Ian Tyson passed away on December 29, 2022. 

Ian was the King of Canadian Country Music.

Born at Victoria and raised in Duncan British Columbia

He graduated from the Vancouver Art School

Ian said he greatest Musical Influence was another Canadian legend ” Wilf Carter “.

He began his musical career at Toronto where he met Sylvia Fricker and in 1960 they married. They have one son “Clayton ” who was a musical performer but then found in interest in Racing Motor Bikes.

Ian and Sylvia were as a duet had a great career in North America and other English Speaking counties.

Ian and Sylvia divorced amicably in 1975. Sylvia went onto a very successful Solo Career.

Ian then began  his musical journey of sustaining Country and Western Music with his Band  ” The Great Speckled Bird “.

He is considered  to be one of the greatest Canadian Songwriters and considering the number of world class Canadian Songwriters that is a tribute to his musical ability.

” Four Strong Winds ” Is probably the greatest  Canadian song

 ever written.  It is haunting in its’ Musical Construction and Lyrics.

The song tells the tale of a relationship that is on its’ last legs, saying more about dying love in two verses and three identical choruses than some entire Romance Novels.

The song is also an anthem for those settlers who said goodbye to Family and Friends and ventured into a very harsh and unforgiving land to make a life for themselves.

The song is as vast and as lonely as the Canadian Wilderness.

Ian Tyson will be missed.

Enjoy