Myles Francis Goodwyn (June 23, 1948 – December 3, 2023) was a Canadian musician. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the rock band April Wine. He released 16 studio albums with April Wine, and four albums as a solo artist. Goodwyn led the group from its inception and garage band roots to its multiplatinum sales peak. He received the National Achievement Award at the 2002 SOCAN Awards, an ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of April Wine.

Myles Goodwyn
Goodwyn in 2008
Goodwyn in 2008
Background information
Born(1948-06-23)June 23, 1948
Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada
DiedDecember 3, 2023(2023-12-03) (aged 75)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
Years active1969–2023
Formerly ofApril Wine
Websiteaprilwine.ca

Early life

edit

Goodwyn was born on June 23, 1948, in Woodstock, New Brunswick.[1][2] He grew up in Waverley, Nova Scotia, and recalled hitchhiking to church on Sundays.[3]

Career

edit

Goodwyn helped form April Wine in 1969, with David Henman (guitar), Ritchie Henman (drums), and Jim Henman (bass). He led the group from its inception and garage band roots to its multiplatinum sales peak.[4][5] Following the band's peak and commercial success during the 1970s and early 1980s, Goodwyn also pursued a solo career.[1]

In 2002, Goodwyn won the National Achievement Award at the annual SOCAN Awards held in Toronto.[6] In January 2003, he received an ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on the music industry of Atlantic Canada.[7][8][9]

In March 2008, Goodwyn stated in an interview that he had been in the studio recording his second album Myles Goodwyn & Friends of the Blues. It was to be an all-blues album featuring guest performers such as Amos Garrett, David Wilcox, Frank Marino, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and Rick Derringer.[10] Goodwyn stated that the record was an opportunity to rediscover a passion for blues music, and that he was inspired by the music of Taj Mahal.[11]

In 2010, Goodwyn and April were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.[12][13] In 2016, his autobiography, Just Between You and Me, was released.[3][13] In 2018, his second book was published–"Elvis And Tiger".[13] His second album Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues was released in 2018, and earned an ECMA award for "Blues Recording of the Year" in 2019. He subsequently released Myles Goodwyn and Friends Of The Blues 2 in 2019, which also earned the same ECMA award for "Blues Recording of the Year" in 2020.[13] In 2022, Goodwyn received the Singapore International Festival of Arts award for his song "For Ukraine", judged in the "best social impact music/art" category.[13]

On December 20, 2022, Goodwyn retired from touring with April Wine due to his diabetes and poor health. As of 2022, Goodwyn was the only original member of April Wine to be active with the band.[12][13] He continued to write material for the band, and gave his final live performance with April Wine on March 2, 2023, in Truro, Nova Scotia.[3]

Goodwyn was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, and April Wine was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2023. During his career, April Wine sold more than 10 million albums, and were nominated 11 times for Juno Awards. Goodwyn felt that his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame was his greatest achievement.[3]

Personal life and health issues

edit

Goodwyn was raised in Nova Scotia, then lived in Quebec for decades. Later in life, he lived in the Halifax area.[3] He was married to a Jewish wife, and their son also had diabetes. Aside from music, Goodwyn enjoyed golf.[11]

He had abused alcohol, then collapsed and nearly died from internal bleeding in 2008. After months of rehab, he committed to publishing his autobiography. He retired due to health concerns in March 2023, no longer wanting to travel frequently.[3] He died at age 75 on December 3, 2023, in Halifax.[1][3]

Discography

edit

Discography of Goodwyn:[1]

with April Wine

edit

Studio albums

edit

Solo

edit
  • Myles Goodwyn (1988)
  • Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues (2018)
  • Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues 2 (2019)
  • Myles Goodwyn Long Pants (2022)

Singles

edit
  • "Do You Know What I Mean" (with Lee Aaron) (1988) [#47 CAN][14]
  • "My Girl" (1988) [#41 CAN][15]
  • "Are You Still Loving Me" (1988) [#88 CAN]

Production credits

edit
 Year  Album Artist   Co-produced with  
 1975  "Lady Lover" (45 single)[16]  Bronze  -
 1976  The Whole World's Goin' Crazy[1]  April Wine  -
 1977  Forever for Now[1]  April Wine  -
 1978  First Glance[1]  April Wine  -
 1979  One Night Stands[1]  Teaze  -
 1979  Harder ..... Faster[1]  April Wine  Nick Blagona
 1980  Ladies Man[17]  April Wine  Nick Blagona
 1980  Body Shots[18]  Teaze  -
 1981  The Nature of the Beast[1]  April Wine  Mike Stone
 1982  Power Play[1]  April Wine  Mike Stone
 1984  Animal Grace[1]  April Wine  Mike Stone
 1985  One for the Road[19]  April Wine  Mike Stone
 1986  Walking Through Fire[20]  April Wine  Lance Quinn
 1988  Myles Goodwyn[1]  Myles Goodwyn   Lance Quinn
 1990  The Best of Teaze (Over 60 Minutes With...)[18]   Teaze  -
 1993  Attitude[1]  April Wine  George Lagios
 1994  Frigate[1]  April Wine  -
 2001  Back to the Mansion[1]  April Wine  April Wine 
 2002  Bulletproof[18][21]  Julian Austin  -
 2006  Roughly Speaking[1]  April Wine  -

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Myles Goodwyn Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Myles Goodwyn". April Wine. 2003. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Woodbury, Richard (December 3, 2023). "Myles Goodwyn, former April Wine singer, dead at 75". CBC News. Halifax, Nova Scotia. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Scrivener, Leslie (March 14, 2009). "Music – April Wine gets its respect". TheStar.com. Toronto. Archived from the original on March 17, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  5. ^ Elliott, Ian (March 17, 2009). "Snub hits sour note". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  6. ^ "2002 SOCAN Awards". SOCAN. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  7. ^ "CBCnews – Great Big Sea take five (ECMA) awards". CBC.ca. February 17, 2003. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  8. ^ "East Coast Music Awards". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  9. ^ "CB Music News – Myles Goodwyn to receive ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award". CBMusic.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  10. ^ Cat, Ross (2008). "Rock Rapport". Best of Western New York. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "10 questions for the lead singer of April Wine". The Scope. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Friend, David (December 29, 2022). "Myles Goodwyn to retire from touring with April Wine but continue working with band". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "April Wine Founder And Singer Myles Goodwyn Announces Retirement From Touring". Blabbermouth.net. December 29, 2022. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 23, 1988" (PDF).
  15. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - October 15, 1988" (PDF).
  16. ^ "April Wine, the Buerster Collection – Singles – Myles Goodwyn Projects". AprilWine.ws. Archived from the original on February 6, 2007. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  17. ^ "April Wine, the Buerster Collection – Ladies Man (sleeve B)". AprilWine.ws. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  18. ^ a b c "April Wine, the Buerster Collection – Compact Discs". AprilWine.ws. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  19. ^ "April Wine–One for the Road (Live in Ottawa)". AllMusic. 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  20. ^ "April Wine, the Buerster Collection – Boxed set, booklet 2". AprilWine.ws. Archived from the original on June 6, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  21. ^ "Julian Austin – Official Website – Music – Bulletproof". JulianAustin.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
edit