Canadian lyricist and Rush collaborator Pye Dubois dead at 77

Canadian lyricist and Rush collaborator Pye Dubois dead at 77

Pye Dubois worked with Max Webster and on several Rush songs including Tom Sawyer

Pye Dubois, Sarnia-raised lyricist for Max Webster and others, has died

Members of 1970s Sarnia rock band Max Webster, and its fans, are mourning another loss.

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It's been a tough couple of weeks in Max Webster land. Last week, it was revealed that powerhouse drummer Gary McCracken (who also sang their hit A Million Vacations) has died on Sept. 17 at age 75. Then, this week it was revealed that Max lyricist and unofficial fifth member Pye Dubois (born Paul Woods) — who also wrote the words for Rush's biggest hit Tom Sawyer— had died on Sept. 15 at age 77.

Pye Dubois, Lyricist Behind Rush's "Tom Sawyer" and Max Webster's Legacy, Dies at 77

“You just have to listen really well. People are saying these things.” That was how Pye Dubois once explained his gift for language to childhood friend and songwriting partner Kim Mitchell, a gift that gave Canadian rock some of its most enduring lyrics. Dubois died on September 15, 2026, at his home in London, Ontario. […]

Pye Dubois, Dead at 77

Pye Dubois was a lyricist who worked closely with Kim Mitchell and Max Webster and occasionally Rush.