The music world is reeling after the loss of superstar Robbie Robertson who passed away on August 9, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Robbie was best known as the guitarist and main songwriter with The Band. He also worked with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorcese, local guitarist Bill Dillon and many others. Originally from Six Nations and Brantford, Robbie gained worldwide fame through The Band and his incredible solo work.
Robbie's family released this statement:
Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Centre.
Bill Dillon (Hamilton guitarist who recorded and performed with Robbie)
It's not that I'm at a loss for words
That would be ridiculous, but I have to find some or even one word.
I was born in Toronto in the early 50s and into the 60s so there's the awareness of his guitar playing, it's not about that.
Leaving the Hawk for Bob Dylan, it's not about that
The emerging Band and each of their unbelievable albums, it's not about that.
All the records and TV shows and huge concerts in Europe we did together, the movie soundtracks, the Native records, it's not about that.
I'm crawling out of an abyss I've never had to before with so much difficulty.
Soo many friends gone and artists gone it's been rough enough to say the least.
Dan Lanois gave me the opportunity to experience something I'd only dreamed of all through my formative years, Dan is my friend and I love him dearly.
Robbie Robertson gave me the opportunity to realize my dreams, he's my friend and I love him dearly
So what is it that's so difficult to comprehend for me?
Through the shock and emotional collapse of this loss, while trying to come to grips with the reality, it took my best friend Barb to say the magic words "he trusted you".
That's what this is about, Trust.
These friendships were forged on trust, through every endeavor and every challenge together every success there was that one magic word, trust.
To look into each others eyes and know without saying anything at all, friendship and trust spoke volumes enough to proceed with anything at hand and it Had to come from the heart, That is friendship, that is trust.
No amount of money or success can buy this
No amount of gratitude can convey this
No amount of memories can replace this
That's what I will miss about Robbie: looking him in the eyes and experiencing his trust,in me.
It's humbling, it's devastating, and I find it difficult to trust anybody who doesn't know those two words in their heart.
Robbie Robertson: It's difficult to accept the passing of members of a generation that changed music and in some ways the world along with it. I first heard his name as a teenage musician in Fort William Ontario when I was starting my journey into the world of blues and R&B. It was 1966. No social media then, all word of mouth. Guitar players I would meet spoke of Toronto heroes Domenic Troiano, Robbie Robertson and others in the terms of legend. The word was out, Robbie was the best, a master of the Telecaster. He`d been with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan and story was that he and the Hawks were hiding out somewhere in the U.S. preparing to break out with their own music. And then Music From Big Pink and all the great records that followed.
Personally I was wrapped up in schooling myself, learning my craft in the blues, a landscape I knew The Band had already passed through. My record collection, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and The Band. I`ve always been a fan, the 2nd album, The Band (the brown one) was a wedding present in 1969 and I was fortunate to see three live Band shows before the original lineup wrapped up in 1976. We`re all very fortunate to have lived during an era when Robbie Robertson created music. He gave us a lot to be thankful for.
We all have different and sometimes very unique points of entry or connection with artists. With Robbie Robertson of course I was around when he was playing with Dylan. I bought ‘Big Pink’ the year it was released. I followed The Band’s career arc - as well as much of Robertson’s solo work. But my most felt connection with him was when he collaborated with another one of my most deeply admired musicians, film composer Alex North. North composed the scores for the groundbreaking ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, plus ‘Spartacus’, Liz Taylor's ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and the immortal ‘’Unchained Melody’ among many others. Robbie Robertson and Alex North worked together on the music for 1980’s ‘Carny’.
I used to go with my friend John to the Horseshoe Tavern almost every year to see Colin Linden. He would always bring Rick Danko and Garth Hudson as his guests.
One year the Band was being inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame so Colin did one of his annual shows with Rick and Garth.
John and I were at the front as close as we could get to the stage as usual. I think I was about 18 or 19.
