Upon the news of his sudden death on Thursday, tributes to Canadian music titan Deane Cameron flooded social-media platforms. From rock bands Nickelback and Rush, from Alberta-raised country artist Terri Clark and from longtime friend and former bandmate Tom Cochrane, testimonials were made on behalf of the former president of EMI Music Canada and a determined, effective and cheerful champion of his country’s homegrown music scene.
Cameron’s road in the music business began as a teen warehouse clerk at EMI and as a drummer in the band Harvest, with Cochrane. He went on to become, in 1988, the youngest Canadian president of a major music label. He held that top position at EMI until he resigned in 2012.Since 2015, Cameron had served as president and CEO of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.
“He was a true believer in the potential of Canadian music and its artists,” tweeted singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. “Big shoes to fill.” As an advocate of the arts and culture of Indigenous communities, Cameron’s support of such artists as Buffy Sainte-Marie and Susan Aglukark predated by decades the current Indigenous music renaissance.As noted by the band Rush, at the time of his death Cameron was overseeing the renovation of one of Canada’s most historic music venues.
GlobeArts Thanks BWheelerglobe for this lovely story on Deane.