Bagpipes Made Him Successful

The man known as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has lost his battle with Cancer and at the young age of 61 leaves numerous followers.

He was a Canadian due to his Scottish heritage and stated he was from Glasgow Scotland and was known for his bagpipe entrance music and signature Kilt.

He actually started his wrestling career at the age of 15 in Winnipeg going against Larry Henning and his Father was an  RCMP officer in the Pas Manitoba.

After a falling out with his father, Piper hit the road and stayed in youth hostels wherever he could find them, picking up odd jobs at local gyms running errands for several pro wrestlers.

As a young man he became proficient in playing the bagpipes and his life-long childhood friend was ex-WHAer and ex-NHLer Cam Connor.

He played for the Phoenix Road Runners and Houston before moving on to play in Montreal for the Canadians and was best known for his series winning double OT playoff goal for Montreal Canadiens against Toronto Maple Leafs.

In his first introduction the ring announcer called him “Roddy the Piper” and from there the name stuck.

The nickname was something he earned as he displayed his trademark “Scottish” rage, impulsiveness and quick humor.

He was a huge crowd favorite for his rock star-like persona, but quite often played a villain or bad-guy.

Aside from his ring name, he was also known by the nickname “Hot Rod.

It is reported that he died from cardiac arrest while sleeping July 30^th, but was not found till the following day.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and scheduled to wrestle at the Survivor Series the same year, teaming up with Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter and Dusty Rhodes against the Spirit Squad, but was replaced in the match by Ron Simmons.

Piper told the media “The cancer is gone as far as I know and I’ve passed the five-year mark.”

He continued it’s one of those things that haunts you a little bit, especially when you go as hard as I did. I’m doing OK, but about a year ago, I was driving home and I couldn’t breathe and almost passed out. I was trying to ignore it, but I had a blood clot in my lung and spent some time in the hospital. I need to start being careful. I’m not sure we’re invincible anymore.”

He managed to accumulate 34 championships in various positions and was inducted into the WWE hall of Fame in 2005 and named No. 1 of the Top 50 villains in the wrestling world by the WWE.

He’ll be missed!!!