Stompin’ Tom Connors
1936-2013

Canadian country-folk singer Stompin’ Tom Connors passed away at the age of 77 on Wednesday, March 6th. Best known for his emblematic black cowboy hat and the rhythmic foot stompin’ that earned him his nickname, Tom Connors knew how to get people on their feet. Nowhere was this truer than with his tribute piece “The Hockey Song,” which became an anthem for Canada’s national pastime.

Charles Thomas Connors was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, on February 9th, 1936. He began his musical career in the 1960s, and went on to see strong national success with Canadian hits “Bud the Spud,” “The Consumer Song”, “Sudbury Saturday Night” and his aforementioned NHL anthem. Many of his songs frequently delved into important historical events from Canada’s history. He went on to record 61 albums on a number of labels, with many re-issued in Canada on Capitol / EMI.

It was Tom’s habit of stomping the heel of his left boot to keep rhythm above the din of bar audiences earned him his nickname. The first time it was used was at a celebration of Canada’s Centennial (on July 1, 1967), when Boyd MacDonald, a waiter at the King George Tavern in Peterborough, Ontario, used it to introduce Connor’s performance that evening. Tom was so taken by the audience reaction to the nickname, that he went out and formally registered the name “Stompin’ Tom” that next week.

And no one should ever question his unflagging patriotic fervor for his beloved Canada. Notably he returned six JUNO awards he received in the 1970s, with a letter to the board of the awards protesting artists who were being recognized despite living and working outside of Canada (who he referred to in the letter as “border jumpers”).

Tom mostly retired in the late-1970s, but returned to performing and recording in late 1980s. He wrote two autobiographies, covering his early life and his life as a musician, respectively. True to his patriotic spirit, Connors’ posted on his website that Canada kept him “inspired with its beauty, character, and spirit,” just a few days prior to his passing.

Tom Connors died of natural causes in his home in Ballinafad, about 80 kilometers north of Toronto. He was a father of four, had several grandchildren, and was married to Lena Connors. Talks of a memorial in his honor at the Peterborough Memorial Centre near his hometown have already begun.