1927: CKUA goes on the air with a 500-watt signal, originating from the University of Alberta campus. Canada's first public broadcaster began as a project to take the University to the people via the new medium of radio. It came into being with the volunteer labour of two engineering students, using two windmill towers, some old iron poles and a $700 grant. On air personalities over the decades have included Robert Goulet, Tommy Banks, Roy Forbes, and Holger Peterson, among many others.
1952: Starchild's axeman Bob Sprenger is born in Cambridge, Ontario.
1970: The Band is in Syracuse, NY for a show at the Onondoga War Memorial.
1970: The Guess Who are in Cleveland for a taping of the TV show, Upbeat at WEWS' studio.
1970: R Harlan Smith tops the Canadian country chart with "Ode To Suburbia."
1973: Anne Murray is in LA for the first of a five-night stand at The Troubador.
1974: Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk is born in Streetsville, Ontario.
1975: Steppenwolf are in Seattle, Washington for a show at Paramount Northwest with Argent.
1981: Downchild Blues Band are in Vancouver for a show at The Arlington.
1981: Anne Murray peaks at #9 on Billboard's country chart with "It's All I Can Do."
1982: In a ceremony at her manager Elliot Roberts' home in Malibu, Joni Mitchell and her bass player, Larry Klein tie the knot.
1982: Coney Hatch opens for Judas Priest in Long Beach, Cal at the Arena.
1987: Blue Rodeo's single, "Try" peaks at #6 on the Canadian pop chart.
1987: Michael Breen peaks on the Canadian albums chart at #91 with his self-titled debut (and only) album. The first single, "Rain," peaks at #33.
1989: Rush release their PRESTO album.
1989: Maestro Fresh Wes releases what would become his biggest hit, "Let Your Backbone Slide."
1991: Harem Scarem are in Toronto for a show at Rock & Roll Heaven during an "Addams Family" movie party.
1992: Alannah Myles tops the Canadian singles chart with "A Song Instead of a Kiss," beginning a four-week run.
1992: Tom Cochrane's "Washed Away" peaks at #88 on Billboard's chart, ending a two week run.
2005: Valdy is awarded the National Achievement Award at SOCAN's annual ceremony in Toronto.
2009: Stereos release the video and single for, "Summer Girls."
2011: Nickelback release their HERE AND NOW album.
2011: The Stampeders receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during SOCAN's ceremony in Toronto.
2014: Trews are in Calgary for a show at Flames Central.
2015: It's the $2 Punk Night at The Mustache Club in Oshawa, Ontario, with Bike Thiefs, Stranded Cruiser, Direct Disregard, and Wayne Kennedy.
2015: Lee Aaron is in Oshawa, Ontario for a show at the Music Hall.
2015: One Bad Son hold a party at the Roxy Theatre Sideroom in Vancouver. Also on the card are Return For Refund, Corporate Life, and From The Ruins.
2015: Bill Durst is in Edmonton to close out a two-night stand at Blues On Whyte.
2015: Jane Siberry is in Dallas, Texas for a show at The Kessler Theatre.
2018: Lowest of The Low release their retrospective boxset, SHAKESPEARE MY BOX!
2019: At the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, a special concert is held in recognition of six songs being inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame "Let Your Backbone Slide" by Maestro Fresh Wes, "Rise Up," from Parachute Club, "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" from A Foot in Coldwater ), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" ( Klaatu), Mandala's "Opportunity," and "I Would Be the One" ( Kensington Market). Members of many of the groups that performed the songs take the stage during the evening.
2019: Lex Justice and Toque are in Edmonton for a show at Blues On Whyte.
2019: Winnie Brave are in Cold Lake, Alberta for a show at Beantrees. Opening is Ashley Earl.
2019: Lee Harvey Osmond, aka as Tom Wilson from Junkhouse is in White Rock, BC for a show at Blue Frog Studios.
2019: Aurora In Peril release their debut single and video, "Silly Boy," featuring Robs Yourson.
2019: Tara Van Der Kolk, Pablo Paddy, and Philip Vonesh & The Spare Parts are in Toronto for a triple bill at the Linsmore Tavern.
2019: Spoons release their new single and video, "All The Wrong Things."
2019: Bloated Pig release their new single and video, "Ritual Burning."
Former d in mid ’76 Chris Haight (guitar) John Hamilton (drums; switched to bass) Bent Rasmussen (drums) Zoom was formed in the Fall of 1976 and debuted at Toronto Queen Street bar The Beverly Tavern on New Year’s Eve of that year. It was there that the band would meet up with future scene makers Steve Leckie (The Viletones) and Lucasta (The B-Girls). In January 1977 the band revived the Colonial Underground and begin playing there regularly while booking other bands like The Diodes, The Viletones, The Cads, The Battered Wives and Teenage Head. Jimmy The Worm (Chris Haight’s brother) was club manager. The band hastily released a single in the Spring of 1977 but it wasn’t long before they played their last gig on Toronto Island — kicking out their original bassist for dressing badly (Hamitlon switched from drums), and recruiting Diodes drummer Bent Rasmussen. With most of the punk acts in disarray at the same time, Hamilton wound up in The Diodes as their drummer; Haight changed his name to Hate and joined the Viletones as bassist; Rasmussen ended up in Johnny & The G-Rays. Between work with their respective full-time bands Hamilton and Haight re-issued the Zoom single with a picture sleeve with plans to release a Zoom album on the side. Though the album was recorded and produced by BB Gabor and Bob Segarini, it was never released. The recording features additional musical input from BB Gabor, Bent Rasmussen, Lucasta and Zenia (B-Girls), Screamin’ Sam Sinatra (The Ugly), and Dr. Bourque (The Curse) among others. Later Hamilton and Haight would reconvene in the early 1980’s as musical frustration led the two musicians to quit The Diodes and The Viletones respectively. With Haight’s departure from The Viletones, that band essentially folded and members Motor X (drums) and Freddy Pompeii (guitar) joined Hamilton and Haight first for a Zoom review-styled production, then as backing musicians for several Toronto singers and finally as The Secrets.
