March to the beat of your own drum. Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to Rush drummer Neil Peart. Peart – passed away January 7th, 2020 at the age of 67 following a three year private battle with brain cancer. One of the greatest drummers in Rock n Roll and music history – is no longer here. For the most part, Peart … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Rest in Peace Neil Peart
Sheldon Kagan has been around … From his humble beginnings in a bachelor apartment at the age of fifteen to introducing Jazz legend Miles Davis on stage – Mr. Kagan has a few stories to tell. Please listen to his tales of playing cards at his home with Artie Shaw and how he feels about Miles Davis – all these years later … A true … Continue reading Sheldon Kagan; Memories of a Concert Promoter
Hometown boy turned man; Gino Vannelli, is coming back to Montreal in November … What else is new? The man who started his musical career as a drummer in Montreal and a current resident of Portland,Oregon – often comes home. He frequently visits his Mom and was most recently in Ste. Agathe to play a festival. He was also in Montreal scouting out the location … Continue reading Gino Vannelli – All Those Nights in Montreal …
“I was always banging on things …” Admits legendary drummer Vinny Appice. ” I started at around ten years of age. My brother Carmine, who is eleven years older than me – showed me some things but he was, at that point, always on the road. I took lessons from the same guy that taught him.” Vinny and Carmine Appice are drum playing brothers from … Continue reading Vinny Appice; All in the Family; Part One
A funny thing happened on the way to success for Montreal born Dwane Rechil. He hit the blues … again! “It’s funny …” Says the forty – seven-year old singer, songwriter and guitar master. ” For years playing in my heavy rock band Top Johnny, I was always waiting for success to come. I was always on edge, never quite content with what I was … Continue reading Texarillo; The Blues Come Full Circle
The men behind the scenes. The backbone of most bands. The guys whose mistakes can nullify anything in a heartbeat … To narrow down a list of the best drummers is next to impossible – here is a (rim) shot at just that … Ginger Baker Stewart Copeland Jimmy Chamberlain Terry Bozzio Keith Moon Mike Portnoy Neil Peart John Bonham Gene Krupa Buddy Rich Related … Continue reading Top Ten Drummers
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
Rick Keene Music Scene 