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| Doug Parker/Associated Press |
His great sax-man, Lee Allan was my greatest influence in starting to play the sax in 1957. There will never be another like Fats Domino. His music will live forever. R.I.P. FatsDave Rave
Fats Domino was the soul of Rock and Roll. The Heartbeat of New Orleans. I loved his music. The Shakers performed I'm Ready. And one of the greatest performers I ever saw. Fats Domino RIP. IrreplaceableJesse O'Brien
RIP Fats Domino - he helped pave the way for all New Orleans style piano players and I hope he rests in peace on top of that Blueberry Hill.Lily Sazz (Cootes Paradise)
Fats Domino was a pioneer of that distinctive New Orleans R&B sound, and he was one of the classic R&B musicians to contribute to the birth of 1950s rock 'n' roll. I think that all piano players in the blues or jazz genres have been influenced by him, whether they know it or not, through those that Fats, in turn, influenced. That's a legacy for us all to be grateful for. RIP Fats. Another great one gone.Rick Prinsthal (Rick and the 3D's)
I saw him @ Lulu's in Kitchener in the late 80's - opened for Jerry Lee Lewis - spectacular show!!Greg Brisco
Incredibly sad with the passing of the greats. He was one of them. How boring life may have been without his music. I hate to think of the butterfly effect if Blueberry Hill or Ain't That a Shame were never recorded by him.
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| Pic courtesy of DizzyGillespie.com |
Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.
Gord knew this day was coming — his response was to spend this precious time as he always had — making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss on the lips.
Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.
We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord’s bandmates, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years.
Thank you everyone for all the respect, admiration and love you have given Gord throughout the years — those tender offerings touched his heart and he takes them with him now as he walks among the stars.
Love you forever Gord.
The Downie FamilyLocal reaction from social media.
The very first time I met Gord Downie was in Ottawa at Barrymore's. I think The Hip's first album just came out. We started chatting about music. I asked him what some of his fave bands were. Within the first 3 names, TEENAGE HEAD was mentioned. Not a bad way to meet a singer in a rock n roll band. RIP Gord Downie.Brandon P. General (My Flying Machine)
Gord Downie wasn't just the Hip. He was a spokesman for the country. Whenever he had the chance, he spoke for us.
As an indigenous person, I felt the things he said on a personal level. He spoke for the rights of all of us and spent his last days fighting for us.
We all knew it was coming, but we all hoped he would fight it. He can't be cut down so needlessly. We all hoped that he would beat this.
As a Canadian, it's a huge loss. He was the benchmark for what someone in his position should do with their fame. I will be listening to The Hip today with the rest of you and mourning the loss. RIP Gord Downie
Gord Downie. Thank you for being such a beautiful example of what it is like to be Canadian. We are blessed to have shared this lifetime with your music and your stories. You have created new folklore to pass through the generations and have left a powerful legacy of pride, hope, love and togetherness.In his honour, here are a few area performers covering Gord's amazing work.
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| Picture courtesy of Juneyt's Facebook page |
It’s an amazing feeling and I'm so blessed to share this news with all of you.
I am incredibly proud & lucky to call this beautiful region, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge & Guelph, my home...
I love each and every one of you, you all mean so much to me. I can’t thank you enough for your support, I have so much to look forward to, stay tunedCONGRATS!
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| Treble with host Christopher Clause |
Toronto blues guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Dan McKinnon received the $ 2,000 ALGMS bursary at the 6th annual fundraiser on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. His winning proposal outlined plans to support a new recording that will be released in 2018. The presentation was made by Grossman's owner Christina Louie and 2016 ALGMS recipient Raha Javinfar (Bad Luck Woman and Her Misfortunes). McKinnon also won The Toronto Blues Society’s Talent Search in June.
I would like to take the time to thank Grossman's Tavern and the Louie Family for awarding me with this year's Amy Louie Grossmans Music Scholarship.
Back in 2008, I got my start playing blues by attending their legendary Sunday Night Jam, hosted by the great Brian Cober. While I was greener than a blade of grass at the time, both Brian and Bill Hedefine were more than generous when it came to giving me opportunities to play. Even if there were moments in those early years when I sounded like a "pet store on fire", they both always encouraged me to keep going and to keep working hard. I'm glad I chose to listen.
The scholarship funds will go towards the making of my next record, which will be released in the spring of 2018.
A special thank you goes to all of the musicians who performed at last night's fundraiser, as well as to Bad Luck Woman and Her Misfortunes for hosting the event.
