Tommy Solo's famous friends
I talk musical careers & random adventures with Canadian musicians, promoters, photographers, broadcasters etc. who I've connected with in the biz. The one requirement of my guests is that they're more famous than I am.
Episodes
September 20, 2021 • 32 min
Ray "Rabbit" Harrison is an iconic pianist/keyboardist who has played professionally since the early 1960s.
Over all these years, He's played with several top shelf acts including the Grease Ball Boogie Band, Shooter, Crowbar, Downchild & the Cameo Blues Band.
In this installment of "Rock & Roll Stories from the bar, we discussed everything from how he got the nickname "Rabbit" to eventually having f...
Over all these years, He's played with several top shelf acts including the Grease Ball Boogie Band, Shooter, Crowbar, Downchild & the Cameo Blues Band.
In this installment of "Rock & Roll Stories from the bar, we discussed everything from how he got the nickname "Rabbit" to eventually having f...
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September 13, 2021 • 32 min
I've interviewed Mitch Field in the past when we focused mostly on his beginnings in music & his dealings with CBS records.
In this installment of "Rock & Roll Stories from the bar", we discussed adventures of traveling across North America while enduring brutal winter driving conditions, dealing with unscrupulous bar owners & a whole lot more!
In this installment of "Rock & Roll Stories from the bar", we discussed adventures of traveling across North America while enduring brutal winter driving conditions, dealing with unscrupulous bar owners & a whole lot more!
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September 6, 2021 • 30 min
In our premier episode of our new series "Rock & Roll stories from the bar", I chat with Frank Soda.
Frank dedicated years of his life advancing his musical career while touring the bars & nightclubs across North America. From backing up Thor with his band The Imps to scoring his own record deals, Franks has seen just about all there was to see during the glory days of making a living playing Rock & Roll in the b...
Frank dedicated years of his life advancing his musical career while touring the bars & nightclubs across North America. From backing up Thor with his band The Imps to scoring his own record deals, Franks has seen just about all there was to see during the glory days of making a living playing Rock & Roll in the b...
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August 29, 2021 • 32 min
Alec Fraser Jr immigrated from Scotland to Canada as a young boy & although he was upset at having to leave his original homeland, was quick to assimilate himself into Toronto's then burgeoning music scene.
He is a multiple Juno award winning record producer & has made an honest living over the years as a journeyman musician backing up the stars.
When the pandemic took hold, he decided to get to work on his dream solo re...
He is a multiple Juno award winning record producer & has made an honest living over the years as a journeyman musician backing up the stars.
When the pandemic took hold, he decided to get to work on his dream solo re...
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August 20, 2021 • 25 min
Brian Gagnon has been a full time musician for most of his life. Having played in the popular bar band, Dillinger before forming the classic Canadian band, the Hunt. He put the Hunt together with former members of Dillinger & former Max Webster drummer Paul Kersey. They were signed almost immediately to a record deal & enjoyed significant radio success in North America & Europe.
Eventually with a young family at home,...
Eventually with a young family at home,...
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August 12, 2021 • 28 min
Darby Mills, is mostly known as the lead singer for the classic Canadian rock band "The Headpins".
Before the pandemic hit, she was on the rise under her own banner with the Darby Mills project. She had several what she considered "glass ceiling" shows cancelled during the 1st major Covid-19 lock down.
In this episode, we talk about how she & her band mates have done their best to adjust & adapt to new te...
Before the pandemic hit, she was on the rise under her own banner with the Darby Mills project. She had several what she considered "glass ceiling" shows cancelled during the 1st major Covid-19 lock down.
In this episode, we talk about how she & her band mates have done their best to adjust & adapt to new te...
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August 3, 2021 • 24 min
Rocket Norton is a lifelong musician having rose to fame in the 1970s with the Canadian classic rock band, Prism. He has played primarily drums over the years, but has also sang & played guitar with a few acts.
Prior to Covid-19, things were going really well for Rocket. He had a thriving day business & had successfully published a couple of fictional novels. He was also playing small concerts with "The Authentics" ...
Prior to Covid-19, things were going really well for Rocket. He had a thriving day business & had successfully published a couple of fictional novels. He was also playing small concerts with "The Authentics" ...
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July 27, 2021 • 25 min
Terry Draper established himself as a member of the classic Canadian band Klaatu.
For some time the general public was convinced that Klaatu was really the Beatles recording incognito.
While these rumours did bolster record sales, they also created situations that ultimately caused the break up of the band.
In this episode Terry & I discuss where he was at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic & how he & his Wife have st...
For some time the general public was convinced that Klaatu was really the Beatles recording incognito.
While these rumours did bolster record sales, they also created situations that ultimately caused the break up of the band.
In this episode Terry & I discuss where he was at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic & how he & his Wife have st...
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July 19, 2021 • 33 min
Cassius Khan & his family knew that he was a very gifted musician at a very early age.
He is one of the very few, if not the only classical Indian musicians who can play the Tabla & sing simultaneously.
When he was seven years old, he heard an Ellen McIlwaine record from his Father's Vinyl collection & was mesmerized by the Goddess of Slide guitar instantly.
After years of classical training in Indian music, in fact ...
He is one of the very few, if not the only classical Indian musicians who can play the Tabla & sing simultaneously.
When he was seven years old, he heard an Ellen McIlwaine record from his Father's Vinyl collection & was mesmerized by the Goddess of Slide guitar instantly.
After years of classical training in Indian music, in fact ...
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July 10, 2021 • 22 min
In this, the second in our "Rounding the corner" series, I talk with the legendary Heavy Metal drummer from the iconic band Anvil.
