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
Photos courtesy of Jim, Ritchie and David Henman. Continue reading April Wine – Through the Years in Photos
Before disbanding in the fall of ’73, AW took the summer off for everyone to clear their heads. The band had toured almost non-stop since fall ’70. ” I went camping and fishing with Claire ( my wife) for a few weeks and when I got back I was contacted by a band from California called “The Wackers“. They were living and working out of … Continue reading Ritchie Henman; The Beginning and End of the Dudes
Ritchie Henman along with his brother David and cousin Jim, were the founding members of April Wine. According to Ritchie who currently resides in Dorval,Qc – Wine was created to ‘not be a cover band’ any longer. ” When we disbanded our group Prism in the fall of ’69, I was in engineering at St. Mary’s University in Halifax as was cousin Jim. He and … Continue reading Ritchie Henman – The Beginning of April Wine
He was once and still is referred to as the white Jimi Hendrix. Something which Frank Marino disperses as something he never attempted to be … It is also something the Montreal – born drummer turned guitarist extraordinaire cannot figure out. Even after all these years … ” It all started with a journalist who wrote that I was visited by Hendrix’s spirit and he … Continue reading Frank Marino; Anti -Establishment 101
Photos property of Rick Keene © And Lehomardclubhotography Related articles Jeff Healey meets Rick Keene (keenemusic.wordpress.com) Has a Stranger Ever Asked Where You Get Your Hair Done? (bellasugar.com) Continue reading Strangers in the Night 8
If you want to make it as a Canadian rock star – Upper Canada Village is the place to be … At least that was what April Wine co – founder Jim Henman thought in 1969. ” I do recall wanting to quit university and approaching my cousin David with the idea of starting a band and try to make it.” Says Jim from his … Continue reading Jim Henman – The Man who Placed Myles Goodwyn in April Wine
David Henman, despite having a non – household name and not being known as a ‘star’ in the music world; is a very prolific songwriter. Commencing with April Wine, where all of the members ( except Ritchie ) were excited about the songwriting process, David has been penning tunes for over four decades. ‘Drop your Guns’ was his first commercially successful song. It was included … Continue reading David Henman; The Man behind the Wine – Part Two
Once upon a time … In a galaxy far, far away from iPods. Two cousins sat down in the Old Mill Tavern in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The year was 1969. They ordered a pitcher of beer and complained of the lack of momentum their music had gathered. They thought of putting a new group together. A band which would consist of the brother of one of … Continue reading David Henman; The Man Behind the Wine – Part One
It may have been a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Do the days of the week matter when the phone rings and a Canadian rock legend is waiting on the other end of the call? The bruises linger from the self – inflicted pinching that took place on my right arm as I took the receiver from my ex and spoke to April Wine’s drummer. I arrived at Mr. Mercer’s home the … Continue reading Just Between Jerry Mercer and Me
So there I was… As I stood in front of a mahogany bar that was painted ever so slightly by the morning sunlight, a smile appeared on my face. I had met some of my childhood idols, enjoyed a lustful evening of rock n roll and was pumped to enjoy a day of waitering. A few dollars in my pocket followed by an evening of blues … what … Continue reading Just Between You and Me – Part Three and a Bit …
Le ‘Set – Up ‘ Toting a box of beer up a flight of stairs on a Saturday morning led to an encounter that would shape the rest of my life. Who knew? I was toiling as a waiter in a restaurant named Cajun Blues. The establishment was the ‘outcast ‘among the several bars and restaurants situated in the picturesque town of Ste. Anne … Continue reading Just Between You and Me
Rick Keene Music Scene 