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Jim Clench memorial Contrary to popular belief, the fire of BTO did not rise from the ashes of The Guess Who, at least not directly. After taking a hiatus from Canada’s greatest supergroup of the time, Randy Bachman released his first solo venture, 1970’s AXE. Despite it’s less than enthusiastic response, he still officially announced …
Richard Patterson memorial Hailing from the nation’s capital, Canada Goose was formed in 1970 by remnants of The Esquires – guitarists Gary Comeau and Paul Huot, who’d recently left The Townsmen, and drummer Richard Patterson. Patterson had just returned home after a three year stint with 3’s A Crowd, and was the only one of …
Despite, or perhaps because of Toronto’s limelight in the formation of Canadian country, Alberta in the late 1960s was a bustling proving ground for young, talented groups. Although considered by the powers in the east to be more of “Country Little League,” groups took what was coming from the US and across Canada. But instead …
Toronto native Candita Pennella began her music career as a teen, often singing at weddings, cultural festivals, and store openings. Always a pop music fan, at the age of 19 she formed a band that consisted of Nino Milazzo on bass, percussionist Paul Russo, and Rich Imbrogno on keyboards. They began playing the local area …
Hailing from Edmonton, Captain Tractor was formed in the early ’90s around vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brock “Skywalker” Armstrong (the only Edmonton-born member), guitarists Chris Wynters (from London, England), Scott Peters (from Dartmouth, NS), drummer Jules Mounteer(also from England),, Manitoba-native Jeff Smook on bass, and Aimee Hill (from Vancouver) on vocals, flute, and percussion. They grew …
By the time Carl Dixon was old enough to go to school, the Sault Ste Marie native was already taking piano lessons. He eventually also picked up a set of drumsticks, and then the guitar, then took vocal lessons – emulating what he was hearing on the radio – The Beatles, The Guess Who, CCR, …
Born in Machester, England in 1950, Carole Ann Pope moved to Scarborough with her family in the late ’50s, amid a melting musical pot that was filled with bustling new sounds that went against the traditionally accepted vein. She hooked up with keyboardist Kevan Staples, and after their duo on the Yorkville strip called O, …
The pride of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Carolyn Dawn Johnson was born into the country lifestyle in 1971 to a farming couple and the youngest of three children. By the time she was old enough to go to school, she was already playing the piano and singing in the church choir. Although she grew up with …
Domenic Troiano memorial Also an alumni of Robbie Lane & The Disciples, when Dominic Troiano left Mandala in 1969, he was looking for a change from the high class big band r&b rhythms. Along with Mandala-mates vocalist Roy Kenner and Pentti ‘Whitey’ Glan on drums, they moved to Arizona early the next year to get …
Argued by many as one of Canada’s greatest fiddle sensations ever, Calvin Vollrath was born in St Paul, Alberta in 1960 into a musical family. His father was Art “Lefty” Vollrath, an accomplished fiddle player, and Calvin was barely a toddler when he was playing along at home. First it was with spoons or knives. …