Canadian Folk musician and icon Ian Tyson dead at 89

Question

Ian Tyson, the legendary Canadian folk musician behind the classic “Four Strong Winds,” has died at 89.

“Four Strong Winds” has been covered by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, and many more. Neil Young recorded a version of it on his 1978 album, Comes a Time, and later the same year on The Band’s documentary concert film, The Last Waltz.

Listen to Four Strong Winds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC50XxmgDCg

Answer 1

Thank you for sharing that version of the song. Here is the version I remember. Ian Tyson recorded this with his ex-wife Sylvia Tyson. It was a huge hit in 1964.

Canadian Junior High teachers for the next twenty years made sure that their students learned the words to this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfTDPhMdTk.

Answer 2

Sad news, I love Ian and Sylvia.  Only ever saw Sylvia on stage by herself.

Answer 3

Haven't been able to connect him yet, but I've set up a profile & started a tree for Ian here.

Answer 4

Ian and Sylvia -  loved their music growing up. Had the pleasure of socializing with them once, after a show at our school in the early 70's. He was a lovely gentleman, with time for everyone.

Answer 5

Many years ago while attending school in Germany I saw Four Strong Winds in a school music textbook. It was attributed as “Traditional” which struck me then and still now as incorrectly apropos. Ian Tyson’s song will resonate with us forever. What a song! What an entertainer!