![]() MacNeil was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1992 and the Order of Nova Scotia in 2005. The show ran through 1997 and won a Gemini Award. MacNeil won female vocalist of the year at the 1990 Junos and country female vocalist of the year at the '91 show.Īnd she further expanded her reach by launching the CBC-TV variety show "Rita & Friends" in 1994. She will always be with us through her music and the special moments we shared." "She had such a generous heart, and great sense of humour. The von Trapps, who toured Canada with MacNeil during Christmas in 2011, said in a statement that it was an honour to be able to know and work with such a prolific songwriter. She issued a popular Christmas album later that year and began recording hit records at a torrid pace, with a new release coming near-annually for the next decade. MacNeil disputed that and pointing out she always loved rock.Īudiences seemed to embrace MacNeil's new sound and the record quickly reached platinum status in Canada. Some reviewers thought the record represented a compromise in MacNeil's sound, with a move toward a more rock-oriented style. She didn't wait long to issue a followup, releasing "Reason to Believe" the following year. It was soon certified platinum.Īlso in 1987, MacNeil won her first Juno Award as Canada's "most promising female vocalist" - at age 42 (she graciously accepted the award even though some thought it odd). Her breakthrough came with 1987's "Flying on Your Own." The album - with a cover featuring MacNeil under one of her trademark floppy hats - finally won her some radio play, largely on easy-listening stations in smaller Canadian cities. She issued another album, "I'm Not What I Seem," in 1983. Still, MacNeil was building a fan base through her consistently first-rate performances and slowly growing discography. She fell in love with singing by the age of six, despite her shy disposition and a cleft palate that eventually required surgery. I have lost a good friend."Īdded Prime Minister Stephen Harper: "Saddened to hear about the passing of one of Cape Breton and Canada's finest voices, Rita MacNeil."īorn in Big Pond, N.S., in 1944, MacNeil grew up with three brothers and four sisters. It was evident that she touched them all from the many letters and comments we received after that show. ![]() Rita could convey that kind of warmth and sincerity through her songs to the people in the studio audience and to the viewers at home. When she sang 'Working Man' there wasn't a dry eye in the house. "Coming from a coal mining area she had a soft spot in her heart for those miners. Article contentĬountry music legend Tommy Hunter said his "one vivid memory" of MacNeil was when she was a guest on his show.ĬLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF RITA MACNEIL This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.Westcoast Homes & Design Previous Issues.Vancouver Sun Run: Sign up & event info. ![]()
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