Max Webster lyricist Pye Dubois dies at 77

Pye Dubois, Max Webster’s lyricist, died at 77 on Sept.

15; he had been living in London, Ontario.

Born Paul Woods, he was the band’s non-performing fifth member, supplying lyrics and ideas rather than playing on stage.

His words helped define the Toronto band’s unusual rock sound, including songs such as “Oh War!”

and “Toronto Tontos.”

Dubois and frontman Kim Mitchell, both from Sarnia, Ontario, continued working together after Max Webster, and royalties from two of their hits helped sustain Mitchell.

Dubois also contributed to four songs recorded by Rush, including “Tom Sawyer,” one of the band’s enduring hits.

His death came in a year when several other people from the Max Webster world also died.

His work remains part of the legacy of Canadian rock, through Max Webster, Mitchell’s solo career and Rush’s recordings.