VANCE JEROLD MASTERS
August 14, 1945 - June 22, 2023
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts
that we announce the passing of our
beloved husband, father, and grandfather,
Vance Jerold Masters, with his family by
his side, on June 22, 2023 at Grace
Hospital, at the age of 77 years. He
is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50
years, Beverley, daughter Krista, son
Vance Jr, grandson Liam, sister Arlene
Travis Patera (of Florida), nephew Gord
Travis (of Vancouver) and niece
Allison Smith (Steve) (of
Washington). Vance was predeceased
by his father Paul Schmidt, his mother
Ina, and his stepfather, Clarence Masters.
Musician, songwriter, producer. In
the course of a career spanning over 6
decades, he performed with some of the top
entertainers in the world. One of
Canada's premier drummers, Vance played an
integral role in the development of the
local and international music industry.
As a child, he was influenced by the
sounds of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey,
Gene Krupa, and Louis Bellson emanating
from the family radio. A classically
trained percussionist, Vance began his
professional career in 1963 with The
Crescendos, touring Britain and Europe.
Returning to Canada in 1966, he re-entered
the local music scene with London Records
recording artists, The Fifth. It was
in this band that Vance re-connected with
Kurt Winter - a relationship that
continued until Kurt's death in
1997. The two would go on to form
the short-lived, but now legendary,
Brother, with Bill Wallace on bass.
Together, the trio wrote several songs
recorded by The Guess Who. The band
was also responsible for organizing
Manitoba's first outdoor festival, The
Niverville Pop Festival.
So, so many groups over the years … The
Fruit Eating Bears (with Joey Molland of
Badfinger fame), The 5 AM Event, Dianne
Heatherington and The Merry-Go- Round,
Alan Schick, Papa Pluto, St. Silver, The
Jim Kale Band, Wayne Walker, Burton
Cummings, The Guess Who, Pat Riordan,
Trigger Brothers, Twister, Guns 4 Hire,
The Don McDougall Band, Yogi &
Friends, The Walsh Twins, Sassy Jack and
more.
Vance frequently played on benefits and
fundraisers such as the Variety Club, the
Jerry Lewis Telethon, The Museum of Man
& Nature's Get Back show, Another Teen
Dance Party. Numerous books by
multiple authors, including a brand new
one that is due for release September
2023, chronicle almost every aspect of his
career.
Vance retired in 2016, when the
progression of Multiple Sclerosis finally
made it impossible to continue the career
that brought him such happiness.
Vance's artwork and music filled our
home. And yet to Vance, his greatest
accomplishment was his family. He
took tremendous pride in the achievements
of Krista and Vance Jr., and loved
spending time with his grandson,
Liam. He had a special affinity for
all animals and could always gain the
trust of even the most people-adverse
creatures.
To Vance's friends, your numbers are far
too many to list all here. Know that
he loved and treasured each one of you.
We express our deepest thanks to the
doctors, nurses, and health care aides
from the Intensive Care Unit at the Grace
Hospital for the care and compassion
provided to Vance and the family through
his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of
Canada - Manitoba Chapter.
Photo
tribute on YOUTUBE
Vance's WEBSITE
As
published at Dignity Memorial June 25,
2023
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