Her passing was deeply felt by her colleagues in government and the media, who remembered her as a passionate and dedicated advocate for Canadian values.
Beyond her political and media work, Shaughnessy Cohen was also a devoted mother of two sons. She was known for balancing her busy career with her family life, and was often seen at public events with her children by her side. In addition to the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, a park in Ottawa was also named in her honor. The Shaughnessy Cohen Park features a playground and a walking path, and is a popular community spot in the city. Cohen's legacy continues to inspire Canadian women in politics and media, and her contributions to public discourse are remembered as an important part of the country's history.
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