Ronnie King (The Stampeders)

Cornelis Van Sprang was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the middle of five children. His family moved to Calgary, Canada in 1955. One of King's front teeth was knocked out as a young man and had an "ill-fitted plate" put over it. == Career ==

One of King's first bands, The Paint Brushes, was on a local television show, hosted by Mel Shaw, who later managed the Stampeders. The song won numerous Juno Awards in 1972. The band broke up in 1980, and King returned to Canada from the United States and formed The Ronnie King Band. The band reunited in 1992 after a "Where are they now?" episode on television about the Stampeders aired, featuring Dodson and Berly, King was also on the show but his appearance was kept secret from the other two members as they had not spoken since 1977. The three got to talking again and reformed the band. == Personal life ==

He was married to Cindy Van Sprang from 1996 to 2003, but they remained close friends. They had a daughter, Zoe, born in 1999 who is also a singer. King had four children (Teresa Van Sprang, Kevin Van Sprang (deceased), Debbie Van Sprang (deceased), Zoe Van Sprang) six grandchildren (Clover Roy, Alyccia Gallagher, Aura Mckay, Karma McKay, Max Butcher, Layna Butcher) and five great-grandchildren (Ashlynn Roy, Dylan Roy, Logan Roy, Vienna Gallagher, Hazel Gallagher); he reportedly became a grandfather at the age of thirty-three. King regretted constantly touring in the 1970s as it prevented him from raising his first three children. == Death ==

King died at Peter Lougheed Hospital in Alberta on March 4, 2024, at the age of 76. He died while the band were touring, but they decided to carry on, rename the tour to "Rocking In Memory of Ronnie King", and recruited Dave Chabot as their new bass player. == References ==