Haydain Neale, 39, lead singer of R&B band Jacksoul
Matthew Kruk
Jacksoul lead singer dies
Last Updated: Monday, November 23, 2009 | 8:58 PM ET
CBC News
Juno Award-winning artist Haydain Neale of the R&B band Jacksoul died
Sunday at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital after a private, seven-month
battle with lung cancer.
Neale's family announced his death on his website Monday.
The Hamilton, Ont.-born Neale, 39, was the lead singer of the Toronto
band, which resurrected classic soul songs such as Can't Stop and Still
Believe in Love and put its twist on works by Radiohead, Curtis Mayfield
and Sam Cooke.
In 2004, Neale performed the Guess Who song These Eyes in a tribute to
the band as it was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Jacksoul won a SOCAN Award for R&B song of the year, a Canadian Urban
Music Award for songwriter of the year and a 2007 Juno for best R&B
recording for mySOUL.
Neale is survived by his wife, Michaela, and daughter, Yasmin, as well
as many other family and friends.
In a statement on the Jacksoul website, Neale's family said he
maintained a positive spirit in the face of adversity, including a 2007
car accident that left him hospitalized.
"Through all these challenges, Haydain's sense of humour and love of
music were ever-present," Michaela Neale said in the statement.
"He constantly brightened the room with his singing and his smile. His
joyful presence and beautiful voice will be missed by us all."
A private family funeral is planned for later this week. Fans may send a
message of condolence or share their memories of Neale by emailing the
family at: haydainne...@gmail.com