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THE BEST OF THE BEST (Singles) – Part Two

THE BEST OF THE BEST (Singles) – Part Two
As the manuscript for my Music Express book is undergoing it’s final editing process in preparation for its April 2014 publishing date, I would like to spotlight a few chapters that were omitted from the final publication. One of these chapters was a series of `Best Of’s’ from the time frame that encompassed Music Express (being 1976-1992). This first ‘Best... Read More

THE BEST OF THE BEST (Singles) – Part One

THE BEST OF THE BEST (Singles) – Part One
As the manuscript for my Music Express book is undergoing it’s final editing process in preparation for its April 2014 publishing date, I would like to spotlight a few chapters that were omitted from the final publication. One of these chapters was a series of `Best Of’s’ from the time frame that encompassed Music Express (being 1976-1992). This first ‘Best... Read More

A Rock Music Epiphany Comes To Life – The First Anniversary of Music Express Digital Magazine

A Rock Music Epiphany Comes To Life – The First Anniversary of Music Express Digital Magazine
Call it an epiphany if you will, a moment when that imaginary light bulb flashes above your head. That moment of inspiration came to me late August 2012 while working as a security officer for G4S, one of the world’s biggest security companies. It was that single moment of clarity which lead to the re-birth of Music Express as a... Read More

Heading for the T.Dot – Part Two

Heading for the T.Dot – Part Two
My first interview with Red Rider’s lead vocalist Tom Cochrane provided a source of confrontation. Red Rider; comprising of Cochrane (guitarist/lead vocalist) Jeff Jones (bass), Ken Greer (guitar) Peter Boynton (keyboards) and Rob Baker( drums) were a hotly sought after Toronto band in 1979. Both Capitol’s Deane Cameron and Anthem’s Ray Danniels were vying for them but Cameron was concerned... Read More

What’s In A Name?

What’s In A Name?
It was photographer Ted Van Boort who inadvertently came up with this Rockpiles’ column idea when he called me one day to inform me The Bay City Rollers were playing Hamilton Place and was I interested in covering the show. First off, we don’t cover non-Canadian artists, and secondly, who the hell is still playing in the Bay City Rollers???... Read More

It Is What It Is

It Is What It Is
The guy I felt most sorry for after Sunday’s yawn-inducing 2013 Juno Awards ceremony staged at Regina’s Brandt Centre is Insight Productions’ John Brunton. He is the creative driving force behind the two-hour CTV telecast who has enjoyed great success in the past making something out of very little. Yet even Brunton must have been dismayed at the lack of... Read More

Here Comes Loverboy

Here Comes Loverboy
It was at a meeting with Fosterchild when I first bumped into Paul Dean, lead guitarist for Streetheart. I had just conducted a phone interview with the band’s keyboardist Daryl Guthiel but I hadn’t extracted much of an insight from him so I welcomed the opportunity to do an in person with Paul. He proved to be a very cordial... Read More

Canada Rocks!

Canada Rocks!
Domestically, the music industry was exploding. New albums and new bands were arriving daily with growth evident right across Canada. Toronto lead the way with the likes of hard rock bands Rush, Triumph, Max Webster, Goddo and Moxy, the versatility of Lighthouse plus the True North folk scene powered by Bruce Cockburn, Dan Hill and Murray McLauchlan. Not to mention... Read More

A Music Mag is Born!

A Music Mag is Born!
Alberta Music Express was launched the first week of October 1976 without much fanfare. I had secured a printer, The North Hill News and Joe Thompson, branch manager at Kellys Record Mart in Calgary had agreed to circulate AME in all their Alberta retail outlets. As mentioned, Daltrey was on the cover of No.1 with my feature on The Stampeders... Read More