The beloved decades-old band Spirit of the West announced on their website that their lead singer, John Mann, has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Spirit of the West, who came about 31 years ago, was founded by their lead singer and front Mann, who they say “has been silently dealing with his diagnosis… John, his family, and all of us had concerns but were hopeful that there was some other cause for his problems. Although we may never know what triggered John’s condition, it seems safe to conclude that his battle with cancer in 2010 was a contributor.”
The statement went on to explain that “John and his wife Jill’s wish to make this announcement, at this time, in this venue, so that he can more honestly and openly go through life facing what to him is simply the ‘new normal’ of his existence. His diagnosis, while not a secret, has been kept low key and confidential between friends and family in the hope that he and his loved ones might have time to come to grips with ramifications, outcomes and eventualities.”
The band was formed in 1983 as a trio of acoustic guitar, flutes and bouzouki – today they feature six musicians and dozens of instrument changes. With 13 albums to their credit (five of them gold and three platinum) and a history of extensive touring throughout the western world, as well as the authorship of a drinking song (”Home For a Rest”), so well known and loved that it is often called ‘Canada’s unofficial national anthem’, Spirit of the West is a fixture in Canadian music.
Photo: Spirit of the West
