by Richard Skelly » Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:34 am
Stand Tall was Burton Cummings one and only bona fide American hit. But did set him up for several big Canadian followups, lucrative tours (that continue to this day) and CBC tv specials through the mid 1980s.
Stand Tall was purported to be about Burton losing longtime Winnipeg girlfriend Jan Schneider to a rival. The heartache inspired ensuing odes such as I Will Sing A Rhapsody and Timeless Love. “I was still writing songs for Jan,” Cummings revealed to Globe and Mail journalist Michael Posner in 2008. “Trying to make her think about coming back.”
Ms. Schneider married the other chap. Burton then exchanged vows with Toronto-based Cheryl DeLuca in September 1981. They were still together in spring 2016 when Burton acknowledged her while being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame. But reportedly split, leading Burton to move back to Canada from Los Angeles. He currently lives in Moose Jaw.