For Him Day Starts at Night

For Him Day Starts at Night

Cy McLean described the racial discrimination he faced while touring Canada and about how he had problems getting into the musicians union. Even after accomplishing the task of finding work and gigs to play at, he continued to encounter difficulties due to racism. In order to play as much as possible and in turn make a living wage, musicians had to continuously travel to find work, and at the same time find places to stay, usually at friends or families homes connected through the music industry or church affiliations. Cy recounts a time when he was performing a charity show during World War II, where his band couldn't find anywhere to eat and were left hungry due to the fact the small Ontario town refused to serve Black people. Despite all of these struggles, Cy remained optimistic and persistent in the face of inequality and overall wished to continue spreading kindness. These incidents to him were not the important or largest part of his career and do not define him as a musician. Cy was remembered by most as an incredibly respectful and happy person who was always in the mood to perform for an enthusiastic audience and although he had to endure unnecessary obstacles, he persisted with it because it was his passion.

Ralph Thomas

Thomas, Ralph. “For Him Day Starts At Night” <em>Toronto Star</em>, Oct. 20, 1962.

Toronto Star

Oct. 20, 1962

Toronto Star

Newspaper