Showing posts with label Rick and the Krickets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rick and the Krickets. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Throwback Thursday: Rick and the Krickets CD - Right as Rain

Original Post: March 3, 2009
Updated post: April 10, 2025


Note: Copies of this CD might be hard to find. It is not available online.

Rick and the Krickets, featuring Rick Prinsthal of the Deacons and the Paperboys, have released a new CD called Right as Rain.

The collection includes covers of Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, I Saw Her Standing There, Gimmie Gimmie Good Lovin', Sunshine Superman, a few originals and more.


Friday, March 15, 2024

Junkhouse's Russel "Rusty" Wilson Was a Live Wire, Powerful! RIP


It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Junkhouse bassist and solo artist Russel "Rusty" Wilson. The Hamilton musician dies on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Russ shot to international stardom in the mid-90's after Junkhouse signed a record deal with Sony Music Canada. The band broke up after a number of incredible albums but reunited years ago and was still performing. Russ also had a successful solo career. He also performed with Paul O'Toole, Barry Mac, Ray Lyell and many others.

Media Links:

Social Media Reaction

Rave On Russel Wilson
We look into the faces of wild things to try and see ourselves. We want to know what part of us might live in there behind the eyes. 
Russel was a live wire, powerful, off his rocker, loving, conducting the spirits and hanging on by a thread. It’s impossible for me to even imagine knowing anyone like him again in this lifetime. 
He was funny as Hell, unpredictable, incredibly talented, loud, sensitive and he could scare the shit out of ya if you weren’t paying attention.
I was lucky enough to the go deep into the trenches with him. We ran around globe together in our band taking on stages from Belgium to Brantford. We played in castles and in barrooms and hockey arenas living on a very long road and we had the best time of our lives.
Russel was guided by instincts not by sight and he ignited pure fire at high volume, came out swinging’ with a bass around his neck that he made look like a ukulele. 
The lord never patted him on the head but he may have booted him in the ass a couple of times. 
He was out of this world as long as we knew him and now he’s closer to us than he’s ever been.

Rick Prinsthal (Paperboys, Deacons. Rick & the Krickets, Rocket & the Renegades

I'm so glad that Russ Wilson and I had a chance to hang out at the Junkhouse show in Hamilton last December. Russ and I first met nearly 40 years ago at a Florida Razors gig in a pub called 'Rebel's Roadhouse' on the mountain. Over the years, when I saw Russ perform live, either with Junkhouse or as solo performer, I was always amazed by his musical ability.  

Every once in a while, Russ and I would see each other in the community. He always took an active interest in what I was doing and made me feel like he was in my corner. Russ had an affinity for the underdog and a genuinely caring heart. He was a good person.

R.I.P. Rusty   keep on rockin', bro

Graham Greer

Just gutted to learn that my cosmic soul brother, the singular Russ Rusty Wilson, thumping bass player of the beloved Canadian band Junkhouse, passed away this morning. 

He was a funny, loyal, passionate giant of a man and we became fast and furious friends during the countless tours and festivals Barstool Prophets played with Junkhouse throughout the mid-90s.

A short testament to the heart in this man: in 1996, when Lori had freshly given birth to our #1 son, Liam, Russ drove from Hamilton, ON to Cornwall to personally deliver a gift. He showed up at the door of our apartment with gift in hand, chatted with me quickly (Lori was still in hospital) and offered congratulations and unsolicited but sage words of parental advice - “Don’t let the baby chew on electrical cords or get access to your credit card brother. Disaster in either case, guaranteed.” 

He then hugged me, turned around and got in his car and drove back to Hamilton, as he was flying out to LA the next morning.

I’ve often described Russ as the sort of person who - if a friend needed a liver - would make sure you got a liver. It might not necessarily be HIS liver, but he’d make sure you got one in any case. 😆

A giant prince among mortal men. Taken too soon and profoundly missed. 💔

Hug your friends,

Graham

Below is the report from CHCH TV.




Previous (Canadian Music Moments at the Oscars) - - - Next (St. Patrick's Day Videos)

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Back to School! (Jeremy Fisher, Rick and the Krickets, John Kay of Steppenwolf)

Update of 2017 Post






Links: More Rick & the Krickets StoriesVideo above courtesy of SimVid



Links: Steppenwolf (John Kay, from Waterloo, is the singer), More Steppenwolf StoriesVideo above courtesy of Rock on Thessaloniki


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Interested in going back to school for music? Check out our wonderful sponsor, Picks & Sticks. They have incredible music lessons.


