Stompin’ Tom Connors
Stompin' Tom Connors was a Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter, known for his prolific and well-known music career.
Folk Singer
February 9, 1936
March 06, 2013
77
Stompin’ Tom Connors, a renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and folk musician, was born on February 9, 1936, in Saint John, New Brunswick, and passed away on March 6, 2013. He gained fame for his patriotic and traditional music that celebrated Canada’s working-class culture. Some of his most famous songs include “Bud the Spud,” “The Hockey Song,” “Margo’s Cargo,” “Sudbury Saturday Night,” and “Red River Jane.” Throughout his career, Connors received numerous Juno Awards and was a member of the Order of Canada. He was also inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Folk Music Walk of Fame.
Stompin’ Tom earned his nickname due to his habit of loudly stomping the heel of his left foot on the wooden stage during performances, which helped him keep rhythm for himself and his band. In the early 1970s, he grew frustrated with the music industry’s practices and decided to establish his own label, Boot Records. This move allowed him to maintain full creative control over his music and release it on his terms. Boot Records became successful, and several other Canadian artists signed with the label.
“The Hockey Song” is Connors’ most popular song, with over 24.4K page views. He was known for his strong independence and refusal to conform to industry norms. In 2000, the University of Toronto awarded him an honorary doctor of law degree. Stompin’ Tom Connors remains a lasting legacy as one of Canada’s most prolific and well-known country and folk singers.