Rumors had been going around that Robbie was going to play. Suddenly, out he stepped onto the Horseshoe stage. Robbie Robertson. With Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. Right in front of my eyes.
I grabbed the 35 mm camera that I snuck in and snapped a couple of quick photos. I’m going to find the negatives one of these days. They did two songs together and it was glorious.
Earlier in the night, Ronnie Hawkins had come out and sang a few songs with them as well.
“Just like the old days in Port Dover, eh Ricky?” I overheard Ronnie say to Rick Danko.
For this teenager, it was a life-changing evening.
Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot passed away Monday, May 1, 2023. The legendary singer/songwriter left an indelible mark in the international music scene. Our condolences to his family friends and fans.
The world is still reeling from the loss of Lightfoot and this is also being felt in the local music scene where quite a few musicians knew and worked with the musical giant.
Long before recording with Gord, long before singing and playing this song (Home From the Forest) in Ronnie (Hawkins)'s room after a gig, and I was still just learning to play guitar a little when I'd first heard it.
How many thousands of songs have I heard and how many I've loved so much how many have I played?
There is one song that from the very first time went beyond anything I knew about anything from a song, inside myself somehow,
I'd spent many a quietly desperate night roaming the dark lonely streets of Toronto when I was young, my dad was also a deeply alcoholic individual, I had an uncle that suffered the same fate in Toronto as the storyline in this song depicts.
I'd spent lonely nights looking down on various Toronto streets at night thru many different windows, I'd watched with heartache Native brothers staggering in rags with paper bags of booze, and many older men huddled in doorways sleeping on steps, these things and much more were in some sense just too hard for my inexperienced mind to come to terms with, somehow in a strange way, it helped me thru the personal pain and hardship of home life knowing I wasn't alone, what's going to become of me? will I wind up like that? them?
And that's just one small angle of the picture
My heart was broken long before it had a chance to experience it's own growth
To this day and to my grave this is the one song of them all that taught me the meaning of life and death in my heart, its taken a lifetime of proof of it's truth
For this one song I've been and will always be grateful for Gord's insight and ability to put it so simply and deeply in words.
Rave On Gordon Lightfoot - My Mother used to come and visit me from time to time when I was a kid. I was maybe six years old or so. One time she showed up with an old portable record player with a shitty needle that made every record I played sound like it had a five o’clock shadow in the grooves.
She came through the door one day with a copy of a record by a guy she used to go see at Steele’s Tavern on Yonge Street. Across the top of the record in big letters LIGHTFOOT and a photo of a guy leaning back in a studio chair holding a guitar up towards the ceiling and looking cool as shit.
The photo alone captured my young imagination. He looked serious, like he knew something that he wanted to tell me.
Dropping the needle on that record changed my life immediately. It was responsible for igniting the devil in me and stirring the sludge up at the bottom of my lake. Everything sounded so real like the guy was standing right there beside me in my bedroom fingerpicking that guitar and singing in my ear. He opened up the doors of possibilities with the haunting Oh Linda, Steel Rail Blues and Rich Man's Spiritual.
Gordon Lightfoot has left us but he lives in our blood. His voice will always raise up our ghosts and reunite us with a tremendous joy we all hold in our hearts but may have forgotten about. Thank you Gordon.
Brian Mee (local fan)
I was in attendance at the Grand Hall at Hamilton Place in Nov 2004 for his first concert back after suffering / recovering from a life threatening aneurysm he incurred in 2002.
Gordon was treated at McMaster Health sciences and he showed his appreciation by donating many tickets to the medical staff that could attend and publically thanked the surgeon that headed the operation that saved hid life.
Understandibly, Gordon was initally a bit shaky to start off with, however the audience positive reaction to see him back on stage soon brought him back to form.
A memorable night and a win win for McMaster Health Sciences since Lightfoot also gave a generous donation to them as well as raised their reputation with the life saving surgery they gleaned with a celebrity patient such as Lightfoot.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton musician/producer Georgie Fab, who was most recently a member of the Rockets. We will post more information on this page as we learn about it. Our condolences to his friends, family and fans.
