Hi everybody, I’m thrilled to do a deep dive with this week’s guest—Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter extraordinaire, film composer, author, and actor IAN THOMAS.
Ian’s music has become part of the foundation of the Canadian musical landscape, a legacy recognized with a SOCAN National Achievement Award for Songwriting. He first made waves with his breakout hit “Painted Ladies,” in Canada and the US which then launched a string of chart-topping singles throughout the 1970s and 80s. His success continued with his acclaimed band, The Boomers, which featured Peter Cardinali on Bass, Rick Gratton on Drums and Bill Dillon on Guitars. Releasing 4 albums in total the Boomers via early Major success in Germany, gained a significant following in Europe.
Whether performed by Ian himself or covered by renowned artists such as Santana, Chicago, Manfred Mann, America, Bon Jovi, and Bette Midler, his songs—“Pilot,” “Hold On,” “Right Before Your Eyes,” “Coming Home,” “You Gotta Know,” and “Come the Sun,” among others—continue to receive heavy rotation on radio stations across Canada and around the world.
In addition to his solo career, Ian has been a core member of the beloved Canadian ensemble Lunch at Allen’s, alongside Marc Jordan, Cindy Church, and Murray McLauchlan, for over 25 years. He is also the author of two books: Bequest (2006), a Canadian bestseller, and The Lost Chord (2008), both published by Manor House Publishing.
Most recently, Ian released a new album titled Roll with it and he completed a SOLD OUT theatre tour across Canada. On a personal level - one of my fave albums in my collection is his orchestral Life of Song album recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It contains absolutely ingenious arrangements of his hit songs.
I absolutely loved chatting about Ian’s entire illustrious career and about what Ian listens to for enjoyment himself. Our chat took place in the cozy confines of his beautiful home studio. There were laughs aplenty, and our discussion began with me accidentally knocking my full coffee cup off the table, narrowly missing spilling it all onto some of his valuable recording gear lol.
Enjoy!
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