Saturday June 1st at Peterborough’s Market Hall venue, two Canadian singer/songwriter icons; Dan Hill and Andy Kim, joined forces on stage for a memorable performance before a capacity crowd who were entertained by the Montreal duo’s songs and storytelling.
The result was like a verbal musical tennis match between the pair. “ Okay Andy, you’ve got “Rock Me Gently” but I am serving “Can’t We Try”. No problem Dan, you may have “Sometimes When We Touch” but I’ve got “Sugar Sugar”. A fun evening between two musicians who obviously revere and respect each other’s respective talents.
The Peterborough date marked the end of a mini-Ontario tour which was originally planned for a pairing of Hill and April Wine’s Myles Goodwyn. But when Goodwyn passed away December 3rd 2023. Kim was more than happy to serve as a replacement.
“When I got the call from Dan, I immediately agreed, I have known Dan since 1977 and he’s always been a special friend and I immediately agreed to perform with him. No questions asked.” Kim had said over the phone from his California residence before flying in for the dates.
The stage set-up was simple. Just Hill, Kim, a grand piano and accompanying guitarist Bill Bell, each artist talking eloquently to an enraptured audience in between a combined legacy of great songs.
Hill brought the collective crowd to tears with his moving stories about his 90-year old mother who he aided with her assisted suicide in Switzerland while Kim tended to be more philosophical in his conversations, telling the audience “I always had the belief that we are born with a certain number of heartbeats. We don’t know how many we have been given so don’t waste them on anger or envy. Etc.”
Both artists had the collective crowd on their feet in appreciation with Kim triggering a collective sing-along on his mega-hit “Sugar Sugar” He mentioned that song initially received an indifferent reception when it was released on May 24th 1969 but exploded on to the U.S Billboard charts, once Don Kirshner, music supervisor for the Archies animated television show, featured that track in the show and on his second Archies’ album “Everything’s Archie”, the accompanying album release. The track, (written by Kim and Jeff Barry and performed by session singer Ron Dante) went on to top the U.S charts for four weeks, stayed in the Billboard charts for 10 weeks and was named song of the year by that trade publication, selling over 400,000 units.
Kim also had the Peterborough crowd singing along to “Happen Again” and the concert concluded with the pair dueting on “Amour” Ending a memorable evening which should be repeated across Canada.
