After 32 years, Spirit of the West is finally home for a rest.
The popular West Coast band is set to perform for a final time Saturday night at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom.
The iconic B.C. band — which is wrapping up its farewell tour with three dates in Vancouver — is calling it a day as exuberant frontman, John Mann, battles early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
WATCH: A look at some of Mann’s performances over the years, recorded on Global
Ahead of the band’s penultimate show on Friday night, fans outside the Commodore Ballroom were equal parts excited and emotional.
“They’re such a special band,” fan Jilda Lazar said as she fought back tears. “They’re such an important part of Canada. They’re such an important part of our generation.”
Fans and fellow musicians say Spirit of the West’s legacy is one young Canadian artists should aspire to. Musician Colin James, who was at Friday’s show, said the band will be remembered for “great writing, great songs.”
“They had super-rousing memorable titles, all couched and surrounded in this beautiful, traditional flute playing and mandolin playing,” James said. “Wonderful band.”
– With files from Nadia Stewart