Ottawa singer Maloney injured in fall

Tony Lofaro, The Ottawa Citizen
July 16, 2006

Ottawa singer Dick Maloney is in stable condition in hospital after an awkward fall caused serious damage to his neck.

The singer was meeting his wife for lunch downtown a week ago when he tripped on the sidewalk, fell to the ground and suffered injuries to his neck and spinal column. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors operated on his neck and realigned the bone mass that surrounds the spinal cord, said his wife.

"He's in definite stable condition. He is initiating his own breathing and supporting himself," said the singer's wife, Carrie, who has been at his bedside daily.

She said her husband is speaking softly and recognizing family members visiting him in the hospital. She said it's too early to say when he might be able to return to his singing career.

"I don't know how long he's going to be in the hospital. It's dependent on his progress and we're taking it day by day. But we're encouraged by his determination and the little accomplishments he makes every day."

Mr. Maloney has been a regular fixture at the Monterey Inn on Prince of Wales, where he has performed soft melodic music and Frank Sinatra standards with his band. The singer also hosted a weekly radio show on Oldies 1310, spinning nostalgic tunes mostly from the '40s and '50s.

Ms. Maloney said her husband's band will continue to perform at the inn and Doug Anderson at Oldies 1310 is producing the singer's radio show in his absence.

Mr. Maloney, a big fan of Sinatra and his music, has been a regular on the Ottawa music scene for more than 40 years, having hosted Saturday Date on CJOH. He also worked at several radio stations including CFRA, CFMO and CKOY and performed as a lounge singer at various clubs in town. He's recorded several albums, wrote songs for Undercover Angel and had a cameo in Miss Castaway, both films directed by Bryan Michael Stoller of Ottawa.