Myles Goodwyn: An amazing songwriter

Myles Goodwyn, lead singer of Canadian band April Win in the '80s.

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Although I did a retrospective a few weeks ago on April Wine, it took the death of their lead singer Myles Goodwyn a couple days ago for me to actually take the time to listen to their collected works.

I really cannot believe how much good music they put out over such a long period of time.

When Myles Goodwyn died, Canadian music lost one of the good ones.

In the beginning
Myles Goodwyn was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick in 1948. He helped form April Wine in 1969, and led the band from the start. He would also embark on a solo career.

Award winning
Goodwyn received a lot of accolades as an individual and as part of April Wine.

In 2002, he received the National Achievement Award at the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada awards.

In 2003, he received an East Coast Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award for his influence on the Atlantic Canadian music industry.

In 2010, Goodwyn and April Wine were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

In 2023, Goodwyn was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Wikipedia reveals Goodwyn felt this was his greatest achievement.

Also in 2023, Goodwyn, as part of April Wine, was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.

In 2016, his autobiography “Just Between You and Me” was published.

On Dec. 20, 2022, Goodwyn’s diabetes was affecting his health, forcing him to retire from touring with April Wine. He gave his final live performance with April Wine on March 2, 2023 in Truro, Nova Scotia.

He died on December 3, 2023.

Overall, April Wine sold more than 10 million albums, and were nominated for 11 Juno Awards.

Parting thoughts
So often the voice of the lead singer of a band is synonymous with the band.

There is no better example than Myles Goodwyn, who was a large part of the April Wine sound and, to me, the two are inseparable.

He was a talented song writer. He could make your heart melt with the songs he wrote because he knew exactly how to sing them.

In fact, the only April Wine album I own is “April Wine Rock Ballads”, which showcases exactly what I am talking about.

It is fitting that, before he died, not only was he inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, but he was able to enjoy the honour.

After all, he was an amazing songwriter.