Myles Goodwyn has sadly announced an end to touring due to health concerns with his final shows to come in March. It’s been a long road – over 50 years – for the April Wine frontman, who is the last man standing from the original lineup of the iconic Halifax band, which rivalled the likes of BTO, Rush and Triumph during its 1970s heyday.

With countless hit songs like “Just Between You and Me,” “Sign of the Gypsy Queen,” and “You Could Have Been a Lady,” I remember my buddies’ high school band belting out “Oowatanite” right along with “Stairway to Heaven” – the ultimate tribute.

But first was “Bad Side of the Moon” – an Elton John/Bernie Taupin song that April Wine recorded in 1972, giving life to a tune that never did rate for the more famous duo.

And of course, there was the legendary El Mocambo “smoke screen” concert in Toronto in 1977 when fans who went to see the band, and their “opening act” The Cockroaches, were treated to a surprise Rolling Stones rehearsal for the band’s upcoming tour instead at the iconic Spadina Ave. venue. The concerts resulted in live albums from both bands.

Over the years, April Wine sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and was conducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. We’ll remember Myles, who says he will stay active with the 2nd/3rd/4th gen band, just not onstage – but it won’t be the same.

Here’s a brilliant, seemless medley of “Coming’ Right Down On Top of Me” and “Rock ‘N Roll is a Vicious Game.”