This Day in History: 2022-06-30

June 30
1948: Murray McLauchlan is born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

1955: Helix frontman Brian Vollmer is born in Listowel, Ont.

1956: Kelly Russell, fiddle player for Figgy Duff and the Wonderful Grand Band is born in St John’s, NFLD as James Wade Russell.

1971 Mahogany Rush is in Montreal for a show at Place des Nations.

1972: Wicked Orange opens for Crowbar at the Nanaimo, BC curling rink.

1973: Skylark are on American Bandstand, performing “Wildflower” via a pre-taped video.

1974: Gordon Lightfoot becomes the first Canadian solo artist ever to have a single and album hit the top of Billboard with the album SUNDOWN, and its title track.

1974: Mood Jga Jga is at The Ting in Winnipeg, for the second of two sold-out shows.

1979: The Raes Variety Hour debuts on CBC. Among the first guests is the only Canadian, Patsy Gallant. The show features the Tommy Banks Orchestra, and this first incarnation of the couple’s TV show only runs seven episodes.

1981: Red Rider release their AS FAR AS SIAM album.

1983: Red Rider peaks on Billboard’s chart at #71 with “Young Thing Wild Dreams” for the first of a two week run.

1985: Gordon Lightfoot is in Vancouver for a show at Orpheum Theatre.

1993: Blue Rodeo is in Toronto to do a free show in an empty parking lot behind York Street.

1996: 400 people at a schizophrenia fund-raiser in Peterborough, Ont are treated to a surprise appearance by Willie Nelson and Ringo Starr. It’s revealed the next day that host Ronnie Hawkins had in fact hired impersonators.

1997: Our Lady Peace tops Canada’s RPM singles chart for the second of a three-week run with “Clumsy.”

1997: Rush is in Toronto for a show at Molson Amphitheatre.

1998: Cowboy Junkies release their second and last album for Geffen, MILES FROM OUR HOME.

1998: Alanis Morissette releases the live acoustic mini album SPACE CAKES.

1998: 54-40 release their SINCE WHEN album.

2001: The Co-Dependents are in Calgary at Mecca Cafe in Calgary. The show becomes part of their LIVE RECORDING EVENT album.

2010: A bronze statue of the late jazz great Oscar Peterson is unveiled at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Doing the honour for some reason is the British Queen.

2010: Roadhammer Clayton Bellamy rocks Regina with a solo show.

2012: Valdy is appointed a member of the Order of Canada.

2013: Streetheart is in Lethbridge, Alberta for a show at Joe’s Garage.

2015: Rawlins Cross are on stage in Liverpool, NS at the Astor Theatre.

2015: Roger Roger release the single and video for “Mad Trapper”.

2017: Punch Drunk Cabaret win the Edmonton Music Awards doorstop for best video for “King of Bees.”

2018: Toque is in Vancouver for a show at the Imperial.

2019: Doug Helle releases his new single and video, “You Woke Up Old Beside The Devil.”