Classic Rock – Page 3 – Is It Possible To See It All

Montrose, 1975. Clockwise from top left: Alan ... — Image via Wikipedia

I woke up this morning to the news of guitarist Ronnie Montrose passing away. A founding member of rock icon band, Montrose, he died of prostate cancer at the age of 64. Ronnie’s career reads like a who’s who of rock and roll. He played on Van Morrison’s classic album, Tupelo Honey. He played with Edgar Winter, Herbie Hancock, Gary Wright, The Neville Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Winter and the Beau Brummels. He is best known (for me) as the creator of Montrose along with Sammy Hagar. This band became rock and roll icons in the 70’s with the release of “Montrose” in 1973. They recorded 4 albums in the period to 1976 before breaking up. A sad day for me.

Bad Motor Scooter

Legendary Guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE Passes (bravewords.com)
Legendary Rock Guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE Dead At 64 (roadrunnerrecords.com)

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 13

Tonight we will be hearing from two classic rock bands, a maritime treasure with a violin, a Roch and Roller and a 21st century Canadian group who split much to early.

1. Roch Voisine

“Shout Out Loud”

This is a live version of this song that Roch performed at a Canada Day celebration. The band is very tight with a great sax solo. Roch is a very consistent performer, always hitting his mark.

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2. Natalie MacMaster

“Catharsis”

If you like your fiddling to be Celtic, then you will love this. Natalie MacMaster is a virtuoso in this discipline.

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3. Doug & the Slugs

“Day by Day”

Good story about this band. At one point in my life, I lived in a town with about 3,000 people. The bar in town brought this band in to play a one night stand. Bar could only hold about 250 patrons, but they managed to pack in about 400 of us. Great night, huge party. Then the encore. A huge fight breaks out and Doug is surrounded by bouncers and escorted through the mayhem. All in all, a terrific evening in Saskatchewan. I even made about 50 bucks at the pool table. Ahhh, memories. Unfortunately, Doug Bennett passed away a few years back, glad I did get to see them.

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4. Pat Travers

“Boom Boom (Out go the Lights)”

You want some rock and roll. I can’t hear you, Do you want some ROCK AND ROLL. I can still remember my mullet.

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5. Alexisonfire

“Young Cardinals”

A great band that broke up before it’s time. Dallas Green has an insane heavy metal singing voice.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 12 (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)
Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 11 (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 12

Today’s edition includes a couple of classic rock songs, some country, an 80’s pop queen and a more current dive. A so-so set in my view, but all are essential Canadian artists with their own place in our musical history.

1. Glass Tiger

“I’m Still Searching”

Released in 1988, this is one of my favourite songs by Glass Tiger. This is the second entry by the band in the top 500.

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2. Dalbello

“Gonna Get Close to You”

Not my favourite song by Lisa Dalbello, but this was a major hit for her back in the day. Born in Toronto, she had a string of hits from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s.

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3. Platinum Blonde

“It Doesn’t Really Matter”

Another classic rock band from Toronto, they started life as a Police tribute band. Their main period was Mid 80’s to early 90’s. Interesting band.

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4. Prairie Oyster

“One Precious Love”

Prairie Oyster have been around since the mid 70’s and are still touring and recording. They are members of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2008) and have won 6 Juno Awards as best country group or duo. For those of you wondering what a prairie oyster is, thing demi-glasse, freshly castrated bull testicles. apparently a delicacy, but not one I’ll be sampling any time soon.

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5. Celine Dion

” Where Does My Heart Beat Now”

Celine Dion, what else can be said. She may be Canada’s biggest export. We had the opportunity to see her in 1990, before she was anywhere close to big. It would have been in a 300 seat hall in St. Albert, AB. Missed it, messed up. C’est la vie.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 10 (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)
Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 9 (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)

Remembering Clive Shakespeare

Australian guitarist Clive Shakespeare passed away on February 15. He was 62. Born in England, he had moved to Australia with his family in 1949. He will be best remembered as the lead guitarist for the band Sherbet. You may remember this hit from 1975.

Summer Love

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The band also made some chart noise with this tune. It reached #4 in the UK and #61 in the USA.

Howzat

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He left the band prior to Howzat, but joined with them on several reunion tours.

Old music: Sherbet – Cassandra (guardian.co.uk)

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 11

In this edition of Canada’s essential 500 songs we have an acclaimed producer, writer, singer, 2 more classics from Canadian icons, and a couple of classic rockers, one from the 70’s and the other a bit more recent. A pretty good set for you.

1. Daniel Lanois

“Shine”

Daniel Lanois is the acclaimed one noted above. He has produced albums for Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Ron Sexsmith, Neil Young and Peter Gabriel. This, in addition to writing and playing classics such as “Shine”. As you are listening to this tune, read the lyrics. Good writer.

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2. Burton Cummings

“Stand Tall”

Another classic from Burton Cummings. Likely my favorite solo song by Burton Cummings. It has echoes of the Guess Who classic “These Eyes”.

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3. Simply Saucer

“Electro Rock”

Canadian punk legends from the mid 70’s, Simply Saucer join the list with their classic “Electro Rock. Daniel Lanois produced some of their material back then as well. Small world.