Former frontman and lyricist for the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, Bruce Guthro, passed away at the age of 62.
On Wednesday (6 September), the band confirmed the death of their Canadian lead singer, saying that Guthro passed away after a long fight with cancer.
Bruce "lost his long battle with cancer that stretched back many years" and "it is with the heaviest of hearts and profound sadness that we inform you of the news that Bruce passed away last night [5 September]," the band said in a statement.
"Everyone in the Runrig family is devastated by the loss of a dear friend and a truly remarkable musical colleague," the band said.
SNP MP Pete Wishart, a friend and former bandmate of Guthro's, expressed his sadness at the news, saying, "We've lost a friend, but we will never get to hear this wonderful voice singing voice live again." on BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime show.After celebrating his 62nd birthday on August 31, he passes away less than a week later.
Canada's Nova Scotia is where Guthro entered the world in 1961. His 40-year music career kicked off with the 1994 release of his first solo album, Sails to the Wind.
He became a member of Runrig in 1998, a pivotal year in the rise to prominence of the Canadian rock band. Guthro remained a member of the band until its dissolution in 2018.
In 2016, following the release of their 14th and final studio album, The Story, the band announced their intention to retire.
After starting their farewell tour, The Last Dance, in 2017, they played their final gig in August of 2018 in Stirling City Park, Scotland, in front of an estimated 52,000 supporters.
After Runrig's retirement, Guthro and his adult children Dylan and Jodie continued playing as the Guthro Trio.In addition, he frequently held his own Songwriters Circle at a Halifax venue, where he and three invited guests would play a selection of their most well-known songs.In a tribute, fellow Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis reminisced about Guthro, saying, "He was such a gifted singer and a powerful performer." Singing alongside him onstage and off throughout the years was one of the biggest honours of my life.
No word yet on the funeral arrangements.
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