I was lucky enough to bump into Georgie quite a few times when going to Rockets shows. In addition to doing an amazing job with the music, he was always friendly and welcoming. I'll miss him.
I am just learning that Hamilton Music Producer & Musician, Georgie Fab has passed away.
Wow.. like a hard punch in the gut.
I worked with Georgie as we brought in Sylvain Sylvain to record a song with the Poisoned Aeros. Aside from Georgie being a true professional, he was so laid back and fun to be with. Always hospitable too.
A memory that comes to mind was when Teenage Head recorded a song for TSN's hockey presentations. Nothing was a challenge for him. I sat back and just watched him work his magic.
I will always remember him for having such a big heart. Couple of years before TAH closed, Georgie told me that he wanted to throw a surprise party for Bill Dillon. He had this impressive list of players who were going to perform. The way he orchestrated the planning was just like his work in the studio - professional and effective..... without a glitch.
Rip Georgie Fab. We will miss your beautiful spirit. Your love of music. And your positivity. It was an honor to know you. You made the world a better place.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton drummer, Greg Cannon. He was the drummer for the Florida Razors and many other local groups. We will post the details on this page as we find out about them. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Rave On Greg Cannon. Greg was the coolest guy on the East Mountain when I was a kid. He wasn’t that much older than me but he already had a lifetime of experience playing in bands so when he agreed to play drums is The Florida Razors I was thrilled. We travelled together on the 401 from Detroit through to Montreal and back for five plus years. We laughed our asses off, got into a few mishaps along the way and had the time of our lives. Greg was my dear friend and my brother. Today my heart is broken.
My old friend Greg Cannon, far right,has passed away . . . this pic is from when we worked and played together with David Bradstreet, center, a prince of a human being, I loved him, great drummer funny and loving guy,,this is before he went on to join the Florida Razors with Tom Wilson.
This absolute legend is the inspiration that made me the musician I am today. He taught me to smack the hell out of those drums and when I was worried about breaking the snare skin on the kit he bought us, he was to our surprise sooooo proud. I will try to keep making you proud, uncle Greggy and pass that wisdom on to my kid ... I’m honoured to have the joy of gettin to have you in my life.
Sadly, Canadian music legend Ian Tyson passed away on December 29, 2022. He had many unforgettable hits as a solo artists as well as with his now ex-wife Sylvia Tyson. Ian was also currently signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records.
From the news release (edited):
Canadian Music Legend Ian Tyson Has Died at 89
The family of the late Canadian country legend Ian Tyson, has confirmed the singer-songwriter died from on-going health complications on December 29th, 2022 at his ranch in southern Alberta, Canada at age 89.
Tyson was born to British immigrants in Victoria, and grew up in Duncan B.C. A rough stock rider in his late teens and early twenties, he took up the guitar while recovering from an injury he sustained in a bad fall in the rodeo.
He upped stakes from Vancouver Island and hitchhiked to Toronto, where he met a young singer from small-town Ontario called Sylvia Fricker. As Ian & Sylvia, they were the Canadian stars of the early ’60s folk boom.
After hosting a national Canadian television music show from 1970 to 1975, Tyson realized his dream of returning to the Canadian West. The music and marriage of Ian and Sylvia had ended.
Life has not been without its difficulties, however. In 2006, he seriously damaged his voice after a particularly tough performance at an outdoor country music festival.
“I fought the sound system and I lost,” he said afterwards. With a virus that took months to pass, his smooth voice was now hoarse, grainy, and had lost much of its resonant bottom end. After briefly entertaining thoughts that he would never sing again, he began relearning and reworking his songs to accommodate his “new voice.” To his surprise, audiences now paid rapt attention as he half-spoke, half-sung familiar words, which seemed to reveal new depths for his listeners.
