Renaissance - 12-8-81 - Mother Russia - Rochester Triangle Theater - During an Upstate Blizzard!

This color video of Renaissance performing "Mother Russia" at the Triangle Theater in Rochester, New York recorded on December 8th, 1981 is in memory of the multi- talented composer and guitarist Michael Dunford . The original co-founder of Renaissance left us suddenly on November 20th, 2012 at home in Surrey, England. He is survived by his wife, two children and a sister. The sad news has shocked fans and is slowly sinking in. Renaissance had just returned from the first leg of a three part US TOUR which featured Dunford performing "THE SISTERS' from the epic 1977 Novella LP for the first time in public - for a lucky few US dates. 2012 was an incredible year for the English band that saw the release of their first LIVE DVD and the recording of the new "GRANDINE IL VENTO (Hail The Wind) studio album. The song features lyrics by his long time friend Betty Thatcher and was inspired by Nobel Prize Winning Writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn 1918-2008 He won the prize for literature with his real life - the incredible book 'THE GULAG ARCHIPELAGO" Alll three ARE GREAT! and are now gone from us. They are securely forever united in a common powerful message that brings tears to people all over World. It was a superlative ride they had and wonderfully shared with us. " Mother Russia" is a song of substance - unique and timeless. Thank you! Michael and ThankYou! Renaissance. Videographer/Bass Player James McDonough

On 20 November 2012, Michael Dunford (born Jul 8, 1944) died from a cerebral hemorrhage. On 22 December 2012, Annie Haslam stated that the band will continue touring in the future, despite losing "our 'guiding light' Michael Dunford".