Ray Davies of The Kinks. Seeing Ray at Winspear, row 1, was a privilege. He played all their hits.
I grew up in Winnipeg going to high school dances seeing Chad (“Shakin’ All Over”) before he left and the band became The Guess Who. He sent this to me, personally, in the 2000s.
So many famous women folk singers and so little time. Met Suzanne at the Arden in St. Albert.
I was a long-time fan since her Wildflowers album and after seeing her live at U of M in 1968 after “Both Sides Now” came out. The most beautiful voice of all the female folk singers.
What a slice to meet Janis; she was surprisingly diminutive and kindly signed a Between the Lines album to ‘Richard’ after her fabulous concert. An excellent songwriter with a nice catalogue.
Sang at the famous Washington March of Dr. King. Helped launch Dylan’s stage career and was involved in innumerable causes. Both her voices (early and late) are memorable. Saw her at Winspear, touring with her son. A must-see recently honored by the Kennedy Centre.
A Canadian and Albertan Legend going back to Ian and Sylvia folk days. Saw Ian (and Sylvia) several times. Great live shows. Their raw, full-throttle a cappella songs drove shivers up the spine!
My first and favorite folk group, though Peter, Paul, and Mary outsold them. Bob Shane, who kept the group going with other members, recently passed; he was the last original member to go. John Stewart, also deceased, replaced Dave when he left the group–a move he always regretted.
Still goin’ strong. The top Aboriginal-Canadian performer of all time going back to the folk sixties. Writer of many hits. terrific voice. I’ve seen her in concert several times (once in row 1 @ Citadel Theatre) and was the first person to meet her after her first show at Festival Place, Sherwood Park. Surprisingly diminutive, but beautiful, and beautifully dressed.
The front man of ’60s US group The Rascals.: “Good Lovin'”, “Groovin'”. Headed a hot band at Festival Place; we had front table seats. Still got a great voice; a consummate entertainer.
Saw at both Festival Place and Century Casino Showroom. Two originals remain. Played their many hits including “Bumble Bee” which I personally requested, which they hadn’t played in a long-time; it was a top 20 hit in Winnipeg.
Went to 2 Zombies concerts at Century Casino Showroom. They played the entire classic Odessey and Oracle album letter-perfect and then some. “Time of the Season”, “Tell Her No”, “She’s Not There”. A personal thrill to meet keyboardist-leader Rod Argent and singer Colin Blundstone of the ‘zombie’ voice.
The first hard-rock group of all-time. Started in the ’60s with an incredible run of guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page. Saw them twice at Century Casino Showroom and met them in the dressing room after. There were still two original members left. “For Your Love”, “Heartful of Soul”, “Shapes of Things”, “Over, Under Sideways Down”, “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” plus the original version of “Dazed and Confused”. Not to be missed.
Saw Johnny live three times; met him once @ Winspear. Nice guy, great songwriter, singer, and dancer. Died much too early. This was the album that introduced me to his music and made me a huge fan.
Always liked his early material. He was still performing until recently. Saw him @ the Edmonton Folk Festival. I still sing his “Catch the Wind” and “Sunshine Superman”.
The hottest of jazz guitarists today. Played with Steps Ahead and many others. Seen him live a few times, once @ the Winspear where I met him afterward and we talked of legendary Winnipeg guitarist Lenny Breau.
I like these guys as much as The Guess Who. They put on an incredible three-man-show. Saw them 2 x @ Century Casino Showroom and met them twice. ‘Real people’; very friendly. All the hits still sound great!
A rare signed letter from Dave Brubeck, writer of “Take Five”, the best-selling jazz single of all time. A truly nice guy as you can read. Very honest.
One of my favorite British Invasion bands was The Animals. Eric’s voice is unique and very soulful. He was performing until recently. I had the privilege of sitting at a table in front of him at the old Sidewalk Cafe in Edmonton. He has a terrific sense of humor.
The Winnipeg and Canadian Rock Legend (The Guess Who, Brave Belt, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive). Seen him about 15-20 times. Met him once @ The Yardbird Suite in Edmonton playing his jazz songs. ‘Grew up with him’, seeing and hearing him at high school and university dances.
Great voice; beautiful songs.
My favorite Canadian folk singer of all-time. Seen Bruce many times live, row 1 a couple of times. I think he’s the best folk guitarist and have long been impressed by his many songs and concerts. He signed my own textbook beside his “Wonderin’ Where the Lions Are” song lyric and once I talked with him about his memoir before it came out. Nice guy.
This was a must-have acquisition on a favorite album, for my wife.
Gord I’ve seen many times through his career up until recently. The songs speak for themselves; the most impressive song catalogue of anyone in Canada. This is a photo from his early folk days (’66-67 or so at The Riverboat in T.O).
Jimmie Rodgers was a penpal until he passed recently. He had many ’50s and ’60s hits like “Honeycomb”, “Child of Clay”, and “Bimbombey”.
Not signed, but thought to include– a rare photo of Lenny in Stanley Park, 1978, taken by David Boswell. Picked this up @ the eccentric Macleod’s Books in Vancouver.