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‘So many stories and songs’: Men of The Deeps mark 60 years with anniversary tour

Members of the famed Cape Breton choir were flying to Ontario for 12 shows to mark the big milestone.

The group’s history is perhaps as rich as the pitch black coal the men once hauled out from underground.

“It dates back to 1966,” Muise said of the choir’s history. “So many men, so many personalities, so many stories and songs.”

The group’s first big performance was at Expo ‘67 in Montreal.

Ten years later, The Men of the Deeps would come to hold a unique distinction on the other side of the world. In 1976, they became the first Canadian performing group to tour what was then known as the People’s Republic of China.

Nipper MacLeod was a brand-new member back then. He says his time with the group has been one of the highlights of his life.

“I’ve been there 50 years now,” MacLeod said on Monday. “After family, it’s probably one of the most important things that has ever happened to me – to get to travel across this country a dozen times maybe and meet a lot of folks.”

However, those on hand admitted the aging group may soon run into a succession problem of sorts.

“To be a member of this choir, you have to work two years in the mines,” Muise said of the group’s long-standing membership requirement.

It’s criteria that may soon become more difficult to meet, as coal mining in Cape Breton is dormant and may remain that way.

“If there’s no miners left, it’s not the same thing,” said MacLeod.

Some of the youngest members of The Men Of The Deeps are now in their late 60s, begging the question of whether membership requirements might change someday to keep the storied group going.

“That’s to be seen in the future, but right now this group is still authentic,” said Muise. “We’re traveling with 30 coal miners and very proud of it.”

The group’s 60th anniversary gala is set for Nov. 1 at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, N.S., and it is already sold out. 

Click here to see the full story from CTV News: https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/men-of-the-deeps-mark-60-years-with-anniversary-tour

Sixty years on, The Men of the Deeps still drawing receptive crowds with Cape Breton mining stories in song

There’s no slowing down for The Men of the Deeps.

North America’s only coal miners’ chorale just wrapped up a tour of southern Ontario to nearly sellout theatre crowds to plug their 60th anniversary as a group.

Soon they will be a fixture at the Cape Breton Miners Museum for much of the summer for tourists. Then in November, they’re back on the road again for a slew of Maritime shows.

“We’re always held in high regard wherever we go,” said Mickey MacIntyre, 67, the youngest member of the chorale’s current lineup. “But we’re going to venues that are 700-1,000 seaters, and they’re all sold out. Not a ticket left.”

Cape Bretoners aren’t the only ones attending these shows, MacIntyre wants to make clear.

“There’s a lot of people that never heard our story that are hearing it now,” he said. “As far as mining goes, if it’s for coal, hard rock, gold or whatever kind of mining, it’s all the same in terms of the working environment.”

‘THEY GET SUCH ENJOYMENT’

Even for the group’s oldest member, Jude Kelly, the recent Ontario tour sparked great interest from the crowds attending.

“After the show, we get people coming up to us and saying, ‘We have to get to Cape Breton. We just heard about it, but we’ve never been there. But me and my (spouse) have made our minds up that we’re going,’” said Kelly, 88. “The fact that they get such enjoyment out of what we often take for granted, they seem to eat it up tremendously. That’s what I love about it.

“Plus, it’s great for our tourist industry. We don’t only talk about the coal mining; we also talk about Cape Breton, the Miners Museum (in Glace Bay) and all the other tourist spots. And they’re very impressed, especially the Cabot Trail. When you mention the Cabot Trail, you will hear, ‘Oh, we’ve heard about it. We’re going to try and get there.’ They don’t get tired of hearing that.”

Read the full story by Ian Nathanson at Cape Breton post here: https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/sixty-years-on-the-men-of-the-deeps-still-drawing-receptive-crowds-with-cape-breton-mining-stories-in-song

Final bow for ‘Big Jim’: Last original performing member of The Men of the Deeps retires

“I was born a miner”

By Ian Nathanson

Published Nov 27, 2025

Jim MacLellan is still processing his farewell performance with The Men of the Deeps.

Emotions were running high before and during the miners choir’s opening night of its latest Maritimes Christmas Show tour at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay. The 91-year-old is retiring from performing — but not before he gave one final on-stage appearance in front of the hometown crowd this past Saturday night.

“I was a bit uptight at the start,” MacLellan said in the days following that show — while seated on a much quieter Savoy Theatre stage.

“But once I did my monologue about Christmas Eve in the mine, I sort of relaxed and was singing in between. And then when I get up to tell my stories, that was really relaxing, because the audience was so warm. They were applauding at everything.

“It was just terrific. I didn’t want to stop, to tell you the truth. The ham in me, I guess.”

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/big-jims-final-bow-last-original-performing-member-of-the-men-of-the-deeps-retires

MP MIKE KELLOWAY: Today in the House, I had the honour of recognizing Big Jim MacLellan — the last original member of The Men of the Deeps — as he retires after nearly 60 incredible years.

Big Jim has spent a lifetime sharing the stories, struggles, and strength of Cape Breton’s mining communities with audiences around the world.

Thank you, Big Jim, for everything you’ve given to our island and to Canada. Your contribution to Cape Breton’s spirit and culture will be felt for generations: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3525921987549100