We discussed where they were when the pandemic hit & how they managed to stay focused on their music throughout the duration of all the lockdowns etc..
We also talked about how the world is counting on as many people getting vaccinated as possible so that we can get back to some sense of norm...
We discussed where they were when the pandemic hit & how they managed to stay focused on their music throughout the duration of all the lockdowns etc..
We also talked about how the world is counting on as many people getting vaccinated as possible so that we can get back to some sense of norm...
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July 2, 2021 • 28 min
Jonathan Holiff, the son of Saul Holiff who managed Johnny Cash through the Country music legend's most prolific years was already an established member of the television production elite. And when he uncovered his late Father's artifacts & memorabilia in a storage locker, he knew that he had something special. The 2012 award winning, globally distributed documentary "My Father & the Man in black" was the en...
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June 26, 2021 • 33 min
John McGale is mostly known for his role as guitarist & manager of Quebec band Offenbach.
He's also played with many other notable acts including the Buzz Band which he formed with bandmates Breen Lebeuf & Jerry Mercer of April Wine fame.
In this episode we discuss the difficulty of being a full time musician during Covid-19 & how it feels to finally see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
He's also played with many other notable acts including the Buzz Band which he formed with bandmates Breen Lebeuf & Jerry Mercer of April Wine fame.
In this episode we discuss the difficulty of being a full time musician during Covid-19 & how it feels to finally see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
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June 19, 2021 • 35 min
Jon Mykl Thor was inspired to get into the music business as a teenage bodybuilder who found an extra boost of energy in his work outs while listening to Led Zeppelin.
He developed a friendship with seminal Canadian guitarist, Frank Soda early on & together they boarded a train from Vancouver to Toronto with a mutual dream of fame & fortune as their guide.
After several indie releases in the early years, the album Thor "...
He developed a friendship with seminal Canadian guitarist, Frank Soda early on & together they boarded a train from Vancouver to Toronto with a mutual dream of fame & fortune as their guide.
After several indie releases in the early years, the album Thor "...
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June 12, 2021 • 33 min
Alexander Mair got started in the business side of the music business as an accountant with Capital records. He would manage the career of legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot through Gordon's most successful & prolific years.
On top of that, he founded Attic records in 1974 & ran that company for 27 years before selling it to a public company right at the dawn of downloading piracy & the downfall o...
On top of that, he founded Attic records in 1974 & ran that company for 27 years before selling it to a public company right at the dawn of downloading piracy & the downfall o...
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June 6, 2021 • 48 min
Mike McKenna is the ultimate journeyman guitarist. He was influenced as a guitarist early by Buddy Holly & Hank Snow.
He & his fellow musician friends learned a lot about show business by following acts like Ronnie Hawkins & Robbie Lane around notorious music venues in the Toronto area,
Early on his band scored opening spots for bigger acts like the Grateful Dead.
Mike formed a fast friendship with the late Jerry Garcia....
He & his fellow musician friends learned a lot about show business by following acts like Ronnie Hawkins & Robbie Lane around notorious music venues in the Toronto area,
Early on his band scored opening spots for bigger acts like the Grateful Dead.
Mike formed a fast friendship with the late Jerry Garcia....
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May 29, 2021 • 43 min
John Gardiner is an upside down, left handed bass player & author.
He spends a lot of time posting short stories garnered from his memories of growing up in the small town of Hanover Ontario on Facebook. His intentions are good. He knows that people need their regular daily infusions of entertainment especially during pandemic times.
In this episode, we discuss his challenges as a lefty, his adventures with the Sterling Blues ba...
He spends a lot of time posting short stories garnered from his memories of growing up in the small town of Hanover Ontario on Facebook. His intentions are good. He knows that people need their regular daily infusions of entertainment especially during pandemic times.
In this episode, we discuss his challenges as a lefty, his adventures with the Sterling Blues ba...
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May 21, 2021 • 39 min
From humble beginnings on the Wikwemikong First Nations Reserve on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada to a successful career in Nashville, Crystal Shawanda has come a long way.
She started singing in public at six years old & has never looked back. Moving to Nashville at sixteen, she had the courage to knock on all the right doors & her journey as a successful singer/songwriter was launched.
Facing systemic racism & ...
She started singing in public at six years old & has never looked back. Moving to Nashville at sixteen, she had the courage to knock on all the right doors & her journey as a successful singer/songwriter was launched.
Facing systemic racism & ...
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May 15, 2021 • 37 min
Sandy Gillis started his career in radio broadcasting in 1968 while he was still a kid in high school. It didn't take him long from there before he was hosting a local teen dance show on TV. And before you knew it he had started his own broadcasting school, hiring his radio station bosses as professors. As he quickly climbed the ladder in radio becoming station manager in short order, he gave several popular media broadcast ...
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May 2, 2021 • 37 min
Earl Johnson was a founding member of Canadian classic rockers "Moxy" along with the late Buzz Shearman (r.i.p.) . He is now the last man standing but he continues to carry the torch & was still touring with the current lineup of Moxy until the pandemic hit. He remains enthusiastic & has learned to play for the love of the music as time rolls on.
Earl got started in his professional career playing guitar with the le...
Earl got started in his professional career playing guitar with the le...
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April 25, 2021 • 26 min
Jerry Fielden is a man who wears many hats in the music business. He not only leads his own recording act, AraPacis featuring top shelf players like Don Airey of Deep Purple & Ozzy Osborne fame, David Stone (Rainbow) & Vinny Appice among others. He has had a close working relationship with Deep Purple's long standing lead singer Ian Gillan. When Jerry isn't busy making new music he spends his time in sales with mult...
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Mark as Played
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