MacNeil, who lent her musical talents to the feminist cause before turning to music full-time, was among dozens of women from across the country who came under Mountie scrutiny, new research reveals. "She's the one who composes and sings women's lib songs," says the RCMP memo, portions of which remain secret. Exactly what she wanted is what she got,” he said.Įdwards said he was blown away by Nova Scotia’s response to her passing and the outpour of support he saw.Singer Rita MacNeil was among dozens of women from across the country who came under RCMP scrutiny, new research reveals.Īn undercover source reporting on a March 1972 gathering of women's liberation groups in Winnipeg compiled biographical sketches of several delegates, noting MacNeil was in attendance representing the Toronto Women's Caucus. She wanted her service to conclude with a cash bar at the local fire hall and that her ashes be scattered around the Big Pond property where her tea room sits.Īnd that’s just what she got, Edwards said. MacNeil left her family detailed instructions about the funeral including her wish to be cremated and her ashes placed inside a tea pot “or two” should that be required, she wrote. MacNeil’s funeral was a more subdued, quiet affair, characteristic of her personality, Edwards said. Connor’s Peterborough memorial, which at times took on the feeling of a national party, Ms. “Of course, as soon as she walked on the stage, it wouldn’t take five minutes and she’d be right in her element.” or we were working a 5,000-seat auditorium at Casino Rama, the same nervous energy came across every night,” he said. “Whether we were working a 500-seat theatre in Blyth, Ont. MacNeil, who suffered from severe shyness, tended to go through pre-show pangs worrying about how she would be received, Edwards said. She was just that type of person,” he said. That carried on through our business relationship and right through to the fans. “I certainly remember her as a very honest and sincere and a very caring person. MacNeil were touring North America together racking up 425 shows over the years. MacNeil in 1992 when he promoted her Peterborough show. The 68-year-old singer died last week following complications from surgery after a recurring infection.Įdwards first began working with Ms. “I was just starting to wind down from Tom’s memorial and they called me and told me Rita was in the hospital and they were not expecting her to do very well.” It’s overwhelming,” said Edwards from his Rocklands Entertainment office in Peterborough. “I’m afraid to take time to reflect at the moment. He spent last weekend out east, attending the Cape Breton singer-songwriter’s funeral service Monday afternoon at a church in her Nova Scotia hometown of Big Pond. The local music promoter barely had time to reflect on the national memorial for his friend Stompin' Tom Connors, which Edwards organized in Peterborough last month, when he was told Rita MacNeil was at death’s door. While Canada has lost two music icons in as many months, Peterborough’s Brian Edwards has lost two longtime friends.
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