Originally part of our August 13, 2009 post
Updated Post: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Guitar legend Les Paul passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2009.
Original Posts: August 9, 10, 14, 2009
Merged Post: August 13, 2026
Here's a look at the 2009 Festival of Friends.
Click here to read the August 6 Hamilton Spectator story
August 8, 2009
Lovers & Other Strangers Workshop
Guitars were raised high after a performance of Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water at the Festival of Friends on August 8, 2009. Hamilton musician Christopher Charles and his band were joined by a legion of guitarists scattered across Gage Park.
This was an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for most guitars in a jam performance.
According to the Spectator, the record wasn't broken (we were 77 short) but we did beat Toronto's recent attempt)
Below is a video of the event. We apologize for the extreme close-ups (the camera was stuck on zoom)
Links: Deep Purple, More Deep Purple Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
August 9, 2009
Memories of Jackie Washington Workshop
Original posts: January 24, 2009, October 10, 2009
Updated Post: July 23, 2026
Hamilton Bluesman Steve Strongman had a great year in 2009
Here are a few highlights
The Reverend John C Holland Awards have always celebrated excellence in Hamilton’s Black community. This year was no different at the ceremony on February 15, 2026 at LiUNA Station.
Below is the complete list of winners:
Sankofa Pearl Bursary ($500)
Sankofa Pearl Scholarship ($3,000)
Available on: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music
Personnel:
I've never known anyone who had more of a positive outlook on life and so genuinely loved being around people. He was a pleasure to spend time with and he was a treasure of information about the jazz world and local history. We all learned by his example and our lives were enriched by his musicianship.Alfie Smith
The world seemed a little brighter with Jackie Washington in it. Your music and the joy you brought to so many people will always live on. I feel lucky to have known you. Rest in peace my friend.
I am devastated, I just found out that the great Jackie Washington of Hamilton Ontario died yesterday. My heart goes out to the Washington Family. I was deeply moved by Jackie's music and he influenced my music for the better. Thanks Jackie and God bless you.!!!!!!!!Lily Sazz
A Hamilton icon gone. Jackie Washington's memory will live on. Special mention to all of his dear friends who helped him in his final years.
Media Articles
Original Post (part of June 6, 2009 post)
Updated Post: January 22, 2026
Canadian folk legend, Bruce Cockburn (currently signed to Waterdown's True North Records) was recognized by Hamilton's own McMaster University on June 8, 2009.
Cockburn joined local glass
Below is the Spectator article fron June 9, 2009. Click the picture to make it bigger.
Pictured: Muddy Water (left) with Richard "King Biscuit Boy" Newell
In a special to the Hamilton Spectator on June 6, 2009, King Biscuit Boy's brother, Waller R. Newell, wrote about his legendary sibling's life. Waller offered insights into the music man's career: meeting members of the Beatles, working with Aretha Franklin, and more. He also discussed his brother's intellectual side.
Click the picture below to see the full-size article (you may still need to zoom to read)
Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Video above courtesy of King Biscuit Boy with The Ronnie Hawkins Band - Topic
Available on: Bandcamp, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music
Personnel:
Hamilton's Superstar Crush received a rave review for their debut album, Way Too Much in the December 18, 2025 edition of the prestigious New Yorker magazine.
Here's the great review.
Available on: The band's website (including Vinyl), Bandcamp, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music,
Personnel:
American Blues legend, Koko Taylor passed away on June 3, 2009.
Below is the article that ran in the June 4, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator. Click the image to Make it bigger.
Links: Koko Taylor, More Koko Taylor Stories/Covers, Video above courtesy of Celia Anahin
Originally Part of Post on June 1, 2009
Expanded New Post: January 1, 2026
At the end of his June 4, 2009 Spectator column, Graham Rockingham reported that local blues legend, Jackie Washington has handed over many of his important memorabilia to McMaster University's archives.
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.
Click the article below to make it bigger.
Update: Jackie passed away a few weeks after this.
Links: Jackie Washington, More Jackie Washington Stories, Video above courtesy of Jackie Washington - Topic
It's been 8 wonderful years of music, food and friends but also 8 years of very hard work. A bit too much hard work to continue on past June when our lease is up.
I'd like to thank you ever so much for all your support of our club and your support of live music in general over all these years. No doubt there are some truly great people who make it fun to throw shows for and with in Hamilton.. Who knew? We've had "maybe" one "fight" in the entire 8 years we've been in downtown Hamilton. I really can't stress enough how great the crowds have been. I've especially admired anyone who's done the research, spotted something interesting and been brave enough to attend a show even if they could not find a buddy or crew to go with.
While I'm at it I'd also like to comment on the abundance of good music coming thru Hamilton. Even when we are gone, many great bands will of course still be coming by the other live music clubs in this city. Not to mention the abundance of talent that this city has in it's own citizens. Please remember that when you go to a show, on top of the potential to have a fun and rich experience, you are also casting your vote and approval to the promoter and/or band to continue coming back and playing Hamilton.
The more support the clubs get, the more chances for unique and interesting entertainment to continue flowing and staying in the city.
Also, rest assured that there are clubs in Hamilton that do consistently book the up and coming buzz bands that go on to play much bigger, less intimate venues for way more money.
There are still almost 2 months of quality shows coming your way from PJC as well as some gems yet to be announced!
Thanks for your support and for being so cool!
Sincerely,
Ken
"I have been writing some new songs, and trying them out on unsuspecting audiences, slipping them into sets like some kind of mad scientist, to see how they react.
What I'm hoping to achieve this summer is something I've rarely tried: compose parts of songs, then record them and finish the lyric and melody as I go, reacting to studio musicians' interpretation.
All of this in an attempt to uncover something about the songs that I would be unable to do on my own. First up is something to get me into that headspace again: a band version of The Great Beyond, for an upcoming animated video I've partially commissioned from local animator Rachel Peters. I intend to make that video part of a half dozen new videos that will debut this fall."
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