Ask Dave the Bartender; Episode Eight

He knows where you’ve been sleeping, he knows who you’ve been sleeping with … He knows if you are naughty. He knows if you are nice. There is not much he does not know, hear or see. Then – he goes to work behind the bar … He is … Dave the Bartender … Got a Question for Dave the Bartender? Rickkeene2@gmail.com     Continue reading Ask Dave the Bartender; Episode Eight

Gary Moffet – Former April Wine Guitarist … The Future is Bright!

Gary Moffet Joins April Wine! In 1971, Gary was developing a band for AQUARIUS RECORDS called ALLISON GROSS. He  had been working with the band as their producer for about a year and a half. Working  on their arrangements with them in their rehearsal space and  using his portable recording rig to cut the band track. Then he would work on the vocals with the … Continue reading Gary Moffet – Former April Wine Guitarist … The Future is Bright!

This Week on Rick Keene Music Scene …

Just like a household with nineteen children … There is a lot going on Rick Keene Music Scene. Kick off your shoes, disconnect the telephone wire and discover a whole bunch of stuff including a couple of new songs and some words from Jerry Mercer of April Wine fame. Join Sean Mckeogh and myself live on k103.7fm this Thursday @ 6:15pm We welcome Gary Moffet … Continue reading This Week on Rick Keene Music Scene …

Pssst! April Wine Rocks! (Just Between You and Me)

The year was 1981 … Hockey’s New York Islanders won their second of what would become four Stanley Cups. Actress Natalie Wood died in what was an ‘apparent’ and questionable drowning. The film ‘Cannonball Run‘ – starring Burt Reynolds, was enticing people everywhere to race the world disregarding rules and general etiquette. On the music front – MTV began its sucessful run giving music another … Continue reading Pssst! April Wine Rocks! (Just Between You and Me)

Jim Henman Still Has That ‘Same Old Feeling ‘ …

It has been a long time since Jim Henman recruited Myles Goodwyn to play in a band which became known as April Wine … All these years later, Mr. Henman – a pioneer in Canadian music, has a new album and it is a return to his roots. All the music he loved growing up – returns to haunt the musician along with his many … Continue reading Jim Henman Still Has That ‘Same Old Feeling ‘ …

Old ( er ) Musicians Never Die – They Play with their Sons …

The above photo was sent to me by Mr. Wayne Cullen. Wayne – along with Ritchie Henman ( the original drummer in April Wine), were the two drummers in The Dudes, one of the best bands to play in Montreal in the 1970’s. The group included David Henman and Brian Greenway of past and future April Wine fame respectively. Wayne is pictured above in his … Continue reading Old ( er ) Musicians Never Die – They Play with their Sons …

All the Young Dudes; Part Four

Wayne Cullen – one of the drummers in the 70’s band; ‘The Dudes’ – continues the saga of the demise of a band. A fate which should never have happened … Cullen’s band – Bacchus, reached it’s demise around the same time Wayne’s favourite group, The Wackers, played their final gig. Cullen approached Bacchus’ booking agent (who also booked the Wackers) and asked for Bob Segarini’s … Continue reading All the Young Dudes; Part Four

Ritchie Henman; The Beginning and End of the Dudes

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

Jim Henman – The Man who Placed Myles Goodwyn in April Wine

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; The Man Behind the Wine – Part One

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

Just Between Jerry Mercer and Me – Part Two

Pierre Senecal, Brian Edwards and Rayburn Blake first met in 1960 in Montreal. Their drummer did not show up one night for a gig, so Jerry Mercer was brought in and ended up joining the band. Brian Edwards quit the band and they continued playing under the names; the Phantoms, Ray Blake’s Combo and the Dominoes. By 1965 they were calling themselves The Triangle. R&B singer Trevor Payne was the singer and … Continue reading Just Between Jerry Mercer and Me – Part Two

Just Between You and Me – Part Three and a Bit …

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 …