Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the life of a remarkable Nova Scotian, Peter Baylis, a man who poured his heart, his voice and his extraordinary talent into every stage he stepped onto.
Peter's devotion to the arts began in the early teens; by 18, he was already woven into the fabric of Halifax's music scene. Through the 1980s he fronted Steps Around the House, and then he became the dynamic force in the Hopping Penguins, one of our most enduring and beloved ska-reggae bands, for decades.
His artistry reached beyond the bandstand. Many will never forget his powerful portrayal of Judas in Neptune Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar, a role he described as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Peter was known to thousands as the Halifax Mooseheads' national anthem singer, his voice rising through the arena, clear and steady. It was a moment fans like me came to treasure.
My heart goes out to all who loved him. His wife, Jennifer, shared a wish that reflects his spirit so beautifully: “hold him in your hearts [and turn the music up] loud.... He’d like that”.