For more (mostly adult) education, we recommend the St. Charles Centre (our blogger's day job) who offer high school credit courses, ESL, computer workshops, career programs and more, Also FREE language classes for elementary school children. 

Previous  (Labour Day Videos- - - Next (Jack de Keyzer Videos)

Thursday, September 17, 2015

News Roundup (Remembering Billy Berman, Busker Al, Krista Earle, Laura Cole)


We recently found out that former Rick and the Krickets bassist Billy Berman passed away August 9, 2015.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Click here for his obituary.

A word from Lou, our Blogger:
"Going to a Krickets show always meant sharing laughs with Billy and hearing his mastery of the bass.  I will miss him dearly."

Rick Prinsthal (leader of the Krickets) had this to say on Facebook:
"Billy and I met 25 years ago. He was always the kind of character I liked being around - lot's of charisma and plenty of laughs. He was also a pretty sharp dresser in those days!. Billy and I worked in a band for about 8 years..recorded a CD, did a lot of driving from one town to the next, and shared a lot of laughs!. I know that Billy is in a good place now, where he is free from his suffering. In fact, he's probably cracking a few good dirty jokes to the angels right now! RIP BILL"



Links: Rick and the KricketsMore Rick and the Krickets StoriesVideo above courtesy of SimVid


News

Local
World

The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef had a busy weekend


He was at Supercrawl on Friday and Sunday.


At the Dine Alone Records Booth - Home of Monster Truck , the Arkells and more 
Trebleclef w Tiny Bill Cody at the Not Psychic booth
At the CHCH TV Booth
More pics of the event: Friday, Sunday

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Our little monkey spent part of his Saturday at the Locke Street Festival, checking out  a number of great bands!

Left to right: Jack Pedler, Judi Rideout and Mark Foley
Click here for more pictures from the event

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He also popped by the Roots and Rails Festival at the Brantford Station Gallery
Kim Koren and Frank Koren
Sue Leonard, Cindy Dell and Brennagh Burns

Recently Added

Our Performer List
Our Venue List

Birthdays

Thursday, September 17
Friday, September 18
Saturday, September 19
Sunday, September 20
Monday, September 21
Tuesday, September 22
Wednesday, September 23
Thursday, September 24

Thursday, November 7, 2013

News Roundup (Spec Awards, Blues Blast Awards, Tom Wilson, Lou Reed, Krickets)

Local

Spectator's Readers' Choice Awards

All lists are Platinum, Gold, Silver
  • Festival: Super Crawl, Winona Peach Festival, Locke Street Festival
  • Live Entertainment Facility: Hamilton Place, Copps Coliseum, Theatre Aquarius
  • Concert Venue: Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place, This Ain't Hollywood
  • Live Jazz Club: Augusta House, Cat'N'Fiddle, Stonewalls 
  • Live Music Bar/Lounge: Casbah, Slainte, Stonewalls
  • Music School: Academy of Performing Arts, Suzuki School of Music, Picks & Sticks 
  • Recording Studio: Grant Avenue, Hive, Sound Cave
  • Music Instrument Store: Long & McQuade, Mountain Music, Payne Music
  • Record/CD Store: Cheapies, Beat Goes On, Dr. Disc 
  • Local Artists: Julia Veenstra, Kathryn Smith, Tom Wilson 

  Canada 

  World

 Blues Blast Award Winners
  • Contemporary Blues Album: Shaun Murphy – Ask For The Moon
  • Traditional Blues Album: The Cash Box Kings – Black Toppin'
  • Blues Rock Album: Albert Castiglia – Living The Dream
  • Soul Blues Album: Curtis Salgado – Soul Shot
  • New Artist Debut Release: Southern Hospitality – Easy Livin'
  • Song of the Year: Cee Cee James & Rob "Slideboy" Andrews – "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues"
  • Female Blues Artist of the Year: Shaun Murphy
  • Male Blues Artist of the Year: Doug MacLeod
  • Blues Band of the Year: Tedeschi Trucks Band
  • Sean Costello Rising Star Award: Doug Deming

Blasts from the Past

Featured Videos


Links: Rick and the Krickets, More Rick and the Krickets Stories, Video courtesy of SimVid2



Links: Lou Reed, More Lou Reed Stories, Video courtesy of Raufschunaiden



Previous (New Daddy Long Legs CD) - - - Next (Videos: Festival of Friends Workshop w/Sarah Beatty, Liam Titcomb and Brent Titcomb)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

News Roundup (Biscuit Boy, Krickets, Sam the Record Man)

Local
Canada
World 
Funny/Weird Stuff
Blasts from the Past
Featured Videos



Links: Rick and the Krickets, More Rick and the Krickets Stories, Video courtesy of SimVid2

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Previous (Jeremiah's Birthday Bash) - - Next (Mark Reeves@Private Function)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Burnin' Ethyl@Locke Street Festival (September 10, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.









