Beloved country singer and variety TV show star Tommy Hunter has sadly died at the age of 89, his manager Brian Edwards has confirmed in a short statement to CBC News. The Canadian musician had a career spanning 60 years, from the 1950s until the 2010s, and was better known by the moniker of Canada’s Country Gentleman. His most loved songs included 1975 hit Travellin’ Man and Blaze of Glorie.

Tommy died from natural causes more than a decade after retiring from performing in 2012. In his farewell interview he admitted of his final tour: “There’s gonna be emotional moments, but at least I’m still breathing and I can at least say thank you and goodbye.”

Now tributes have been pouring in for the star, who also had his own variety TV show in Canada, The Tommy Hunter Show.

One fan wrote: “I remember watching The Tommy Hunter Show as a kid when we had 3 TV channels and had to adjust the rabbit ears to get them. RIP.”

Somebody else said: “Damn. I knew when this show started, I was already up too late, even for grandmas house on a weekend and it was time for bed lol. RIP Tommy Hunter.”

“I grew up watching Tommy Hunter on Friday nights (I think) on the local CBC affiliate in London, Ont. RIP Tommy,” a third fan posted.

Across his impressive career, Tommy won three Juno Awards and a Gemini Award, and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984.

Tommy is survived by his three children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.