R.I.P.: Ronnie King, Frontman For the Stampeders

Ronnie King (born Cornelis Van Sprang), bassist and original member of hit Canadian band The Stampeders, died on March 4 , at age 76.

The band shared news of King's passing on their Facebook page. "It is with sadness and love that we must announce the passing of our longtime friend and band mate Cornelis Van Sprang, known to most as Ronnie King. Ronnie died yesterday at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary. The sudden drastic turn in his health took us all by surprise. As little as three weeks ago he was looking forward to doing one final tour with The Stampeders and was in a positive and optimistic state of mind. Sadly, it was not to be."

"For the last fifty-six years, the Stampeders have entertained Canadians from coast to coast with Ronnie’s irrepressible humour and willingness to do anything for a laugh setting the tone. We, who shared the stage of life with him, were, no doubt, the recipients of an extra-large dose of his larger-than-life persona, and we will miss him.

"The tour that was intended to be his final bow will now, instead, be our tribute to, and celebration of, our beautiful friend and partner. The show must go on… Ronnie wouldn’t have it any other way."

"The Stampeders and Shaw moved to Toronto in 1966. The group went on to score a number of hits, including their biggest song, 'Sweet City Woman,' in 1971. The song helped turn the band into one of one of Canada’s most successful acts, becoming a radio staple in both Canada and the United States. It reached No. 8 in the U.S., helped the band sweep the 1972 Juno Awards, and would become a North American radio staple."