More from the festival:
Bonus video of the band at Waltz, courtesy of Quadrillium



Bonus Video courtesy of Glen Culbert



Links: Burnin' Ethyl, More Burnin' Ethyl Stories

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Previous (The Rest@Supercrawl) - - - Next (Harrison Kennedy@Locke Street Festival)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Various YouTube Videos (Crowbar, Junkhouse, Kingsnakes, Krickets)





Links: CrowbarMore Crowbar StoriesVideos courtesy of Frelgon.







Videos courtesy of Luispeartree

Links: Crowbar - Junkhouse - Crawlin' Kingsnakes - Rick and the Krickets

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Previous (David Lum@Station House) - - - Next (Ginn Sisters@Gunners Club

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday, October 8, 2010

Paperboys/Deacons Reunion@Plough and Harrow, Part 2 (October 2, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Rick Prinsthal (guitar-left, vocals), Dan Thorpe (guitar), Ken Brawn (drums, vocals on Little Red Rooster), Cameron Hoffman (Drums on Little Red Rooster), DJ Crossley (bass), Randy Hoffman (harmonica) on It's All Over Now and Little Red Rooster)













Click here for part 1. Click here for photos of the event.

Links: Deacons web site

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Paperboys/Deacons Reunion@Plough and Harrow, Part 1 (October 2, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Rick Prinsthal (guitar-left, vocals), Dan Thorpe (guitar), Cameron Hoffman (drums, vocals on We Gotta Get Out of this Place & Rebel Rebel, DJ Crossley (bass), Ken Brawn (drums on We Gotta Get Out of this Place & Rebel Rebel)



More Eddie Cochran covers/stories











Click here for part 2. Click here for photos of the event.

Links: Deacons web site

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Local Musicians in Playgirl's "Canadian Rocker" Special

You probably know that Hamilton has the most talented musicians but did you also know we have the sexiest as well?

An upcoming special issue of Playgirl will feature tasteful nude shots of popular Canadian musicians such as Randy Bachman, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and many others. The best part is three of the studliest models are from right here in the Hammer.

It all started when a Playgirl photographer visited Lou, our illustrious blogger, webmaster and CEO of Hamilton Blues Lovers Inc.

We'll let him tell the story:

"Once again, Playgirl sent a photographer to my house to beg and bribe me with tons of cash to get me to pose for the magazine," he said, "As always, I refused, but this time I told her to check out the local musicians and see if they're interested."

In a special deal with Playgirl Magazine, we've been given permission to post the pictures from our local performers. Since this is a family blog, we've had to censor them. Don't worry, the special issue comes out soon and all you ladies (and men too - we don't discriminate here at HBL) will be able to see them in all their glory.

Photos by April Fulcilli

Andre Bisson's soulful voice isn't his only asset. Check out his band, Andre and the J-Tones around Southern Ontario.

Voodoo Chicken singer and journeyman drummer, Spider Costello can make both drums and hearts beat fast!

When Rick Prinsthal is not rockin' out with his band Rick and the Krickets, he likes to just kick back and relax.

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween Fun in Hamilton 2009


Rick and the Krickets (Rick Prinsthal, vocals, guitar and Billy Berman, bass) were joined by Teenage Head's Jack Pedler on drums and Dan Jeffries on guitar at the Royal Canadian Legion Halloween Dance





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Troy Harmer (guitar, vocals), Greg Brisco (keyboards), John MacDonald (bass), and Michael Scott (drums) rocked the Cat N Fiddle





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Chris Chambers (Guitar, vocals), Bruce McCarthy (drums) and Nick Czarnogorski (bass) dressed up as characters from the Big Lewbowski and played the Whistling Walrus.





Links: Chris Chambers - More Chris Chambers Stories