The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have announced a special ceremony to commemorate the life of Bill Livingstone, writes PPBSO President Malkie Bow.
Bill died last month aged 83. A celebration of his life will take place in the ballroom of the Old Mill Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The event will be live-streamed on YouTube. Here is the link. The time is 1pm (EDT). This is 5pm GMT for Bill’s many friends and admirers tuning in from the UK.
Bill’s old band, the 78th Fraser Highlanders, will commence proceedings with a performance of ‘Journey to Skye’. Some of his students and friends will offer tunes, songs and words to round out the gathering.
These include Austin Diepenhorst, Bruce Gandy, Michael Grey, Andrew Hayes, Michael Hunter, Ian K MacDonald, James MacHattie, Glenna Mackay-Johnstone, Sean McKeown, Alistair Murray, Brian Pollock, Bobby Watt and Bob Worrall.
Some of Bill’s favourite music will be played in the background in the ballroom throughout the afternoon. The tunes and songs will reflect Bill’s eclectic taste in music featuring Irish groups such as Planxty and the Chieftains, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, and artists such as the Everly Brothers, Van Morrison and Neil Young.
Bill Livingstone was a double Gold Medallist and Pipe Major of the 78th Frasers when, in 1987, they became the first overseas band to win the Worlds. He was also a composer and a renowned teacher.
In 2022, PPBSO awarded him a Life Membership in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the advancement of piping. Read Bill’s obituary here.
