Scott Smith (musician)
Donald Scott Smith (13 February 1955 – 30 November 2000) was a Canadian musician and the bassist for Canadian rock band Loverboy. The band are best known for their hit singles "Working for the Weekend" and "Turn Me Loose", although their U.S. Top Ten hits were "Lovin' Every Minute of It" in 1985 and "This Could Be the Night" in 1986. The band won six Juno Awards in 1982[1] and has sold over 23 million records.[2]
Scott Smith | |
---|---|
Birth name | Donald Scott Smith |
Born | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | 13 February 1955
Died | 30 November 2000 45) Off the coast of San Francisco | (aged
Genres | Rock, hard rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Bass guitar |
Associated acts | Loverboy |
Early life
Smith was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He originally studied guitar, and at the age of twelve moved to bass.
Career
Smith was majoring in English at the University of Manitoba when he received a call from Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean in Vancouver inviting him to replace bassist Jim Clench in the newly-formed band. In addition to playing bass for the band, Smith also co-wrote a few of the band's songs including the 1983 rock hit "Lucky Ones".
After Loverboy disbanded in 1988, Smith was part of the band Dangerous, along with Mike Reno and Brian MacLeod. He also worked as a late-night radio DJ at CFOX, albeit briefly.[1][3] Loverboy got back together for a benefit concert in 1991, and then reunited in 1993 and continued touring through the 1990s. Smith said in an interview, "We're back because we like to rock and simply because promoters want to book us."[4]
Death
On 30 November 2000, he was sailing his boat, the 11-metre (36-foot) Sea Major,[5] with two friends off the coast of San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge, when a large wave swept him overboard. Searches conducted by the Coast Guard and by a private company hired by friends and family were unsuccessful. Smith was pronounced missing presumed dead, lost at sea.[6][7]
Personal life
Smith lived in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and had two sons.[1][5]
Discography
with Loverboy
- Loverboy (1980)
- Get Lucky (1981)
- Keep It Up (1983)
- Lovin' Every Minute of It (1985)
- Wildside (1987)
- Six (1997)
References
- Downey, Donn (16 December 2000). "An icon of Canadian rock", The Globe and Mail, p. F8.
- (11 January 2001). "Loverboy holds auditions after loss of Scott Smith in boating mishap", The Canadian Press.
- (January–February 2001). "Remembering Scott Smith", Canadian Musician 23 (1): 15.
- Saxberg, Lynn (11 July 1996). "Vancouver's Loverboy proud of '80s sound", Ottawa Citizen, p. D8.
- Austin, Ian (4 December 2000). "Loverboy rocker traded his wild life for smooth sailing: Rogue wave swept away Scott Smith's new riff on life", The Province, p. A8.
- Uhelszki, Jaan (4 December 2000). "Loverboy Bassist Scott Smith Missing, Presumed Dead", Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- Talevski, Nick (2006). Knocking on Heaven's Door: Rock Obituaries. Omnibus Press. p. 603. ISBN 1846090911
External links
- Official Loverboy website
- Scott Smith at Find a Grave
- "Loverboy" Canadian Historical website