There’s just something about music. We see in movies how different types of music are used to quickly help us transcend into the scene’s mood of a thriller, a mystery, a love story or tear jerker. We see how rock music classics are now used to sell us trucks, cleaning, food or hygienic supplies. We can all recollect times when we’ve seen music overcome language barriers as people from different countries join in common song, share a dance or jointly smile approval of the tune. Music… there’s just something about it that has always seemed a natural, necessary part of my life.
Since most feel I’ve never grown up, let’s just say I was born and got older in the west end suburbia of Toronto. Music was always on in my parent’s home, mostly show tunes, choirs singing hymns, a smattering of jazz and some classical. A neighbour’s garage radio exposed me to the early rock and roll thanks to early CHUM AM. When I hear early Elvis or Patsy Cline I’m still transported back to that magical, greasy place.
The 60’s in Toronto were a time of much musical growth and as I gained access to the city, especially downtown via public transit, my whole musical world expanded. Though the drinking age changed to 18 years of age from 21 when I was 18, I’d already been successful at sneaking into Yonge Street clubs like the Colonial or Le Coq D’or to hear live jazz from Stan Getz and local Moe Koffman or blues by T-Bone Walker or local Ronnie Hawkins. Yorkville brought folk like Dan Hill or Murray McLauchlan I’d often travel downtown or hitchhike across town on my own to experience someone I’d read about or heard on the radio.
The late 60’s and 70’s brought live music everywhere. Because of better equipment outdoor concerts happened regularly at Toronto City Hall or Rochdale College, High Park or Toronto Island and many were my favourite kind … free. Line ups included horn bands like Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse or the Stone Soul Children. Several high school classmates are still in various aspects of the music business. Tom Cochrane was in a high school band with Dean Cameron, President of EMI Canada. Others are successful session players, singer / songwriters or involved in musical productions like Lion King or Mama Mia.
My brother Drew, 3 years younger seemed to get bit by the same music bug because he’s always influenced my tastes including my favourite band Little Feat, some 35 years ago. He went on to be lighting director for Bruce Cockburn for a few years and crewing for tons of great acts coming through Toronto. This allowed me to get “up close” to the heart of many shows.
I assumed everyone had the same opportunity to be caught by the “live music bug” as I did and it wasn’t until I moved to North Bay in ‘78 that I realized how spoiled I’d become with live music availability. From then on it became my personal cause to expose those around me with good music. For the past 25 years I’ve made compilation tapes of artists I’d hear at summer music festivals or on radio or bars so friends could hear great music they would never get the opportunity to be exposed to. My past 15 years with Stewart Park Festival has allowed me to continue with my cause.
As I celebrate my birth today, I also celebrate the birth of this newspaper column “Musical Musings” from which I hope share my “music bug” on an “as I can” basis to all who choose to read about local interests, house concerts, interviews. Please support Live Music. Be talking to you soon.