How does one describe one’s own dementia? For Spirit of the West frontman John Mann, it’s a “numbing white fog” – or like a ‘white wall – an empty white wall, nothing else.’ Mann was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 51. A new documentary, Spirit Unforgettable, poignantly chronicles his struggle Read More …

With the early onset of Alzheimer’s at 52, John Mann, front man for Canadian Celtic rock band Spirit of the West, confronts the reality that he’s losing grasp of the poetic and political lyrics he shared with millions. With the support of his wife, he and his lifelong bandmates decide to give their fans a Read More …

After more than 30 years, Spirit of the West plays its final show on Saturday night at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom. The band – now consisting of John Mann, Geoff Kelly, Vince Ditrich, Hugh McMillan, Tobin Frank and Matthew Harder – is taking its final bows less than two years after Mann, 53, revealed that he Read More …

In September 2014, John Mann, 52, lead singer of Spirit of the West, revealed that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. ECHO’s Video Director, Pete McCormack, a longtime friend of the iconic Canadian Celtic rock band, immediately felt driven to try to capture the story of Spirit on the West on film, a Read More …

MARSHA LEDERMAN VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail Published Monday, Sep. 08, 2014 5:00AM EDT In the late summer air, the sweaty, bopping parents-and-kids crowd twirled and pogoed to this nation’s definitive party song, joining in as John Mann belted out perhaps the most sung-along-to lyric in Canadian music: “You’ll have to excuse me, I’m Read More …

Since the announcement that John Mann has Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease I have been asked hundreds of times, “What can I do to help?” For the first time since John began trudging down this extremely challenging path, I can finally answer, “There is something you can do”. John and his wife Jill have fought this Read More …

An unexpected journey through colorectal cancer delivered some equally unexpected gifts for the actor, singer and songwriter On stage, he is lithe, muscular and full of life. But John Mann, the accomplished actor and lead singer/songwriter of the Canadian folk rock band Spirit of the West, quickly softens as he talks about being diagnosed with Read More …

February 18, 2014: The BC Entertainment Hall of Fame is pleased to bestow renowned Canadian band Spirit of the West with a bronze star, destined for Vancouver’s Starwalk on Theatre Row, and inducting the band into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. The award will be presented at the annual Spirit of the West show Read More …

The Waiting Room – Arts Club Play A TRUE-LIFE MUSICAL ABOUT PATIENCE AND RECOVERY September 30, 2015 – October 31, 2015 “An extremely personal, contemplative, angry—and appreciative—musical journey” —The Globe and Mail on John Mann’s album The Waiting Room premiere. A moving story about family, healing, and hope, The Waiting Room is the highly anticipated collaboration Read More …

VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 10, 2015, – Spirit of the West singer John Mann with his actor-playwright wife Jill Daum at their home in Vancouver, BC. December 10, 2015. Friends of Spirit of the West singer John Mann have set up an online fund-raiser seeking $50,000 to send him down to Mexico for stem-cell therapy Read More …