Information/Write-up
There was controversy when it came to the third centennial song composed by bandleader Bobby Gimby, the man behind the popular Ca-Na-Da Canadian centennial song.
News broke in April 1970, just before the recording of Manitoba, that the Manitoba Centennial Corporation has also hired Bobby Gimby to write a Manitoba centennial song, a deal which had apparently been struck in the autumn of 1969.
What was controversial, and not supposed to be released, was what the song would cost. Gimby was to receive $4,500 for the song and another $17,500 to go on a province-wide tour that summer. The amount caught people off guard considering there was already a centennial song and a centennial musical caravan that would be touring the province in the summer. Some also felt that having a Torontonian write the song and record it in Toronto didn't sit right.
The 7-inch special release would have two versions. The "A" side would be the rock version and the "B"side by a choir of children. Gimby came to Manitoba in May 1970 to do auditions.
The children, (S. Lanyon, D. Adams, A Beckman, A Leydier, P. Drummond, S Harrison, C McNabb and C Barstead), and band, Sugar N Spice, were flown to Toronto at the Centennial Corporation's expense to do the recording.
Gimby's 30-site tour kicked off on June 15, 1970 at Lord Roberts School. The bandleader was dressed in his trademark Pied Piper costume and led schoolchildren through a series of songs, including teaching them the lyrics to his. The tour wrapped up July 5 in Portage la Prairie.
There were 10,000 copies of the record cut and they were sold for $1 each.
It is hard to gauge the popularity of the songs. They were all sung at numerous public events and concerts that took place that year. None, though, achieved the staying power of Moody Manitoba Morning, the song that became the unofficial anthem of the centennial.
Arranged by Ben McPeek
Words and music by Bobby Gimby
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