The CABLE CONNECTION!

proudly presents ...

Mom's brother...our Uncle, Bobby Gimby

  • Born: 1919 in Cabri, Saskatchewan; d. June 19, 1998
    [Links]

    Trumpeteer, orchestra leader, arranger and music teacher Gimby gained public attention in Vancouver as a troupe member of CBC Radio's 'Happy Gang' throughout the 1940's and 1950's and soon moved to television on the 'Juliette' show (1958-1961).

    During a world tour he composed the song "Malaysia Forever" which would later be adopted by Malaysia as their National Anthem.

    Gimby wore a cape and played a decorated heraldic trumpet as he paraded around being followed by children who sang along to his songs. He soon gained the nickname "The Pied Piper Of Canada".

    It was Gimby's 1967 Centennial song "Canada" that gained him international recognition. The song would eventually be recorded by more than thirty other acts including The Sugar Shoppe who made it a hit all over again.

    The song was adopted by Tourism Canada but Gimby donated all the song's royalties to The Boy Scouts Of Canada. Ironically, a 1980's songwriters' lobby group used the song as a call-to-arms for better royalty rates and pointed out to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney that a song like "Canada" was only receiving one cent each time it was played -- the lowest rate in the world.

    Gimby won the Order Of Canada for his continual musical contribution to the Canadian identity. He would later lead a band at the Leisure World Retirement Home in North Bay, Ontario. Gimby died of natural causes in June 1998.



    Singles
    1967 Canada [with The Young Canada Singers]

    1970 Manitoba Hundred

    1971 Go British Columbia

    Bobby Gimby with the kids...the sheet music cover for his CANADA song




    THX baby...the audience is listening!.. this one's for you Cable!

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