This Day in History: 2022-06-14

June 14
1894: The doors to Toronto’s Massey Hall open for the first time, with a performance of Handel’s “Messiah.”

1937: “The Happy Gang” troupe of musicians, led by singer pianist Bert Pearl, make their first broadcast on station CRCT, a CBC affiliate in Toronto.

1938: Pacific Salt‘s Ian MacDougall is born in Calgary.

1969: Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey are calling themselves Hadrian with bassist Joe Perna. They’re in Willowdale, Ontario for a show at the Northminster United Church.

1969: Gordon Lightfoot is a guest on The Johnny Cash Show.

1975: BTO tops Canada’s RPM singles chart for two weeks with “Hey You” for the second straight week.

1977: Teaze opens for Triumph at the Exhibition Auditorium in Regina.

1977: The Poles are in New York for a show at CBGB.

1979: Burton Cummings is in Kamloops, BC for a show at the Memorial Auditorium.

1985: Corey Hart releases the BOY IN THE BOX album.

1989: Bruce Cockburn receives an honorary doctorate of letters degree from York University in Toronto for his work in aid of humanitarian causes.

1994: A 100th anniversary concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall features performances by Gordon Lightfoot and Blue Rodeo, among others.

1997: Rush‘s show in Chicago’s World Music Theatre is taped for the DIFFERENT STAGES album.

2002: Michelle Wright is in Zambia, filming a documentary for World Vision.

2002: Headstones release their THE ORACLE OF HI-FI album.

2005: 54-40 releases YES TO EVERYTHING on True North Records.

2006: Chris Jan releases his album, FLY.

2007: Corey Hart releases WORDS LIKE WILDIRE.

2007: Finger Eleven is at the NHL Awards Show, where they perform “Paralyzer.”

2008: Billy Talent are in Oslo, Norway for the Norweigan Wood Festival. It’s the first time they play their upcoming single, “Turn Your Back.”

2010: Danko Jones releases his new album, BELOW THE BELT in the UK.

2011: Theory of a Deadman releae the single, “Out Of My Head.”

2011: Blackie & The Rodeo Kings release their seventh album, KINGS & QUEENS.

2012: Gordon Lightfoot is inducted in the American Songwriters Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York.

2013: Matt Epp & the Amorian Assembly release their LEARNING TO LOSE CONTROL album.

2014: Chilliwack is in Burlington, Ontario for the Sound of Music Festival.

2017: Annihilator is in Victoria, BC for the second of a two-night run at Distrikt Nightclub.

2018: Producer George Semkiw passes away peacefully at the age of 74.