By Keith Sharp
Former April Wine bassist Steve Lang, passed away Saturday February 4th from Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 67.
Current band guitarist, Brian Greenway, who also played with Lang in Montreal-based Mashmakhan, said on his facebook, “It is with great sadness that I let you know that Steve Lang passed away last Saturday. I was in many bands with Steve. Steve was the bassist of April Wine 1975-1984. All the hits. Steve also did very well as a financial investor with his own company. He was a friend for 50 years. My condolences to his family.
Lang replaced Jim Clench in April Wine in 1975 and made his recording debut on their `Whole World’s Goin Crazy’ release. Lang featured on most of the band’s top releases and hit singles throught the late 70’s before going on to cultivate his own investment business when the band imploded after their 1984 `Animal Grace’ release.
He was offered a position back in the band when lead vocalist Myles Goodwyn reformed the group in 1992 to record their `Attitude’ record. But ultimately, Lang, decided to stick with his investment business and Jim Clench was drafted back into the new lineup.
Lang’s efforts with April Wine were acknowledged when April Wine was elected into Canada’s Music Hall of Fame, April 18th 2010 during the Juno Awards ceremony staged in St John’s Newfoundland.