John Mann (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Mann
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Mann playing with Spirit of the West in 2010
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| Born | September 18, 1962 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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| Died | November 20, 2019 (aged 57) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1980s–2016 |
| Known for | Spirit of the West |
| Style | Folk rock |
| Spouse(s) | Jill Daum |
| Children | 2 |
John Fraser Mann (born September 18, 1962 – died November 20, 2019) was a talented Canadian musician, songwriter, and actor. He was most famous as the lead singer of the folk rock band Spirit of the West.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
John Mann was born in Calgary, Alberta. He later moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. There, he studied acting at a place called Studio 58. In 1983, he left his studies to help start the band Spirit of the West. Their first album came out just one year later.
Music Career Highlights
John Mann was the lead singer and a co-founder of the folk rock band Spirit of the West. He also helped write many of their songs with his bandmate Geoffrey Kelly.
Spirit of the West's music mixed folk, Alternative rock, and pop sounds. They also had a strong Celtic influence. The band became much more popular in 1990 with their album Save This House. This album included their most famous song, "Home for a Rest".
The Song "Home for a Rest"
"Home for a Rest" was co-written by John Mann. This song became incredibly popular in Canada. Many people called it "legendary" and a "Canadian anthem" for celebrations. It was even listed as one of the "Ten best drinking songs of all time" by the Canwest News Service in 2010. The National Post also ranked it among the "Top 100 Canadian Singles."
Later Music Work
John Mann also played lead guitar for Spirit of the West. He continued until 2013, when he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Another musician, Matthew Harder, then joined the band as the new guitarist.
In 2015, Spirit of the West planned a special tour looking back at their music. Around that time, John Mann performed a concert with his own songs and Spirit of the West tunes. This concert was shown on CBC Television in July 2015. It was called "John Mann Here and Now."
Solo Albums
John Mann also released three solo albums:
- Acoustic Kitty (2002)
- December Looms (2007)
- The Waiting Room (2014)
His album The Waiting Room was about his experience battling cancer. It was even turned into a play in Vancouver in 2015. John Mann performed the songs from the album as part of the show.
John Mann also appeared as a guest musician on albums by other artists. These included Mae Moore, The Waltons, James Keelaghan, and Paul Hyde.
Acting Career
John Mann studied acting in Vancouver before joining Spirit of the West. He returned to acting in 1998. A friend helped him get an audition for the TV show Millennium. He appeared in an episode in 1999.
Television Roles
After that, John Mann appeared as a guest actor on many TV shows. Some of these included:
- Cold Squad
- Dark Angel
- Stargate SG-1
- Battlestar Galactica
- Smallville
- Da Vinci's Inquest
He also played characters who appeared in several episodes on shows like Whistler, Haunted, Blood Ties, and Intelligence.
Film Roles
In 2001, John Mann played two different characters in the film Turbulence 3: Heavy Metal. He also had smaller roles in other movies, such as:
- The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
- Reefer Madness (2005)
- Underworld: Evolution (2006)
- The Tall Man (2012)
Theatre Performances
John Mann also performed in many plays. Some of his theatre roles included:
- Of Mice and Men
- The Three Penny Opera
- Joni Mitchell: River
- Miss Saigon, for which he was nominated for an award for Best Actor.
In 2010, he starred in a musical called Beyond Eden.
Personal Life
John Mann was married to actress and playwright Jill Daum. They had two children, a son named Harlan and a daughter named Hattie. Their children use the last name Daumann. Harlan Daumann is also a musician. One of his songs was recorded by John Mann on his solo album December Looms.
Health Challenges and Legacy
In 2009, John Mann was diagnosed with cancer. He recovered fully by 2011.
In September 2014, John Mann shared that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This is a condition that affects memory and thinking. He had noticed memory problems as far back as 2001. His wife, Jill Daum, said that his earlier battle with cancer might have played a part in his condition.
Even after his diagnosis, John Mann wanted to keep performing. The band Spirit of the West announced their final concert in April 2016. John Mann continued to do smaller solo shows sometimes.
A documentary film called Spirit Unforgettable was made in 2015. It showed John Mann dealing with Alzheimer's and preparing for a big concert. The film was shown at festivals and on HBO Canada. John Mann even wrote new songs after his diagnosis.
Friends and fellow musicians held special benefit concerts to support John Mann and raise money for Alzheimer's research. These concerts featured many famous Canadian artists performing Spirit of the West songs.
In 2018, a brewing company in Vancouver created a special beer called "The Spirit Lifter." Sales from this beer helped raise money for John Mann's medical care.
John Mann passed away in Vancouver on November 20, 2019, at the age of 57. He is remembered for his incredible music and acting, and for his bravery in facing his health challenges.
Discography
- Acoustic Kitty (2002)
- December Looms (2007)
- The Waiting Room (2014)
