On Sunday, June 28, 2009 @ The Studio at Hamilton Place, a wonderful celebration of life was held for Hamilton musician and newsman Randy Steele, who passed away on May 22, 2009.
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.
Sold on Hamilton is generally broadcast on the first Saturday on the month between 11am and 12pm. It is hosted by Judy Marsales, owner of Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd (a proud HBL sponsor) and an amazing local music supporter. The program showcases the best and brightest citizens of the Hammer, including many musicians. Judy also discusses the Hamilton housing market.
It blossomed from what was meant to be an episode of Dave's YouTube series on abandoned properties. He had heard about a cabin in the woods near Burlington. It turns out to have belonged to Hamilton native Bob Lanois. Intrigued, Dave expanded it to be his first full-length documentary, this time focusing on Bob's life.
The in-depth look includes interviews with many luminaries of the music scene, including.
There are many tales to tell in I'm Your Boyfriend, the breathtaking new album from Burlington singer-songwriter, Judi Rideout. Fascinating characters come to life as we experience their passions, sorrows and joys. This is a Roots/Country/Americana masterpiece.
Both Judi's lyrics and vocals carry emotional heft. This, along with the stirring instrumentals entice us into the interesting narratives.
On the album, Judi ably handles the vocals and acoustic guitar. Joining her are the late, great Bob Lanois, (harmonies and harmonica), Mark Foley (electric guitar and bass) and Sonnie Bernardi of Crowbar on drums.
You can listen and/or download this phenomenal album on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music and other online sources.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of local producer, sound engineer, songwriter and musician Bob Lanois. He passed away on April 19, 2021. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
I was lucky enough to spend a short time in the orbit of Bob Lanois about 15 years ago and his charismatic presence and ferocious belief in truth, as the root and foundation of art and performance left a full body tattoo on my soul! He took me aside and told me what’s what. “Play it straight!” I knew exactly what he meant. Tell the Truth! Love.
My Mother passed away in 2006. Couple of weeks after my Mom's funeral, I ran into Bob at a show at the Corktown Tavern. Bob gave me a big hug and passed on his condolences. He mentioned to me that a child's love for his or her Mother is the most unique love in the world. While sharing this, Bob said to me - "Lou, I will always be a Momma's Boy" Every time I saw Bob, I remembered that moment.
It was always wonderful seeing Bob @ This Ain't Hollywood to see shows. Such a friendly, unique happy soul. Sending my condolences to his family workmates and closest friends. Goodbye Bob.
Dave Gilbey
Bob Lanois and Glen Marshall welcomed me and Tim O'Reilly into their space with open arms. My favourite part of the many shoots we did at the Mule Spinner was the chance to talk with Bob. He gave me encouragement when I needed it and told me I should tell people to screw off if they were unsure of my motives. He gave me advice in a world that was not mine.
William Schwendiman
Throughout my "career" booking live music, I've taken a lot of pride in working with the seminal builders of our Hamilton Music community.
When Bob approached me to host the release party for his solo album, "Snake Road", I was honored he'd ask.
His words, "Brodie you book all the underground stuff. That's where I want my record to live".
Rest in Peace to Bob Lanois. Condolences to all that love him.
It's been over 10 years since local singer/songwriter Astrid Young's last album. Now she has unveiled her best work to date: One Night at Giant Rock. It captures an astounding musical artist willing to go all out.
The emotion in her voice is unmistakable as she powers through a few tracks while giving others a wonderful soulful sheen. Artistically, the lady mixes in funk, pop, country, folk and more - all with evocative lyrics. There a musical surprise around almost every corner.
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