Pye Dubois, a Canadian lyricist best known for his work with Rush and Max Webster, has died. He was 77.
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Dubois passed away Sept. 15 in his home. A cause of death has not been revealed.
"It's been an unbelievably tragic year for Max Webster founder Kim Mitchell and all those who knew that band personally," a post on Rush's Instagram page read. "In late February, Max keyboardist Terry Watkinson passed away, and now, a mere 7 days after the death of drummer Gary McCracken, news has reached us that Max Webster lyricist Pye Dubois (Paul Woods) has suddenly left the planet.
"For those who aren't aware, over a span of 20 years, Pye and Neil collaborated on the lyrics for Rush songs: Tom Sawyer, Force 10, Between Sun and Moon, and Test for Echo," the statement continued. "We send our most heartfelt sympathies to the bandmates, friends and families of those three stellar musicians. RIP boys."
Band Members and Family Remember Pye Dubois
Mitchell also penned a heartfelt tribute to Dubois on Facebook.
"Rest in peace lyricist/friend/ writing partner Pye Dubois," he wrote. "You sure knew how to jam with the English language!"
Mitchell and Dubois teamed up on hit songs "Go For Soda," "Patio Lanterns," "Rockland Wonderland," "A Million Vacations," "Battle Scar," and "High Class in Borrowed Shoes."
Although he collaborated frequently with Max Webster, Dubois is perhaps best known for writing Rush's classic track "Tom Sawyer."
Released as part of Rush's 1981 album Moving Pictures, "Tom Sawyer" is RIAA-certified 5-times Platinum. The record has remained popular over time, with over 420 million streams on Spotify.
Parade Magazine revealed that Dubois brought Peart a poem that became the "starting point" of "Tom Sawyer."
The Ontario native was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021 along with Mitchell.
Dubois' family obituary reflected fondly on his legacy and described him as a "gifted writer."
"Pye was a true Canadian icon. A gifted writer, artists, lyricist and poet. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021," the obituary read.
Dubois is survived by brothers Dave and Rob, nieces Taylor and Kaila, and nephew Matt.