Tyson released his most recent single “You Should Have Known” in September 2017 on Stony Plain Records, the label that Tyson’s released fifteen albums with since the ‘80s. The song unapologetically celebrated the hard living, hard drinking, hard loving cowboy life.
Saw Ian and Sylvia live at a school concert in Collingwood, late 60s,I just happened to be in the area
I did a brief stint with Sylvia in the mid 70s, but that's another story.
But all thru my Yorkville teens they were high on the list of Canadian success stories
Thru their many TV appearances then finally their own show, whenever my folks would be watching it I did too .
But I was soo focused on Ian's right hand, his wrist, anytime they were performing, I remember remarking to my dad, wow look at the way he does that, supple, smooth, loose wrist, the way he strummed and the easy feel, I was deeply inspired to make that a learning curve for myself, if I could.
Then one day while traveling across Canada with the Hawk, we wound up visiting Ian somewhere out west, I was beside myself in hopes I could tell him, and it came to be, I shook his hand as firmly as I could looking into his eyes and told him, I know everybody knows and loves you for your song writing but you're probably the best rhythm player I'd ever known, I've studied you a lot and thanked him for his huge influence upon my learning guitar, I said you and John Lennon are it for me.
I'll always remember that joy in meeting him and the opportunity to tell him in person.
Mostly though, it's the surprise on his face, that kinda "what??" smile on his face and especially in his eyes, when he said well thank you so much son.
The death of Ian Tyson, while not unexpected, hit hard.
In the decades I did publicity for Stony Plain, the label which rejuvenated his career, I suppose I was a gatekeeper — and I turned down lots of media requests, without even consulting his manager, or Ian himself. No, he would not do a two minute interview between the news and the sports on Radio Country Crap Lethbridge — he'd done more interviews than you could count, from the very early 60s until a couple of years ago.
Yes, Ian was one of the grumpiest people I've ever met and he didn't suffer fools for more than 60 seconds (although in more than 15 years he and I never had an argument). I defended him often — underneath his crusty exterior lurked a songwriter of enormous warmth and sensitivity; if you had been offended by his attitude, just listen to his songs.
From his early folk days to his cowboy stories of a disappearing lifestyle, Ian Tyson was one of the best songwriters this country ever had. Safe home, old friend.
Here's a cover from Hamilton artists Matthew and Jill Barber
It's with sadness that we announce that superstar Jerry Doucette passed away on April 18, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer. The Juno-wining music legend was best known for his smash hit 1977 Mama Let Him Play. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Jerry was born in Montreal but moved to Hamilton when he was 4 and spent some of his childhood there. Later he moved to Toronto then Vancouver and BC.
I’m sorry to hear that Jerry Doucette has passed. Tremendously talented musician and Canadian legend. The first time I met him, he shook my soft hand and said “You must be a good guitar player, because it doesn’t feel like you’ve worked a day in your life!’. Sending love to his family.
And now Jerry Doucette!! Gone at 70 yrs young I've known him since the 60s, along with so many of us here. I was just 16 yrs when I'd first met and heard him. Rest In Peace Jerry
Heart with a hole tonight. I've lost a wonderful friend and the memories both good and some bad in our musical treasure hunt way back. At twelve years of age, Jerry was turning heads. I was called upon to listen to the Reefers in a home out in Winona and I drove to the address given. There with the usual start up gear of the day learning Pretty Woman. Jerry was struggling to syncopate the pattern to compliment the drummer, Al Rees, I believe. I was asked to show Jerry the Riff. He was embarrassed, I think. I followed Al into the intro and shared the fingering with Jerry two or three times. Within fifteen minutes he nailed it. In that era, to play Pretty Woman was very cool.
Jerry turned out to be the standout in the band. The ladies were gushing and really turning Jerry crimson at all of The Reefers gigs. He pissed off many of his older peers because of his quick rise to local fame. That started the search for knowledge. One-upmanship was the order of the day. When any of the local bands would play at a High School all of the other groups not working would be on scene to watch the crowd reaction. Jerry would step out front and wail away and stun all of the other Slingers on hand. F%#k Me, did you hear that. One of many phrases used to describe Jerry.
