Spirit Unforgettable
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- Опубликовано: 28 мар 2023
- A film I directed and produced (with Bell Media, Echo Storytelling Agency, Cynde Harmon and Project 10) about the lead singer of the great Canadian band Spirit of the West, the beautiful John Mann, and his courageous, inspiring battle against early onset Alzheimer's and the band's history and final year of performances. So grateful for everyone involved. Dementia in all forms is horrific and we remain impotent against this heinous disease (except for the power of love). Here's to all that suffer from it, and all who suffer in the caretaking of those with it. John and his wife Jill and the band taught me so much about grace and courage.
The film won VIFFs most popular documentary in 2016 and a Hot Docs audience award as well. I should have done more with the film but I was exhausted afterwards, and a little heartbroken. 
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My wife and i went to see Spirit of the West some 25 years ago at the Huron County Playhouse in Grand Bend. We, and our two young children, Chet, and Keirstyn, they were 12, and 10 respectively. The band was fantastic, and my daughter Keirstyn was over the moon about seeing them. With all due respect to these highly accomplished musicians in this band, it was John Mann who was incredibly artistic on stage while playing their heart felt songs for this particular show. This had an impact on my daughter that makes me appreciate John in a humanitarian way to this very day. This beautiful human being at the end of the show was outside with the rest of his band mates, and my daughter was taken by John, and went to ask him for an autograph. Well, John not only gave Keirstyn an autograph, he talked with her for over ten minutes, or so. We were the last ones there, and i was at a distance, thinking we should get going because it was late, i called to my daughter it is time to go. John looked in my direction, and surprisingly waved to me, sort of signaling its OK Dad. What i heard from John as my daughter came to leave with us, happy to have not just an autograph, but a conversation as well, John with the sweetest voice said goodbye "Keirstyn" thanks for coming. As i am writing this anecdotal story, i am crying because, it was there, in that moment in time i realized what humility this beautiful person showed to my daughter. Our family has always loved The Spirit of the West, but we love John Mann for who he was, a kind and generous soul. Thank-you John, we love you, and miss you. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for posting this ❤.
I live in Buffalo NY and EVERY time they were here from 1986 till the end 😢 I was there still have a signed sexy postcard they gave out at shows along with many conversations about Vancouver . Have many signed CDS I treasure. Way under rated band!! Miss them😢❤😢❤
Smiling through the tears... Thank you for this, Pete McCormack. I am a Canadian living in Iceland and it means the world to me to be able to access and view this on youtube. What a wonderful Canadian, artist and human being we all were able to share and enjoy(though for all too short a time) through his incredible music, art, talent and yes, courage. R.I.P John Mann, dear sir. R.I.P and thank you for the being a massive part of the soundtrack to my life.
John was a great one: great fella, great talent. Thanks for the kind words. Share it if you feel it. All the best.
I am so happy I found this doc - Thank you Pete for putting together such an important film on a sensitive subject. I grew up listening to Spirit of the West because my parents loved them. I saw them in Victoria in 2015 (I was only 14 at the time!). I feel so special that I was able to see them, and John, what an incredible voice and soul he has. Knowing his story better after watching this is a beautiful gift
Brought back fond, albeit fuzzy, memories - kind thanks
John & Spirit of the West brought so much fun and happiness to my friends and I. And Influenced us and countless Canadian musicians of our time.
This brought back so many great memories.
But also ripped my heart out for John and his family. So unfair. Thank you for making this deeply touching film.
Thank you for those kind words. John and Spirit really were happiness bringers.
Thank you so much for sharing this for all on RUclips Pete! What a beautiful film.
Thanks, Dave. John was a beautiful guy and I sure miss him. Hope you and the family are great. Big hugs.
The small but important scene discussing The Only Child got me. I would love to find that album or listen to the song in its entirety. However, trying to find it has been tough.
This is a documentary that everyone should watch. Dementia has hit my family hard as well and I've seen first hand what it does not just to the person affected, but those around them watching them lose themselves to a disease that does not discriminate.
Wow, just caught up with this. Thanks you so much for sharing, down here in NZ there was no way to see this and I’ve been a fan since falling in love with the band so many years ago…
Beautiful story, well told. Such a sad loss
Thanks, Paul. Nice to know fans in NZ are listening and remembering. Here's to the late, great John Mann and here's to you!
Such a beautiful man.... such a touching film. Thank you for posting....
Yes, indeed. He sure was. Thanks, David. Glad the film reached you. Here's to John and his mates.
Often there is more that could have been done .. what you have done is enough. Thank you Pete McCormack for giving a Canadian down under a glimpse of the heartbreaking, terrifying and beautiful human that is John Mann. The spirit will live on. Be well and be blessed.
Thanks for those sweet words. John and the whole band are immensely lovely. John's talent was so inspiring.
