On June 3, 2009 at Convocation Hall(McMaster University), A Celebration of the Music of Jackie Washington was held to to honour the bluesman at the unveiling of the new archives.
From their website: Food4Kids provides packages of healthy food for kids aged 5-14 years with limited or no access to food each weekend. The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
Hamilton's Tom Wilson has been releasing a few beautiful singles lately and he's collected four of them into a digital EP. Tom's unique voice shines through the sparse instrumentation, leaving room for the incredible lyrics to move you.
Dave and Z each received an "Award of Merit" from our hometown, Oakville, Ontario. In part, they say:
"As a founding member of The Kings, your work helped define a pivotal era of Canadian rock music that continues to resonate with audiences across generations. As we recognize you with this Award of Merit, we do so with gratitude for what you have given to Canadian music and to the spirit of our town. Thank you for representing our community with distinction."
It was a fun night for sure, special thanks to Jane and Paige for organizing it!
The award was presented by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, who had this to say on his Instagram page:
I was pleased to present the Town of Oakville Award of Merit to The Kings, recognizing their lasting contribution to Canadian rock music and their Oakville roots.
This honour celebrates local talent that has brought pride to our community and helped shape Canada’s music scene for generations.
It is with sadness that we announce the recent passing of Hamilton drumming legend and solo performer Jack Pedler. He passed away on December 23, 2025. We will update this page as we find out more details. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Not only was Jack a powerful drummer but he was a great friend. His sense of humour was legendary and he always had a hilarious story or joke to impart when we bumped into him. I'll miss you buddy.
Sad news seems to travel fast these days, we've just learned of the passing of the one and only Mr. Jack Pedler, one of the hardest working drummers Hamilton has given us. That's Jackie up front with the Ray Bans on, taken near the old CKOC building at 73 Garfield South in the Hammer. Jack signed on in the late 80's, 1986ish at a pivotal moment when Frankie decided to go solo, and we'd also lost our original drummer, Nick Stipanitz. Jack stayed on for 30 more years, playing easily a 1000 shows right across Canada until 2016 when his health problems began. That's Jack playing on our underrated "Electric Guitar" album released in 1987. Not only could he effortlessly add drums to any song, fast, slow didn't matter, he was a real pro. He called slow songs "Nap", as in taking a nap.
If I was writing a book, there would be one long juicy chapter with Jack stories, the guy had an amazingly hilarious sense of humor, which comes in handy in this business. OK, one story... His very first gig with us was I believe in Regina, 1986. As we passed through customs at Pearson, they're waving the wand down around his crotch and he's trying to push the attendants hand away, as the wand is going off like a Geiger counter at Chernobyl. Tin foil will do that when it's wrapped around a modest amount of personal wacky. I'll never forget them paging Mr. Gord Lewis, Mr. Gord Lewis, please come to the ticket counter. Jackie was remarkably able to catch another flight, and made the show that night. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Rest In Peace laddy.
RIP my fellow beautiful band mate soul brother and great spirit Jack Pedler. We toured the world together. You taught me and everyone how the world really worked. Fairyland it Ain't. Rest easy my brother. The world was happy you Rocked it.
My sweet friend Jack Pedler has left us. His last words to me on Saturday were “I love you, Sis and I’m so proud of you”. I can’t say much more right now other than it’s hard to imagine a world without him in it. My condolences to us all as we all loved him and my heart goes out to his brother Dave and sister-in-law Cath, and sister Joanne.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jack Pedler passing. Another huge loss to the music community. Jack had an incredible sense of humour and was a one of a kind. Everyone knew Jack Pedler not only because of his long tenure in Teenage Head and the multitude of bands he played with but because he was Jack Pedler!! A ferocious drummer that I very much looked up to because he was one of the best hands down.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) provides ALL children with a high quality music education and allows them to explore their creative potential. This program will build self-esteem, develop leadership and teamwork skills and realize a sense of fulfillment. AIFEC will greatly assist in successfully carrying children forward, as vital citizens of their community.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
From their website:The Canadian Heroes Foundation is a Registered Not for Profit organization and is about creating awareness and support for our front line responders, our fallen heroes and families. It is also a tribute to those who have served in the past, present and future.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
From the website: Carpenter Hospice, located in the heart of Burlington, Ontario, provides individuals who are dying, and their families, with high quality palliative care in a home-like setting.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
From their site: Hope for People-Fodivha Inc, is a Canadian Non-Profit Organization partnering with Fodivha Orphanage and School in Thomaseau, Haiti. We work to fund the building of the infrastructure necessary to give children a safe, nurturing environment to live and learn in. Funding also supports a nutritious feeding programme. Currently, 35 orphaned children live at Fodivha and another 300 come to school everyday. It is the only free school in the area, servicing the most marginalized and needy, in this very poor area of Haiti.
100% of your donation to Hope for People – Fodivha goes directly to support the ongoing construction projects at the orphanage and school and to the purchase of food for the children.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
Kitchener Bluesman Mike Elliott steps from out of the shadow of Daddy Long Legs and Elliott & the Audio Kings to craft his own stupendous solo offering. A musical gumbo of rockabilly, fuzzy garage rock and blues, Let You Go grabs you and takes you on a compelling trip.
It is with regret and sadness that we announce the passing of William George Peer (aka Roadkill Bill). He was a great local country musician beloved by many.
From his obituary:
Suddenly on Saturday, April 14. 2009 in his 59th year. Best friend and husband to Janice (Donaven) Peerfor 29 years. Loved father of Laura (Mike) Littlewood, Charlotte, Jessica and McDuff ( the family dog ). Dear Grandpa of Zara and Keely. Predeceased by his parents Fred and Emma Peer. And loved by his brothers and sisters Jack ( Donna ) Peer, Anne ( Andrew ) Dicerni, Lois Lister and Jane Book. Loved by his mother-in-law Joyce "Roz" Donaven, His brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bill had an immense love for hillbilly music and sprint car racing and will be missed by his many friends in both circles. The family would like to thank all of his doctors and staff at St. Joseph's Dialysis unit. Cremation has taken place.
The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week. HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.
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