Longtime Toronto radio host Dave “Bookie” Bookman died early Tuesday morning. He was 58.
“A hero of the Toronto music scene and a wonderful guy,” tweeted musician Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness. A message on the Twitter account of Lowest Of The Low read: “Music has lost a true champion … we were always lucky to have him in our city.”
In April, Indie88 posted on Facebook that Bookman "fell ill" and was "under the care of doctors." Friends said Bookman had suffered a brain aneurysm.
Sloan tweeted: "He was a massive supporter of ours from the first time we met in the very early 90s. Toronto has lost a music scene legend."
Indie88 colleague and friend Josie Dye paid tribute Tuesday morning in a message on the station’s website.
“He has started careers for major bands such as Billy Talent, but he was also known as one of Canada’s top interviewers, forming relationships with artists such as Dave Grohl and Bono,” she wrote.
“I used to think people like Bookie only existed in novels. Now I know, novels were written because of characters like Bookie. Our country has lost an icon and a beautiful man.”
Toronto's 102.1 the Edge, where Bookman spent 21 years up until 2012, tweeted: "He's forged many great relationships with staff and listeners. He will be greatly missed. Our heart goes out to his family."
Music writer Michael Barclay shared on Twitter: "I know a lot of people passionate about music. I know precious few as passionate as Dave Bookman, whose enthusiasm was endless, who did so much for music in Toronto in the last 30 years, on stage and on the radio.
"We've lost a true giant. Play your favourite record loud today."