Generations of Canadians have grown up with Sharon, Lois and Bram as a staple of their childhoods. Now the “Skinnamarink” singers, who recorded their first album in 1978, may be honoured by having a local playground named after them.
Coun. Josh Matlow has moved a motion to name the playground in June Rowlands Park the Sharon, Lois and Bram Playground because of the iconic singers’ devotion to creating quality music for children and their commitment to philanthropy. Council will vote on the motion in September.
“He actually grew up with our music, too,” said Bramwell “Bram” Morrison, who currently resides in Davisville Village. Morrison and his bandmates, Sharon Hampson and Lois Lilienstein, still perform whenever possible, though Lilienstein retired from touring in 2000.
Throughout their career, the band was actively devoted to childrens’ charities, most notably UNICEF, which they have been spokespeople for since the 1980s.
“The first thing that they asked us to do was to be spokespeople for the orange box Halloween collecting program,” said Morrison. “We also did a number of other larger scale things, both for the Canadian UNICEF and also UNICEF International.” The group performed at the general assembly of the United Nations to mark the 50th anniversary of UNICEF.
Morrison was surprised and honoured by the playground dedication. “It’s not the kind of thing you expect,” he said. He is confident that city council will approve the dedication. “All the signs seem very favourable.” If approved, a dedication will take place either this coming fall or spring 2014. He says the whole band would certainly attend the ceremony, instruments in hand. “You can’t have an event like that without music.”