  As one of the country’s hottest young guitarists, Tony Dellacroce leads the wave in the resurgence in Canadian Classic Rock. The Guelph, Ontario native began his musical odyssey early in life, picking up the guitar at age 7 and taking lessons until 13 at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. Aside from proper training, the time spent at the Conservatory also introduced Tony to his first taste of ‘musical competition’, entering various contests against other students right across the country.His rock influences at this critical stage were as varied as his playing is today – Van Halen, Rhoads, Iommi, Satriani, Blackmore and Canadians Alex Lifeson of Rush and the late Brian ‘Too Loud’ MacLeod to name a few. “I learned progressive rock, funk/rock, blues, and dabble in any other style I can get my hands on”. After moving to Vancouver in ’91, he freelanced with several groups, including three years with Nigel Mack, making appearances on both studio and live recordings, HIGH PRICE TO PAY and ROAD RAGE, as well as touring the US’s biggest blues markets, Chicago, Kansas City and St Louis. He landed the duties of head technician for famed Vancouver blues house The Yale in the mid-90’s. Working with such artists as Buddy Guy, Savoy Brown, Alannah Myles, Jeff Healey, Powder Blues Band and Long John Baldry exposed him to an obviously wide array of styles. He began touring with legendary act Jerry Doucette (Nobody/Mama Let Him Play), quickly making a name for himself around the country for his brash, unbridled rock style. His 6 years spent with the Douce resulted in two cd’s, VINTAGE, a combination greatest hits/live package, in which Tony was in charge of the production, engineering, graphics and general conception as well as playing on the 3 live cuts. He also appeared with Doucette on a compilation album called LIVE AT THE YALE . His passion for his craft caught the attention of Bernie Aubin, Doucette‘s booking agent and famed drummer for The Headpins, who signed Tony to The ‘Pins in the summer of 2000. Several mini-tours across the country further entrenched Tony as one of the most gifted musicians to hit the Canadian rock scene in a long time. Also a part of Lee Aaron‘s touring entourage only solidified this ranking. His musical tastes and influences run the entire musical spectrum, including The Allmans, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rick Derringer and Canned Heat, Charles Brown and John Musslewhite. But he makes no bones about it he’s a rocker at heart. When referring to the late Brian ‘Too Loud’ MacLeod, one of the founders of The Headpins, he states “The other guy was just a whisper”. Lofty boots to fill, Tony’s not only holding his own, but wowwing audiences time and again and being heralded as one of the people filling a large musical void right now. There’s no doubt Canada will continue to play a key role in the ongoing resurgance of classic rock. In Tony Dellacroce, we’re treated to one of the finest of the new breed. With The Headpins scheduled to record their first album since ’85 in the near future, fans will be treated to the best of both worlds – one of the best groups exported from Canada, and one of the hottest guitarists leading the way.
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