In 1969 I finally had a chance to work in a band with Jerry. Buxton Kastle proved to be a battle ground for Jerry and I. Initially we both tried to be ALPHA AXE. Finally, we helped each other with some personal issues and formed a bond that to this day is sacred. We started encouraging each other during solos and finding perfect harmonies in some brilliant lush fat sounding passages. It was a thing of beauty. From then on we were each other's Wing Man.
As we know Jerry's Momma let him take off to the west coast, where magic took place. His Mama Let Him Play all over North America to packed arenas and festivals. Hamilton had their own 6ft 3inch Guitar God. Jerry had some demons but he also had charisma and attitude. He worked at El Macombo and Budweiser Stage in Toronto. Many of us went to see him kick ass as only he could. Jerry Doucette will always be Our Jerry. Hamilton's own. I loved you, Amigo. As did others. However, no one will remember you or miss you in this arena more than I. Keep Bendin' em my friend. God Bless you.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton/Niagara musician, Paul RK Wheeler Jr. He passed away on April 11, 2022 due to cancer complications. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
I had the pleasure of meeting Paul a number of times over the years. He always had a smile on his face and was filled with boundless energy both on-stage and off. His wonderful attitude was infectious and his talent was immense. I will miss him dearly.
You taught me the history of music out of the Niagara region - heck, going back to the early days of your family's talents. As you shared, acts use to perform in the northern part of USA, crossed the border to perform in the region - only to turn around to continue gigging in the States & onwards to Montreal. Loved your Tuesday (I believe) nights at Tapp's Bar and Grill - the older crowd on Queen Street Downtown - lol. Big Texas Niagara great stuff. You are a force to be reckoned with. You 'bluprinted' musical memories of days gone by - thanks for the notes, thanks for the tales....my peace & love kiddo
So saddened to hear of Paul R K Wheeler Jr.'s passing. Our association dates back to him producing the first Slang CD "Resilience". We had a ton of laughs together, "Uncle Paulie", for anyone who knew him, was a total cut up, just a great fun guy to be around, not to mention his many diverse musical talents. Paul has been a constant on the Niagara music scene for 5 decades. He will be missed. F*ck cancer. RIP Paulie, thoughts are with his family and close friends at this time, condolences to you all.
Back in "the day" I was playing at Uncle Sam's in Niagara Falls. Between sets, I went next door to The Sundowner which, at that time also had bands. I sat down and watched Paul and Jon performing with a band called The Criminals. I thought they were a very good band. Jon was an outstanding guitar player and Paul equally as good playing bass. They had their show nice and polished, wardrobe, posing etc. They left a really strong impression on me.
Sometime later, I get a phone call from Jon asking me If I would be interested in joining their band. Apparently, some agent they were working with at the time wanted to book them on a tour of Quebec and parts of Northern Ontario. I said sure. So we got together in the basement of their house and pounded out the set list. I remember the very first song we jammed on was Crazy Train. It was just new on the charts. While we were jamming you could feel the electricity as well as the uncanny, almost telepathic synergy that Paul and Jon had between them. I thought "we're gonna go over awesome".
A week or two later, I get a call from Jon. He's very pissed off and he tells me that the tour fell through. I don't remember the reason or circumstances. But anyway, I took an offer with another band and we kind of lost touch with one another after that until FB became a thing and I reached out to Paul after Jon's passing. It was obvious that we had mutual respect for each other because in that short period of time that we were a band, we left enough of an impression on each other to remember each other many years down the road. We re-connected through Facebook and spoke occasionally.
That's it. That's my story of working with Paul and Jon. Godspeed and RIP my friend. No pain...you are with Jon now. I hope we can jam again one day!
