Members of the local music scene are expressing their sorrow at the sudden loss of one of their own as they learn of the passing of blues-rock musician John McGale, known for his decades-long involvement with the Montreal-based Francophone group Offenbach.
McGale was critically injured in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday in Lacolle, Que., approximately 60 kilometres south of Montreal. McGale, the sole occupant, later perished from his injuries, according to the Surete du Quebec. In a twist of fate, McGale died on his 66th birthday. No details of a memorial service have been released.
"Heartbroken and beyond devastated," said friend Ted Chase via Facebook. Chase further paid tribute to McGale, saying he was "one of the sweetest, most talented people I've ever met. RIP, John."
McGale, a talented singer and musician who played guitar, saxophone, and flute, was enshrined in the North Bay Musicians & Entertainers Hall of Recognition in 2017. According to the Hall of Recognition, he joined Offenbach in 1978, first as a guitarist, later adding composer to his repertoire. The band toured Canada and Europe and Offenbach sold out the Montreal Forum, becoming the first Quebec-based headliners to do so. Three tours in the Canadian Armed Forces led McGale to perform in Canada and in various war-torn countries.
See McGale perform in the video below with Peter Cliche, the late Jim Harney, and Rob Joanisse at Cecil's.
Fellow musician and friend John MacDonald shared another video of a favourite McGale performance, accompanied by: "We'll keep the porch light on for you Johnny. The music world just lost a guiding star."
