It is with sadness that we announce the passing of longtime musician Rockin' Bobby Harris (Robert Edward Harris). He died on August 24, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Born in 1937 in Simcoe, Ontario, Rockin' Bobby Harris began his musical career at the age of 16 when he bought his first acoustic guitar and began playing rockabilly, with both originals and covers.
Although his main gig was driving a big rig, Bobby still whooped and hollered whenever he could. He was a big fan of Carl Perkins, Johnny Horton, Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash. In 1960 he finally met Johnny Cash face to face, and was blown away by that meeting. Bob also released a single during his younger years. Once Bobby retired from trucking, he had more time to play.
From 1997 to 2007 Bobby joined 'Two Dollar Bill And His Bad Pennies' playing gigs all over Ontario. When he realized his health was starting to hold him back from playing, Bobby cut a CD in 2005 with producer Andy Magoffin so he'd have a viable recording of his style and music. Two different version of this CD exist. When Two Dollar Bill broke his band up, Bobby began singing with Bernie Demmery's band in Port Dover for two years.
Bobby stopped actively playing after 2009, but still lives down in Tillsonburg, ON, where music is still his life. Bob is also a very skilled artist, and one of his drawings is on display at the Simcoe Art Museum.
Local Legend “Rockin” Bobby Harris has been liberated from the trials of his earthly body.
An original in the early golden days of the true Norfolk Sound, he never quit, often resorting to taping a pick to his hand because he could no longer grip one. Rockin’ Bob was a treasure to those of us old enough to remember as well as the generations to follow.
He was very kind to me and I’m embarrassed at the number of years that have disappeared since our last visit.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton drummer Cliff Goodwin. Unfortunately, we don't know the details of his death put will post on this page when we know more. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Very sad to hear about the passing of Cliff Goodwin . You sure will be missed around the Hamilton music scene. I remember some 20 plus years ago he pinched hit for us at the last minute for a New Year's Eve gig at "The Happy Hog" in Tottenham Ontario, saving our butts. He was always damn good company. RIP
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.
Local Blues veteran Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne added to his long list of accolades when he received the Bobby “Blue” Bland Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jus’ Blues Foundation VIP Honoree Reception on August 2nd and at the Jus' Blues Music Awards "Night of the Living Legends" on August 3rd at the Bluesville Music Hall in Tunica, Mississippi.
“Life is a mystery and full of surprises and this Lifetime Achievement Award is surely a surprise,” said Wayne. “I am very honoured to be receiving it.”
William Bell Blues & Soul Award (Outstanding Accomplishments as an Artist, Arranger, Writer & Producer in The Genre Of Blues & Soul Music): William Bell
The Lucy Award, (Outstanding Guitar Artistry & Performances, Being on Fire & Feeling the Funk In The Blues): James "Super Chikan" Johnson
The King Of The Blues Award (Dedication to the Preservation Thru Performance Of Maintaining the Traditional Heritage of the Blues): Rashad The Blues Kid
The Koko Taylor Queen of the Blues Award (Outstanding Works in Maintaining the Preservation of Performing in The Traditional Blues Heritage): Nora Jean Wallace
The Willie Dixon Songwriters Award (Outstanding Achievements in Songwriting in Blues & Soul Music): Corey Harris
The Willie Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award (Outstanding Productions & Accomplishments in Blues & Soul Music: Oona Mitchell & Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell
The Bobby Rush Blues Entertainer Award (Outstanding Musicianship Performing Traditional Blues Music): Dennis Jones
The Denise Lasalle Recording Excellence Award (Outstanding Production in Recording Blues & Soul Music): Vickie Baker
Blues Living Legend Award (Artist We Respect as a Living Legend for Their Outstanding Accomplishments and Contributions to Blues & Soul Music): Bob Stroger
The Millie Jackson Classy & Sassy Award (Outstanding Female Artistry That Keeps it Real in Blues & Soul Music): Diedra
The Benny Latimore “Let's Straighten It Out Award” (Outstanding Accomplishments for the Preservation of Blues & Soul Music Heritage Behind The Scenes): Morgan Freeman
The Little Milton Campbell Real Blues Man Award (Outstanding Accomplishments Being a Most Soulful Blues & Soul Singer & Guitarist): Wayne Baker Brooks
The Ruben Hughes Blues Radio Personality Award (Outstanding Accomplishments in the Preservation of Programming Blues & Soul Music on The Radio: Jerry "Boogie" Mason
The Muddy Award (Outstanding Music Contributions To The Blues): Jesse Robinson
The Juke Joint Award (Outstanding Blues & Soul Entertainment Preserving the Juke Joint Style and Preserving the Traditions of the Chitlin' Circuit Clubs: Sharon Lewis
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