Myles Goodwyn, former April Wine singer, dead at 75

Nova Scotia musician Myles Goodwyn, who stepped down earlier this year as the singer of April Wine, died Sunday. The 75-year-old's death was confirmed by his publicist, Eric Alper. The cause of death is unclear.

Musician played his last show with the band in March, but was still helping manage the band

Richard Woodbury · CBC News · Posted: Dec 03, 2023 3:38 PM EST | Last Updated: December 3, 2023

Musician Myles Goodwyn is shown on stage with April on March 2, 2023. — Myles Goodwyn is shown during his final concert with April Wine on March 2, 2023. (Mark B Pineo)

Nova Scotia musician Myles Goodwyn, who stepped down earlier this year as the singer of April Wine, died Sunday.

The 75-year-old's death was confirmed by his publicist, Eric Alper.

The cause of death is unclear.

Goodwyn, who lived in the Halifax area, achieved many feats with April Wine, including selling more than 10 million albums worldwide and receiving 11 Juno nominations. April Wine was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame earlier this year. Goodwyn was also inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

He told CBC News earlier this year that the latter induction was his proudest achievement.

A smiling man wearing a black suit holds an award up. — Goodwyn poses following his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame during the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax on May 4, 2023. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

"This one's for me, and songwriting is what I care for most of all…. I think, probably, I stayed in the business because of songwriting," he said. "I'm not the greatest singer, the greatest guitar player. I'm not the greatest songwriter either, but I took great pride in being able to write songs that were popular."

April Wine songs such as Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love, Roller and Just Between You and Me are an essential part of Canadiana.

Three rock musicians play on stage inside a rink, with purple lighting in the background. — Goodwyn, centre, is shown during his final concert with April Wine. (Mark B Pineo)

While Goodwyn fronted April Wine for more than five decades, his last show with the band was March 2 in Truro, N.S. He continued to be involved with the group, helping manage the band and write material for a new album.

Goodwyn told CBC earlier this year that he was tired of travelling in airports and living out of a suitcase.

"The lifestyle is not healthy for me anymore," said Goodwyn, who had diabetes.

Previous health issues

In 2008, he was hospitalized after he collapsed on his way to a Quebec airport. Alcohol abuse had taken its toll; Goodwyn had internal bleeding and nearly died.

After months of rehab, Goodwyn said he realized there were things he wanted to do, such as write an autobiography, Just Between You and Me, which was released in 2016, and put out a blues album, Myles Goodwyn And Friends of the Blues.

One of the songs on that album was called I Ain't Gonna Bath In the Kitchen Anymore, an autobiographical tune that referenced childhood details such as the lack of running water at their Waverley, N.S., home and hitchhiking to church on Sundays.

While Goodwyn was born in New Brunswick, he was raised in Nova Scotia. He also lived in Quebec for decades.