StFX Mourns Godfather of Celtic Music

StFX is mourning the passing of legendary Celtic entertainer and Xaverian John Allan Cameron today following a lengthy battle with cancer.

The 67-year-old, originally from Mabou NS, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from StFX in 1966, and an honourary degree last year in recognition for his tireless promotion of Celtic music.

Often called the godfather of Celtic music in Canada, Cameron first made a name for himself playing strathspeys, reels and jigs on the guitar, rather than the traditional fiddle or bagpipes, on CBC’s Don Messer Show and Singalong Jubilee. He would go on to star in his own television series, grace the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, perform in Las Vegas, and gain international acclaim for his charismatic live shows.

Reflecting on Cameron’s career, StFX Celtic Studies Department Chair Ken Nilsen said he had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions and considered him to be a driving force behind the popularization of Celtic music.

“He deserves to be remembered as someone who introduced Celtic music to much of North America,” he said Wednesday. “He played Scottish tunes on guitar, he took the old Gaelic songs and gave them a nice sound and, in doing so, he really became a forerunner of groups like The Rankin Family and the Barra MacNeils.”

After a diagnosis of leukemia and bone marrow cancer five years ago, Cameron’s ailing health prevented him from attending StFX’s Fall Convocation 2005, where his brother accepted an honourary degree on his behalf. He was also the recipient of the Order of Canada for his lifetime contribution to the arts.    

Cameron is survived by his wife Angela and son Stuart.