Martin Shaer

I’m deeply saddened to share that Martin, my husband and best friend for the past 30+ years passed away on February 25th, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born 1948 in London England, Martin was captivated by music since the age of six, when he first heard Judy Garland sing ‘The Man That Got Away’ and Frank Sinatra deliver ‘Young at Heart’ on 78 speed vinyl.

While attending high school @ Bush Elms Secondary in Hornchurch, Essex, U.K., he continued his love of music and cut his first record for Polydor as vocalist with harmony band ‘The Sugarbeats’. He also sang in the one-hundred-member school choir, noticeably as lead vocalist on the Kentucky Derby signature tune ‘My Old Kentucky Home’.

In 1967, Martin joined the band recognized as the #1 harmony band in the UK. Tony Rivers and the Castaways. The band toured the UK under the management of Beatles Manager, Brian Epstein’s NEMS Enterprises.

The last performance by the Castaways, fondly remembered by Martin, was at the Saville Theatre as guests of the Bee Gees. Paul McCartney and John Lennon were in attendance.

Martin left the band and ventured into song writing, publishing and production. He was signed as a writer to Screen Gems Columbia (EMI). In 1973 he tracked down his school music teacher and recorded her students for his composition ‘Reggae Christmas’. The record was well received in the UK, voted #1 in a National Poll over John Lennon and Michael Jackson’s Christmas releases.

In 1974, Martin decided it was time to emigrate and flipped a coin between Canada and Australia. Canada won the flip and Martin emigrated, landing in Vancouver British Columbia. He was immediately signed as In-House Producer and Head of A & R @ Studio 3 Productions. The first artist he signed to the studio, was local rock-band Sweeney Todd. He produced their first album and the single off that album, Roxy Roller, went straight to #1 in Canada. Martin was nominated Producer of the Year at the Juno Awards and Roxy Roller won the Juno for Record of the Year.

Lead vocalist Nick Gilder wanted to pursue a solo career and so Martin replaced Gilder with a 16-year-old Bryan Adams.

Gilder went on to score on the Billboard chart in the US, reaching #1 with Hot Child in the City. Bryan Adams went on to record many hits world-wide.

Every artist has a beginning and Martin was there to produce Bryan Adams’ first ever recording as lead vocalist with glam-band Sweeney Todd.

In 1976, Martin became a father as his son Adam was born.

In 1977, Martin was appointed Head of A & R and In-House Producer with Little Mountain Studios. He produced Seattle band Bighorn and local band Straight Lines that afforded him the opportunity to briefly return to the UK to dub strings, working out of Abbey Road studio.

In 1981, Martin felt it time to choose a different line of work and created a sportswear company. He attended UBC to earn his coaching certification and was able to pursue his love of football by coaching youth soccer. In 1992, Martin joined Kerrisdale Masonic Lodge 77, Vancouver and became a Master Freemason.

I met Martin in 1995 and on Christmas Day 1998, we married on a beach overlooking the Sea of Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico.

I owned an Industrial Hearing Test company that was growing so quickly that Martin stepped in, and together we built a successful company that’s now recognized as the leading hearing test provider in Canada. Adam joined Reliable in 2012 and allowed us to retire and pursue our love of travel and breeding our family of Tibetan Spaniels.

Martin is survived by myself; son Adam; daughter-in-law Tammy; granddaughter Jordynn; brother Tony, sisters Linda & Carol along with many nieces & nephews.

Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.

Martin has been entombed in the Grand Mausoleum, Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, British Columbia.