On this day in 1970, Janis Joplin was found dead at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood. A heroin overdose is suspected. In an interview I conducted with Jerry Mercer, the iconic drummer for the Triangle, Mashmaakan, April Wine and the Buzz Band – Mercer relayed this tale of a sad encounter with Janis Joplin … Mercer and his band at the time – Mashmaakan, were … Continue reading Janis Joplin – Found Dead Oct.4 1970
An Irishman and Polishman walk into a kitchen … Sounds like a joke doesn’t it? Sounds like two people doesn’t it? In this case, the Polishman and the Irishman are the same person and the things that happened in the kitchen are no joke. Freeman Dre of Toronto,Ontario – explains the origins of the name of his group. “I’m born and raised in Toronto, from … Continue reading Come on to the Kitchen Party!
“I guess I write simple songs …” It is no wonder. Brie Nielson, originally from Vancouver and a current Montrealer – comes from a simple place. “I grew up singing in church, loved musicals, acted and sang in them then started listening to old jazz singers in my teens.” Says Brie as she prepares for her Thursday night album launch at La Salla Rossa.” I … Continue reading A Conversation with Brie Nielson
A music fan or someone who spends hours in front of YouTube or American television feeds is well aware by now … Billy Joe Armstrong- the lead singer for the succesfuI band Green Day, turned into an ‘American idiot’ recently. He lost his composure on stage and in turn – deposited his rockin’ fanny into rehab. In the words of the late, great Amy Winehouse … Continue reading Top Ten Reasons for Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong’s Meltdown
The last thing that comes to mind when a person arrives in the presence of Tracy is softness. Tracy is a biker. Tracy is big. Tracy could send small children running into the arms of their mothers. The kids would tremble yet the Moms just might fall in love … Tracy is a lovable guy who cannot understand the way radio and record companies think. … Continue reading Two Bikers Looking for a Home
Photos courtesy of John Waring Steve Hill Solo Recordings Volume One is available on his website. A can’t miss for fans of the ‘real’ blues … Continue reading Ile Perrot Blues Festival feat. Steve Hill
Outside, it was chilly. The rain came and went like an unwanted vagrant who has pressed his luck panhandling once too often … Inside – the House of Jazz welcomed one and all with it’ s fiery ambiance. A band of bluesmen providing the engine for a warm evening’s jaunt. Drinks were flowing as smiles accompanied the delicious food. Ladies and Gentlemen … I give … Continue reading Carolyn Fe Blues Collective at the House of Jazz
‘Sweet hot chocolate and one hand in my pocket …’ These are some of the lyrics included in Brie Nielson’s ‘ Happy Song’, a tune which is a small part of a bigger ‘ Picture Show’. An album which will be officially launched on October 4 at Sala Rossa – 4848 blvd St. Laurent in Montreal. Alannis Morisette had one hand in her pocket while … Continue reading Brie Neilson – A Happy Song at the ‘Picture Show’
When Steve Hill was a lad, he discovered the blues much the same way many people do. Through the music and words of others… “Everytime I would hear guys like Jimmy Page talk about music, they would always be talking about people like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Robert Johnson. This is how I learned the blues, by listening to my heroes’ heroes.” For Steve … Continue reading Steve Hill; Back Where he Started
Juno Award winner David Usher is releasing his eighth studio solo album; ‘Songs From The Last Day On Earth’. The album will be released on October 2nd through MapleMusic Recordings. Rice Paper / Partir Ailleur, is the first.single to be released and is currently circulating on radio. A video for the song was shot by award winning Quebec short film director Arnaud Brisebois. According to … Continue reading David Usher; Songs from the Last Day on Earth
It seems nowadays – everyone does a duet together … From Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett to Carlos Santana and Rob ( whatever happened to him?) Thomas. Yes – the unlikeliest of pairs unite. Was it Michael Jackson who started the trend when he hooked up with ex- Beatle Paul McCartney to sing ‘ Say, Say , Say‘? Or – maybe it was Stevie Wonder … Continue reading Top Ten Duets You Will Never See
Last year, Rick Gunn was diagnosed with stage three myltiple myeloma. Previous to this, he had gone to the hospital many times, over a period of many months, suffering from extreme back pain. On each occasion, he was given painkillers and sent on his way. At one point – he was forcibly removed from a hospital and told that it was not a hotel. Finally, … Continue reading Rick Gunn – A Battler
Rick Keene Music Scene 