Stampeders continue tour including local stops after co-founder’s death

The saying “the show must go on” is taking on a whole different meaning for The Stampeders and their fans.

The tour that was intended to be a final bow for its members will now instead be their tribute to, and celebration of, their friend and partner Ronnie King, who died on March 5.

Born Cornelis Van Sprang but known to most as King, The Stampeders co-founder and bass player, who had been living with cancer, died at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary, surrounded by family and friends.

“It’s a terrible loss to the Canadian music scene … but an unimaginable loss to his band mates Rich (Dodson) and Kim (Berly), whom he loved as brothers,” stated Shantero Productions Inc. president Terry McRae, who co-ordinated bookings for the group’s 2024 Ontario spring tour.

“He was a lovely, charismatic man with an easy sense of humour and a genuine love for the often nomadic ‘life on the road’ he was blessed with.”

The Stampeders had an extensive tour planned with stops at Port Hope’s Capital Theatre on April 7, FLATO Academy Theatre in Lindsay on April 27 and Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on April 30.

The members have decided to go forward with the tour as a way of honouring their dear friend and band member.

“The sudden drastic turn in his health took us all by surprise. As little as three weeks ago he was looking forward to doing one final tour with The Stampeders and was in a positive and optimistic state of mind. Sadly, it was not to be,” stated Berly in a press release.

King, Dodson and Berly began making music together in the spring of 1966 and shortly thereafter left Calgary to pursue the dream of pop stardom in Toronto. The dream became reality five years later with the release of “Carry Me” followed by their breakout hit “Sweet City Woman.”

For the last 56 years, The Stampeders have entertained Canadians from coast to coast with King’s irrepressible humour and willingness to do anything for a laugh setting the tone.

“We, who shared the stage of life with him, were, no doubt, the recipients of an extra-large dose of his larger-than-life persona and we will miss him,” continued Berly.

“The show must go on … Ronnie wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For information on tickets, visit the above listed theatre box offices or websites.

Information on the tour is also available at thestampeders.com.

METROLAND FILE PHOTO The Stampeders have decided to continue their plans to tour Ontario this spring as their way of honouring and celebrating the memory of co-founder and bassist Ronnie King — pictured here with guitarist Rich Dodson — who died on March 5 at the age of 76.