Stompin’ Tom Connors helped plan his own public memorial

TORONTO – Stompin’ Tom Connors spent about two weeks before his death arranging the public memorial that will be held in his honour on Wednesday.

The black-hatted Canadian music icon died of natural causes last week at age 77.

Though he declined to reveal specific names expected at the ceremony, spokesperson Brian Edwards said the evening event will be a mix of live music, video clips, family photos and remembrances of Connors delivered by close friends, musical peers and government officials.

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The event will be held at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, a hockey arena that will have a capacity of roughly 3,800 for the memorial, Edwards said.

Peterborough, Ont., is the same place where Connors received his “Stompin’ Tom” moniker way back in 1967 during a gig at the King George Hotel.

Because he knew the end was near, Connors was able to specify exact plans for the memorial, says Edwards, and he was sure he wanted a public celebration.

“Oh, nobody knew exactly what he wanted more than he did, and that’s typical Tom, through and through,” Edwards said Monday in a telephone interview.

“I mean, nobody would expect anything less. Right down to some things that will happen there on Wednesday night, he’s written all over it – there’s no doubt about it.”

A private memorial for Connors will be held Tuesday, Edwards confirmed.