I lost an old friend of mine to cancer last week. He was a great musician from the "old school" Southern Ontario live music scene. This caricature is my tribute to him.
I am of sound mind and spirit and I wish to express my appreciation to Alex Andronache, Gil Moore, all the staff at Metalworks, for all the great years of mastering that they entrusted me with;
Lindsay and David at Yamaha as well as the crew in Germany for years of generosity for the STEINBERG sponsorship you afforded me. I am very grateful.
I thank every artist whoever entrusted me with their creative output and hope I did each of you proud.
I thank my children for forgiveness I don’t deserve and for the love they felt for me, regardless.
For old dear friends who cared long after I moved on, and for those close friends who endured throughout my life.
Thank you God, for leaving me ears when all else failed me, physically, and now I take my leave. It’s January 4, 2020 at 10:55pm. MJ had to complete this tonight.
It has Been Real!
His wife Mary-Jane Russell left this note on her Facebook page.
Canadian Music Industry Recording Engineer/Producer legend and my partner of 32 years (who I married in late 2018) Nick Blagona, has died at age 74 of complications to kidney, heart and lung disease, last night, January 4th, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Nick Blagona was in fact Nicolai Nicolaiavich Blagonadegny, of Russian/Prussian heritage.
Nick Blagona is survived by me, Alex Blagona, his wife Joanne Blagona and granddaughter Lilia Blagona all of Ipswich, UK and Anna Blagona and granddaughter Mila Blagona of Toronto, Ontario Canada.
There will be no funeral, to Nick’s wishes.
However he hopes folks who cared will gather and make music together, tell stories, play tunes Nick helped record, raise a glass or smoke a wee bit of him in the Spring, close to his birthday in May, at HALO STUDIO on Augusta St. in downtown Hamilton, thanks to Marcone Music.
Nick Blagona, Uncle Nick, Big Nick, The Tone Guru lived a large life and created a Body of world-class musical output that was magic in both quality and quantity. Nick leaves a legacy so few achieve. Thank you
It is with profound sadness that we must announce that our beloved friend and record producer, Nick Blagona died last night. We will miss him terribly, and vow to finish the project we started together a few months ago. It was very important to him. We send our deepest condolences to his beautiful and devoted wife, Mary-Jane Russell.
My heart is broken over the loss of my dear friend, Nick Blagona, who died last night. I am among the lucky individuals who called him a close friend. My last visit with him on Wednesday was more than 2 hours of sharing laughter, stories, and deep thoughts of successes and regrets. My husband Paul and I will miss him terribly, and I weep as I write this. Mary-Jane Russell, his wife, showed such love and devotion throughout all of this, and I can only pray that there is some relief together with the grief, knowing that Nick is now free.
Sad New in Rock History today. Legendary Rock N Roll producer & Engineer Nick Blagona has passed away. RIP.
Nick; I want to thank you for the amazing music you produced through the years, your resume is nothing short of incredible. I remember meeting you in the early 90's taking on a spec project with "Paradise Alley" My first opportunity to work with one of the greats, an you where so freaking cool , Me: are we going to use a click for this track ? .... You : why is your time that bad? Ha .. yah it turned out to be a hell of a track.. thank you for that brother! Also in that time I had the privilege to meet your lovely wife MJ, you two are such an awesome couple always kind and always had encouraging things to say to me which helped me get to where I am. Gracias! Through the years we stayed in touch and kept running into each other, from Ian Gillan's Deep Purple concerts, Tea Party recordings in Metal Werks, while I was tracking with Headstones and later mastering for us. Most recent collaboration with Tommy Grasley. I wish the circumstances were different but with life comes death. You where loved by all who know you and the work you have done is timeless art that will be appreciated forever! Until we meet again brother. Love and respect .
Last words from a man last night with a recording history that others could only dream of, and many in the business of recording, with the highest credentials, hold in esteem and reverence the body of work Nick left behind, a quick look at his discography would reveal many hundreds of famous albums, artists and hit singles too long to list here, but we've All heard them thru our lives.
