Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tribute

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Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tribute
Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tribute

Canadian singer Bruce Guthro has died at the age of 62, his heartbroken former bandmate has confirmed. The late star was best known for his work as the lead singer in the Scottish rock band Runrig.

"So, so sad to hear of the untimely death of my friend and former band mate Bruce Guthro. He was just the nicest person you could ever hope to meet and a joy to perform with. An exceptional singer, musician and song writer taken far too soon. We are going to miss him. RIP," Pete Wishart said as he announced the death of his former bandmate and friend on Twitter this evening.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme, Pete - who played keyboard for Runrig before becoming an SNP MP - added how everyone in the band was heartbroken. "We've lost a friend, but we will never to hear this wonderful voice singing voice live again," he told the radio station.

Bruce, who was from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, first teamed up with Runrig in 1998 and performed with the popular Scottish band for two decades before the group went on hiatus in 2018. The late singer's death comes just two months on from him revealing he was battling a serious illness.

Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tribute qhiqquiqzxixxinvTributes are pouring in for Bruce Guthro following his death at the age of 62 (Redferns)

The late musician, who is survived by his wife Kim Guthro, has received a wave of tributes online following news of his death breaking, with one friend tweeting: "So sad today to hear that my friend of over 25 years Bruce Guthro has passed away. He was an absolute gentleman, an incredibly gifted singer and a true friend Sending love and condolences to Kim and the family and to everyone in the @Runrig1973 family Rest well buddy x."

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Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tributeTributes are pouring in for the late musician (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

"Waking up to the sad news of the loss of a great friend and musical colleague, Bruce Guthro. Gone far too soon. F*** cancer..." another penned when remembering the late star on Twitter (aka X), as a third added: "Shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Bruce Guthro. An incredible singer/songwriter. I’ll never forget seeing him play Falling for the first time. He toured the world with Runrig and used each stop to be an ambassador for Cape Breton. He dearly loved his family. RIP."

Bruce, who stopped performing in July this year due to health issues, enjoyed an award-winning career over the course of 40 years in the music industry, with the late star performing as both a solo artist and has part of Runrig. Bruce joined the Scottish group in 1998 - replacing Donnie Munro as lead vocalist.

Legendary rock frontman dies aged 62 as heartbroken bandmate pays tributeBruce is survived by his wife and their two children (Redferns)

Paying tribute to Bruce today, SNP MP and former Runrig keyboardist Pete recalled how the group almost "gave up" looking for a new lead singer before Bruce tried out at an audition. He recalled: "Bruce came in that day when Scotland were playing Brazil in the 1998 World Cup and we had half an eye on the football and half an eye on Bruce. When Bruce sang we turned around almost with our jaws hitting the ground with the quality of Bruce's voice."

Away from music, Bruce was married to his beloved wife Kim and the happy couple shared son Dylan and a daughter together. Paying tribute to his wife on her birthday earlier this year, Bruce shared a sweet snap of himself and Kim on Instagram and penned: "Happy birthday to this beauty. I can’t imagine life without her. Love you Kimmie G … You are my rock … and the sweetest soul I’ve ever known.

Zoe Delaney

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