Pye Dubois
Encyclopedia
Pye Dubois is a Canadian
lyricist
and poet
. He has worked with a number of bands, including Rush
and Max Webster
, with whom he was considered an unofficial fifth non-performing member. Dubois would accompany the band in the studio and wrote lyrics for each of their albums. Dubois was given lyric writing credits on several Rush songs including "Tom Sawyer
", along with "Force Ten". Pye Dubois also wrote the poem "Between the Sun and Moon", which inspired lyricist and drummer Neil Peart
to write many of lyrics for the album Counterparts
. He is also credited as a contributing composer on the song "Test for Echo
."
After Max Webster dissolved, Dubois continued his writing relationship with singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell
on his solo songs. This would include all but one of the songs on Kim's platinum Akimbo Alogo
, every song on the triple platinum Shakin' Like a Human Being
, and double platinum Rockland
. Dubois had a falling-out with Mitchell during the sessions for Rockland, caused by Mitchell's decision to record the album in the US without Dubois present in the studio as he had been in the past. Dubois did not write on Mitchell's followup album, Aural Fixations
(lyrics on that album were handled by Andy Curran), but did return for 1994's Itch
. Dubois took part in several Max Webster
reunion concerts, but not their most recent one in Toronto on May 24, 2007, and has not written lyrics with Mitchell since 1994.
On July 20, 2007, Dubois went temporarily missing, causing concern with his neighbor, author Martin Popoff
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. He has worked with a number of bands, including Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and Max Webster
Max Webster
Max Webster was a Canadian rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s.-Career:The band was formed in 1973 in Toronto, Ontario and originally consisted of guitarist and vocalist Kim Mitchell, keyboardist Terry Watkinson, bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Paul Kersey. Mitchell and Pye Dubois would write the...
, with whom he was considered an unofficial fifth non-performing member. Dubois would accompany the band in the studio and wrote lyrics for each of their albums. Dubois was given lyric writing credits on several Rush songs including "Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer (song)
"Tom Sawyer" is a song by Canadian rock band Rush, named after Mark Twain's literary character. The song was released on Mercury Records and PolyGram in 1981 on the Moving Pictures album and numerous compilations thereafter, such as 1990's Chronicles. It has also appeared on several live albums and...
", along with "Force Ten". Pye Dubois also wrote the poem "Between the Sun and Moon", which inspired lyricist and drummer Neil Peart
Neil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...
to write many of lyrics for the album Counterparts
Counterparts (album)
Counterparts is the fifteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1993. It became Rush's highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200...
. He is also credited as a contributing composer on the song "Test for Echo
Test for Echo (song)
"Test for Echo" is the title track and second single from Canadian rock band Rush's 16th studio album released in 1996. The song's lyrics were written by Neil Peart and Pye Dubois with music written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart...
."
After Max Webster dissolved, Dubois continued his writing relationship with singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell
Kim Mitchell
Joseph Kim Mitchell is a Canadian guitarist. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career. He is currently a radio show host for CILQ-FM in Toronto....
on his solo songs. This would include all but one of the songs on Kim's platinum Akimbo Alogo
Akimbo Alogo
Akimbo Alogo is the first full-length solo album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. It includes the only song of his to become a hit in the United States, "Go For Soda"....
, every song on the triple platinum Shakin' Like a Human Being
Shakin' Like a Human Being
Shakin' Like a Human Being is the second solo album by Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1986 and is certified triple platinum in Canada...
, and double platinum Rockland
Rockland (album)
Rockland is the third solo album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1989 and is certified double platinum in Canada.-Track listing: # "Rocklandwonderland" -4:19...
. Dubois had a falling-out with Mitchell during the sessions for Rockland, caused by Mitchell's decision to record the album in the US without Dubois present in the studio as he had been in the past. Dubois did not write on Mitchell's followup album, Aural Fixations
Aural Fixations
Aural Fixations is the fifth album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1992 and is certified gold in Canada...
(lyrics on that album were handled by Andy Curran), but did return for 1994's Itch
Itch (Kim Mitchell album)
Itch is the sixth album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1994. This would be the last album to date that Mitchell would collaborate with lyricist Pye Dubois]]...
. Dubois took part in several Max Webster
Max Webster
Max Webster was a Canadian rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s.-Career:The band was formed in 1973 in Toronto, Ontario and originally consisted of guitarist and vocalist Kim Mitchell, keyboardist Terry Watkinson, bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Paul Kersey. Mitchell and Pye Dubois would write the...
reunion concerts, but not their most recent one in Toronto on May 24, 2007, and has not written lyrics with Mitchell since 1994.
On July 20, 2007, Dubois went temporarily missing, causing concern with his neighbor, author Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff is a Canadian-born music journalist and critic who covers the genre of heavy metal music. The senior editor and co-founder of Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine, he has additionally written over twenty books that both critically evaluate heavy metal and document its history...
.