Men of The Deeps mark 60 years with anniversary tour

The Men of the Deeps perform for fellow travellers before hitting the road for their anniversary tour.

People showing up for a flight at the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport on Monday got a surprise performance from the Men of The Deeps.

“We’re kicking off our 60th anniversary tour, our Diamond Sunset tour,” said choir director Stephen Muise.

Members of the famed Cape Breton choir were flying to Ontario for 12 shows to mark the big milestone.

The group’s history is perhaps as rich as the pitch black coal the men once hauled out from underground.

“It dates back to 1966,” Muise said of the choir’s history. “So many men, so many personalities, so many stories and songs.”

The group’s first big performance was at Expo ‘67 in Montreal.

Ten years later, The Men of the Deeps would come to hold a unique distinction on the other side of the world. In 1976, they became the first Canadian performing group to tour what was then known as the People’s Republic of China.

Nipper MacLeod was a brand-new member back then. He says his time with the group has been one of the highlights of his life.

“I’ve been there 50 years now,” MacLeod said on Monday. “After family, it’s probably one of the most important things that has ever happened to me – to get to travel across this country a dozen times maybe and meet a lot of folks.”

However, those on hand admitted the aging group may soon run into a succession problem of sorts.

“To be a member of this choir, you have to work two years in the mines,” Muise said of the group’s long-standing membership requirement.

It’s criteria that may soon become more difficult to meet, as coal mining in Cape Breton is dormant and may remain that way.

“If there’s no miners left, it’s not the same thing,” said MacLeod.

Some of the youngest members of The Men Of The Deeps are now in their late 60s, begging the question of whether membership requirements might change someday to keep the storied group going.

“That’s to be seen in the future, but right now this group is still authentic,” said Muise. “We’re traveling with 30 coal miners and very proud of it.”

The group’s 60th anniversary gala is set for Nov. 1 at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, N.S., and it is already sold out.

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