A couple months ago, I got the news that one of the members of my favourite band Great Big Sea, Sean McCann would be leaving. This was shocking because Great Big Sea is 20 years old and has only lost one member (Darrell Power, back in 2002). Fans reactions varied from "blessed" to "angry". Fans immediately started speculating on why he was leaving. Originally, many people assumed Sean was leaving Great Big Sea to spend more time with family, just like Darrell did. However, Sean released a song called "Goodbye Old Friend" on the last night of the tour and though I am not going to post it here (those interested can look on sound cloud), people are not sure because the lyrics imply something else was going on. He doesn't seem to be happy in the band.
Out of respect, I will not speculate on why Sean is leaving GBS, but I will talk about how I feel. To be honest, I feel sad. When I was about 2 or 3, my dad used to play the song "Mari-Mac" for me. (I misheard the lyrics and thought they were saying 'piggy back') and when I was 6, we went to Edmonton and my dad made me a tape (Hey come on, this was 2001!). In summer 2002, I went to a friend's birthday party and had to leave early because we were going on vacation. I remember very little of the birthday party, I remember listening to Road Rage on the way. I was 9 when I went to my first concert, which is not what I excepted. I thought everyone would just sit there, but no, everyone got up and danced! I was too short to see so I stood on a chair.
3 years and 4 concerts later, I met my first band member, the bass player, Murray Foster. I was 12 and my hands were shaking. I had never been so nervous in my life. I saw him standing to the side of the stage after the show and we called him over and he actually came! (I was surprised) It was about a year later when I met Kris, the drummer. I remember Kris asked my mom's cousin from England, to hold his laptop. We brought Union Jacks to hold up during one of their songs, called "England". It was a year later before I met Alan Doyle, the leader singer, and about a year and a half later before I met Sean at one of his solo songs.
Even though Sean is leaving GBS, he is still continuing his solo career. He has released two albums, Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes and Son of Sailor. Now, he is releasing an album called "Help Your Self", which comes out at the end of the month. He has posted some "teaser" videos and one full song. In the videos he has posted, he seems happy, which is good. I'm glad Sean is happy and doing what he really wants to do. Though I am sad he is leaving Great Big Sea, I don't want him to be unhappy in the band. I like his solo stuff and am glad he is continuing with that. Oh, and there is a still chance GBS might continue, though they are taking a break.
In conclusion, Great Big Sea has been a big part of my life for 10 years and I am sad to see Sean leave, but I'm excited for his solo album and I'm glad his doing what makes him happy.
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