By Stevie Connor.
As I switched on the computer at my desk early this morning, I opened the usual website platforms and social feeds, I was sent a message from a friend, Randy MacNeil who was brought up on Cape Breton Island, "sad news about Bruce Guthro this morning", I checked headlines and there was no news, then I thought to check my friend Dave Gunning's social media page, and there it was, I knew that Bruce had been ill, but had no idea that it was this bad, his words cut right through me.
Dave Gunning wrote, "There’s a hole in the world today. We lost our brother Bruce last night. I swear that I can feel him in the wind today. I’m thinking of his wife Kim and their son and daughter, Dylan and Jodi. They are all such sweet souls as was he. There are a lot of people hurting right now. Hugs to you all. Bruce touched a lot of lives and did so much for so many of us. I’m sure gonna miss you. Love you pal."
Living in Canada for many years I knew what a giant in the music industry Bruce was here, legend is a status reserved for giants, and Bruce was way up there, as a singer-songwriter, and also as a caring human being, he was loved by all that knew him and his fanbase stretched across the ocean and around the world. Coming from Scotland, I also knew what a giant he was there too, he stepped into the shoes of Donnie Munro as the lead singer of the legendary Celtic Rock group Runrig, and for twenty years filled those shoes admirably, to be honest, I preferred the band with Bruce at the helm. He and the band in general were a huge influence on me as a young musician.
Bruce was also very active in the corporate world organizing corporate entertainment for a wide variety of national, and Halifax based companies. He was the creator of the popular 'Songwriters Circle' which he hosted quarterly at the Schooner room in Halifax and incorporated the event into private functions for various organizations.
Bruce is such a loss to the music world, and will be a hard act to follow, but, his flame will burn bright through his songs and the work he did in helping others come to the fore. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Kim, his son and daughter, Dylan and Jodi, and his family and friends.
I'll leave the last word to a fellow Scot-Canadian who knew Bruce well.... from the social media page of David Francey, "Sad day. That’s Bruce Guthro away. The world’s a bit darker for his passing, but he brought a lot of light to a lot of people. Me included. It’s still shining.
On you go Bruce. Thanks for the friendship, thanks for the visit."
Rest In Peace Bruce Guthro 1961 - 2023.
This very special version of the Runrig song "Every River" was broadcast on the Danish radio station "P4". It features Runrig's lead singer Bruce Guthro with his solo band accompanied by a 42-piece symphony orchestra.