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
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
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 …
Rick Keene Music Scene 