Thank you so very much for posting this documentary. I've been trying to find it on pretty much every streaming service for the past 2 or 3 years. I'm a fan of John Mann's songwriting, and to see him struggle with his own songs is heartbreaking.
I am so happy to see this film available for the masses. Kudos, Pete, for making this film in the first place, and making it readily available for those who want to learn more about Canadian music history - and, for that matter, about a genuinely wonderful and altruistic man who died far too early.
I live in Illinois - Chicago now, but far western Illinois in 2016 when I went to a late fall film festival in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. This was a four-week road trip, and I totally fell in love with that small university town. Some tears were definitely shed during my viewing, and I wasn't the only one. I have since visited Antigonish again in 2018, and I hope to do so this year!
I used to listen to Night Lines, an overnight weekend radio show on Radio One, hosted by David Wisdom, in the late 1980s, via a backyard satellite dish. I was introduced to "An Honest Gamble" on that show, but I didn't know how to find SotW material, but I did dub that song to one of my cherished music-mix audio cassettes.
I never could have realized there was such a poignant story behind the music of this great band, and I finally did figure out how to find more SotW songs (CD format) in the middle 00's, before RUclips really got going.
Thank you for sharing something so marvelous and heartfelt.
Thanks for the kind message, Frank, the history and the celebration of the magic of SOTW's brilliant music. I loved those guys - they even plaed on some of my stuff back in the day. I miss John and his artistry all the time. Wishing you all the best, Pete
Beautiful memories of a truly beautiful human.
Thanks, Kathi. I loved that fella, and his beautiful talent and laugh.
I introduced them to my father in law back in the 80’s and he was instantly hooked. You’ve touched us again. Thank you my old friend 😊
You gotta love a band that brings you closer to your father-in-law! I mean, that is a kind of miracle. xo
Thanks so much for posting this!! I had purchased a copy years back but can’t remember where I stored it and on which laptop! I have Early Onset Vascular Dementia. Your documentary was my first starting point in learning about dementia and my Dementia Train Journey! Thanks so very much, Bill
Dear Bill, thank you so much for your comment. The thought that the film may have aided you in anyway is very generous of you. I truly wish you all the love and strength and then more love and more strength on your journey. Pete
Beautiful but painful to watch. I only saw SotW twice but they were incredible.
Beautiful and painful is the truth. They were incredible. Feel free to share.
Thank you so much for making this available, Pete. Such an uplifting, while at the same time devastating story that needed to be told. We miss you John. ❤️
I sure miss him, too. Thanks, John. Feel free to share it!
I’ve been a fan for decades. I cherished seeing him so much when he came to my city. Thank you for this heartwarming video. He will be truly missed. ❤
Yeah, John sure is missed. Thanks for the kind words. Feel free to share to anyone you think might want to see it. All the best.
You’re so welcome. ❤
Amazing!!! Beautiful memories of Spirit of The West. Thank you!
xox the saddnes
Thanks so much for putting this up. Growing up in Detroit I was lucky to be exposed to them via 89x radio. So wish I could have seen them live
My pleasure, Kevin. Glad you can see them "live" a little here. They were a great band, and John was a super charismatic front man (and a sweetheart).
Such an awesome documentary of SotW. Wow, really wish more of my USA friends knew about this stellar band!
Pete, an amazing documentary-thanks for doing this -Rob
Thanks, Rob, it was an honour to make that film. I love those guys, and I love the band.
@@PeteMcCormack2 I remember years ago you came over to my house and set up all your gear to record my pipes
Not only do I remember that well, that song - Be Brave Tonight - is going up on Spotify very soon, with you leading it off..
Great documentary….sad, but great. Brings back memories of all their trips to play in Buffalo.
It's always cool to hear how popular they were south of Toronto, in Buffalo and all across that area. It always amazes me the fine line of songs/backing/funding/luck/touring that stops certain bands from being hyper-famous and others that get there. It's not sports. It's a lot more subjective and subject to the whims of opinion and money. Such a great band.
Thank you so much for making this available. It is heartbreaking, but also beautiful. SotW's concerts are the most energetic and fun of all concerts I have seen. I will always remember that. I was aware also of Vince's health issues, but was not aware of the other's. Man, they didn't have easy! It's not exactly the same, but now that my father suffers from Alzheimer's (he is now 80 years old), it was very emotional for me to watch. But I also had to watch it. Thank you!
I wish you the best with your dad. And Vince got a kidney, so he's doing well. But life and health is fragile, precious thing, as you know. All the best.
@@PeteMcCormack2 Thank you for your kind words, and I am so happy Vince finally got a kidney! Thanks again
@@vallaindigital I'm happy he got it too!
Thanks for this.
Beautiful job Pete!
Thanks, Col. It's a powerful story. Painful. This human journey...I hope to see you one of these days and see your smiling face! xoxo
Thank you.
Thank you. Please share it if there's anyone you think might want to see it.
Loved it. Thank you. ❤❤