I worked on only two relatively small projects with Nick and throughout those short weeks the stories and experiences he would share were also the stuff dreams are made of.
Nick helped make dreams come true for soo many artists globally, it's no stretch to say he left behind a major portion of what we've come to know as the recording industry,he was a key figure in its on going success. I'll take a chance here to speak on behalf of all of us in the business around the world in wishing him God bless and thank you Nick.
Nick mixed and mastered my 2015 album Crazy Things and I was over the moon to have him do it. Not only was Nick is a legend who will be dearly missed, but he was a helluva great guy.
Mary, our family and I wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the wonderful Mary-Jane Russell as well as all of Nick’s family and many friends.
Thank you Nick for giving everything you've got to our musical community. I will be forever grateful that you mixed and mastered "Merchants of Youth" and for suggesting I go on tour with Nina Haugen - lol. You got me and I was so lucky to have gotten to know you...read your silly jokes and know that we just lost a genious! Your spirit will live on......may you rest in peace. Love Lynn.
Nick Blagona. A LEGEND.
I was fortunate to work with Nick a number of times. He was funny and brilliant. I loved hearing his stories. His mix and mastering was both genius and magical.
Nick was a generous man. One evening he introduced me to Deep Purple in Hamilton. As we were being introduced, my friend Tom Browner and I experienced the true Love of brothers and true friends when Ian Gillian, Nick and Mary-Jane we’re reunited. You could feel the love.Looking back it was the last time they would see each other after Decades of work. Our favourite songs.
He was “The Tone Guru.”
Nick, I will miss you. Until we meet again,
Keep on ROCKIN. XO
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the talented Hamilton musician, Shawn O'Halloran. He passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 . Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
I was lucky enough to meet Shawn on a number of occasions and considered him a good friend. He was extremely friendly and humble plus had immense musical talent. I will miss him terribly.
There was lots of social media reaction to his passing. Here are a few examples. We will add more as we discover them.
I was glad to have played with him in Trickbag all those years ago...the original Trickbag. Paul and Donna...Larry and Lindsey Shawn and me....The last show I played with Shawn was a CD release show for his last recording...included in that band our friend Carl Horton....also not with us any more. So sad. My pal Michael J. Birthelmer had been working on a new CD of Shawn's...he was a good songwriter...that CD is almost done...so I'm told...you know something? sometimes life seems so unfair...mostly we font get a chance to say goodbye...but we do get to remember the music....rest Shawn...God Bless....
We'd just finished an album that he sang some backgrounds for, he did a beautiful job, what a gorgeous voice, such a lovely guy,, and I was to play on a track for Shawn's yet to be finished and mixed record.
A lifelong member of Hamilton's music community and dear close friend to so many left in shock today, we just turn around and they're gone.
Thank you Shawn for your friendship, your fine example, and your gift to all.
A sad day for NEON MOONERS. Shawn O'Halloran who was our bass player for a few years in NEON MOON passed away. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences to Shawn's family and friends.
He was the bass player in my Father in law Ernie Vargas band years ago and I played with him a few times also. Great guy. I wish I knew him better. I took him up to Gravenhurst once for a weeks gig.
Sonny Del Rio's annual X-Mas bash is always the highlight of the holiday season and this year's edition will be packed with fabulous music. It's also a celebration of Sonny's 75th birthday and a release party for his new live DVD/CD. Even Santa himself is planning a visit to check out the festivities.
For only $20, you 'll get the see all of the incredible bands showcased below at the Leander Boat Club in Hamilton. Sunday, November 25, 2018, 1-5pm. IT'LL BE A MAGICAL NIGHT!
The Pine Street Concert Series always offer the most incredible, intimate music experiences around. It's all held in a beautiful outdoor garden. To reserve your tickets email birthelmer@sympatico.ca or call 905-522-1409.
Here is this year's schedule, along with a few videos:
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