Jerry Doucette — the award-winning guitarist and singer-songwriter known best for CanRock staple "Mama Let Him Play" — has died. Doucette died Monday (April 18) in British Columbia following a battle with cancer. He was 70.
CTV News Vancouver reports that per a family friend, Doucette passed away surrounded by family at Thomas Hospice in Delta, BC. He is is survived by his wife Maggie of 43 years, his five children and 10 grandchildren.
Born in Montreal, Doucette and his family moved to Hamilton, ON, when he was four years old, and he began playing guitar at age six. While in Hamilton, he played in a teen garage band called the Reefers. In 1972, he would head west to Vancouver, playing with local bands including Seeds of Time and the Rocket Norton Band ahead of signing a solo recording deal with independent label Mushroom Records.
Under his surname, Doucette and his band made their debut with 1977's Mama Let Him Play. The album achieved Platinum certification in Canada the following year. Its title track, with its memorable six-string and vocal harmonies, is still in rotation on Canadian classic rock radio.
In 1979, Doucette delivered follow-up The Douce is Loose, which would go on to be certified Gold in Canada. That same year, Doucette captured the Juno Award for Most Promising Group of the Year in 1979, beating out the likes of Max Webster and Streetheart.
Mushroom Records would cease operations in 1980, leaving Doucette to release 1981's Coming Up Roses on Rio Records. Fourth album Price of an Education would follow in 1995.
Doucette announced his retirement from music in 2018, citing health issues and a desire to spend more time with family. He wrote in a statement that year, "After being on the road and performing for over 50 years ... I'm hanging up my guitar for good."
"Thank you to my fellow band mates, my friends and most importantly my fans for all your support over the years — it's been an honour. Keep listening to Canadian artists and keep supporting live music venues — they're the lifeblood of our industry....Mama, let them play."
CTV News Vancouver reports that per a family friend, Doucette passed away surrounded by family at Thomas Hospice in Delta, BC. He is is survived by his wife Maggie of 43 years, his five children and 10 grandchildren.
Born in Montreal, Doucette and his family moved to Hamilton, ON, when he was four years old, and he began playing guitar at age six. While in Hamilton, he played in a teen garage band called the Reefers. In 1972, he would head west to Vancouver, playing with local bands including Seeds of Time and the Rocket Norton Band ahead of signing a solo recording deal with independent label Mushroom Records.
Under his surname, Doucette and his band made their debut with 1977's Mama Let Him Play. The album achieved Platinum certification in Canada the following year. Its title track, with its memorable six-string and vocal harmonies, is still in rotation on Canadian classic rock radio.
In 1979, Doucette delivered follow-up The Douce is Loose, which would go on to be certified Gold in Canada. That same year, Doucette captured the Juno Award for Most Promising Group of the Year in 1979, beating out the likes of Max Webster and Streetheart.
Mushroom Records would cease operations in 1980, leaving Doucette to release 1981's Coming Up Roses on Rio Records. Fourth album Price of an Education would follow in 1995.
Doucette announced his retirement from music in 2018, citing health issues and a desire to spend more time with family. He wrote in a statement that year, "After being on the road and performing for over 50 years ... I'm hanging up my guitar for good."
"Thank you to my fellow band mates, my friends and most importantly my fans for all your support over the years — it's been an honour. Keep listening to Canadian artists and keep supporting live music venues — they're the lifeblood of our industry....Mama, let them play."