ERNEST ALEXANDER BLACKBURN (published on February 19, 2010)
| ERNEST ALEXANDER BLACKBURN (ERNIE B) Suddenly on Monday, February 8, 2010, Ernie left for the big tour in the sky. Ernie is survived by his mother Sylvia, father Bill, dog Armani and cat Pretty Boy . Ernie was born September 4, 1955 in Clinton, ON. He and his mother moved to Winnipeg where he grew up and went to school in St. Vital and Fort Rouge. At an early age he developed a love of reading that he indulged for the rest of his life. This, combined with his love of music, made him a valuable reference source to his friends, and arbiter of musical trivia disputes. As a boy, Ernie spent his summers on the farms at Dauphin and Cowan, doing chores and learning about country living. This took so well that he ended up with a farm of his own. He tried his hand at bee keeping and found it a fascinating pastime. Ernie was involved in the Taxi industry for many years as an owner/operator, and as a dispatcher. During this period he held court at Chateau Sal's where you could find him and his many friends on any given late night. His first love was music, and everything else in his life was predicated upon it. He loved all types of music, but his favourites were Rock and Roll, the Blues, and Country. Among his many tattoos were his musical heroes Jimi Hendrix, and Hank Williams, representing country and rock, but both from the Blues. He satisfied his rock and roll appetites by becoming a stagehand for many of Winnipeg's elite touring bands. He was on the road long enough to acquire a lifetime of stories which he would tell and re-tell, to the amazement and amusement of all. Throughout the years he collected instruments, amplifiers, and music related gear. This finally culminated in the creation of his own enterprise, Ernie's Backline, motto You rock, we roll . This put him squarely in his element, and he was at his happiest when he could combine the business of making a living with music. Ernie collected stuff - lots of stuff - and he loved all of it, especially his Martin D-18 and Fender Telecaster. Guitars were the stars in Ernie's sky, and he cherished them. But he collected friends as well - lots of friends. There will be a memorial for Ernie on 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21 at the Zoo downstairs, 160 Osborne Street. Let's say good-bye like we said hello, in a friendly kind of way - Ernest Tubb. Funeral Home and Crematorium 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca |
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