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On the Hotest Night of the year!

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If anyone out there still considers Canada to be the land of ice, snow and igloos then check this one out! Here in Toronto Canada today the temperature is a cool 38 (C) 100.4 (F) and feels like 49 (C) 120.2 (F). Well folks, sorry to inform you but there are no snowbanks, ice or igloos anywhere to be found in our neighbourhood!

So in honour of all of you out there that have had this train of thought for a while then, this tune is for you! Stay cool out there kidz!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mwc43Fd9DY&feature=BFa&list=PL1C7D5F83A5E33364&index=13

Keep on Jammin’




Debbie Harry was abducted by Ted Bundy?

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My wife told me about this bizarre story about how the lead singer of the band Blondie, Debbie Harry (age 65), was briefly abducted by the 1970’s serial killer Ted Bundy. I thought to myself that this is weird because I’ve never heard about this story before.

My wife came across this story through a UK newspaper feed that tells us of this nasty tale. If you closely follow Debbie’s story, it may come across as a little bit confusing. If you are aware of Ted Bundy’s life as one of the worlds craziest serial killers, then you will know what I mean. Go to Snopes to see more.

“He tried to stop me by spinning the car but it sort of helped me fling myself out. Afterwards I saw him on the news. Ted Bundy.”

As the story goes, Debbie informs us that this event happened in New York city. She claims, It was in the early ’70s and I was trying to get across town at two or three o’clock in the morning. This little car kept coming around and offering me a ride. I kept saying no but finally I took the ride because I couldn’t get a cab.

I got in the car and the windows were are rolled up, except for a tiny crack. This driver had an incredibly bad smell to him. I looked down and there were no door handles. The inside of the car was stripped. The hairs on the back of my neck just stood up. I wiggled my arm out of the window and pulled the door handle from the outside. I don’t know how I did it, but I got out.

He tried to stop me by spinning the car but it sort of helped me fling myself out. Afterward, I saw him on the news. Ted Bundy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH3Q_CZy968&feature=related

I don’t know what to think about this story, but it sure was interesting to read.

Keep on Jammin’

Centennial Stage construction at the CNE

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I was watching a news story a couple of months ago about vintage videos, both from private and official video collections, from some of the past CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) years. The people who run the CNE thought that they had something special here and they wanted to share it with the rest of the world. They weren’t quite to sure how to achieve this, but they eventually decided to put it up on Youtube so that everyone could enjoy the CNE archive films.

I just watched quite a few of the CNE videos and I have to say that some of these clips brought back a flood of fantastic memories of past visits to CNE or The EX as most of us locals call it.

My favorite video of the entire collection was the one that showed the making of the main portable stage at Exhibition Stadium. Up until watching the video that I have, BTW included at the end of this post, I never knew the actual name of this stage. They call it the Centennial Stage.

This stage supported some of the greatest acts of the 20th century! The Who, Pick Floyd, The Police, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, John Cougar Mellencamp (ha, I finally had the chance to say his old name out loud!) and Simon and Garfunkel just to name a few. The best show that I have witnessed there, from a pure sound point of view, was Pick Floyd in 1987? They went all quadraphonic on us at that show, very trippy!!!

So I hope that the video below brings back some great memories for you if you had the chance to visit this stage or the Toronto CNE in the past.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f34Wd1VLDwg

Keep on Jammin’

Danforth Music Hall closing?

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I just read an article on Google that the mighty Danforth Music Hall is being shut down by the owners of this landmark on the Danforth for not paying their rent.

Every time I drive by the Danforth Music Hall, I can’t help but think about all the great acts that I’ve seen within it’s hallowed walls. The most recent acts I’ve witnessed there are Rick Wakeman and Amos Lee.

The company that use to rent the Danforth Music Hall put in tons of time, energy and money into the building in 2005. They brought it back to it’s original aesthetics. The overall set up in the hall is fabulous. The seats are comfortable and the overall feel to it is relaxing to say the least. They also installed a great PA system that is far superior to the one that was there back in the 80’s and 90’s.

“It’s gone through all sorts of transformations,” said Gerald Whyte, president of the Riverdale Historical Society. “It was the only [National Theatre] that was still operating as a theatre.” Globe and Mail

Electra Films Ltd., the company that currently owns the building, is either trying to remove or just get it’s money from Ellipsis Leisure Retail Inc., I’m hoping for the latter. A notice that is posted on the front doors of the building states that Electra is owed a little bit more than $44,000 in rent back rent.

I for one hope that Ellipsis gets back on more stable financial footings in the very near future and they keep this jewel of The Danforth open for years to come.

Keep on Jammin’ Music Hall!

The King of Country Guitars

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The Cantos Music Foundation, which is located in Calgary, has a one of a kind multi-instrument in it’s collection. It’s a five-neck guitar from Saskatchewan country music legend Steve Puto. He lent it to the society a number of years ago.

It belongs to Saskatchewan country music legend Steve Puto, who lent it to the organization several years ago.
Steve says that he brought it when I was performing at some local jamborees. Saying that it’s conversational piece is an understatement.

According to the CBC, the guitar luthier’s name is Dick Thomas. He made this work of functioning art when he was employed by Country King guitars.

Steve Puto's five neck guitar for Country King guitars

When I saw this creation my first instinct was to find out more about it. If it was right in front of me, I’d be compelled to pick it up and play it, well wouldn’t you?! Steve Puto use to host the popular Saskatoon TV show The Lonesome Steve Show, aired every Saturday in Saskatoon in the mid-’70s.

The instrument has five necks that include a mandolin, a banjo, a six-string guitar, a bass and a fiddle. “And lest we forget, mounted to the fiddle is a harmonica,” Moffat said, the head conservator at Cantos. He says that the instrument isn’t in good enough shape to play anymore. “But I think we could definitely bring it back to life. It’s a great example of innovation, experimentation.”

Steve purchased this distinctive looking guitar for about $400.00 (CAN) from a buddy of his music store in 1973.
He still plays today and runs a ranch in Saskatoon.

“I’m celebrating my 65th year in country music,” said Puto, who is planning to take his old five-neck out of the Cantos collection so he can play it at jamborees this summer. CBC

I can only imagine that Cantos is praying that he returns this one back to their medley of musical instruments. To read the original article in it’s entirety check out this link. If you ever go to the Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary you should look for this beauty.

Keep on Jammin’

The Door’s When Your Strange

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The new release of home movies from Jim Morrison and the Doors was released in theaters on April 9th, 2010.

I loved the 1991 movie called The Doors written by Oliver Stone and Randall Jahnson. My wife and I saw it when it was in theaters back then and we, along with of close friends at the time Ben & Joanne, loved it! It was neat to see something new about the band but I am more of a documentary kind of guy. Did you see it when it came out?

On a side note: If your a big Door’s fan, then you will be looking forward to up coming movie about the band titled The Last Beat.

I found a neat video review from Movieweb and it was interesting to watch. It was with the three remaining members of the band, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Robby Krieger. Manzarek said the this doc. is “the anti- Oliver Stone” movie and will act as “the true story of The Doors.” OK, you sold me right there Rick!

Now with the help of personal footage, archival footage and Morrison’s own never-before-seen film, the band has assembled a new documentary called, When You’re Strange, which opened in theaters on April 9th. Movieweb

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMMo3EmIfJw

So are you a big enough fan to go out and see this doc?

Keep on Jammin’

Jimi Hendrix once played in Engelbert Humperdinck’s band

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Can you believe that Jimi Hendrix played in Engelbert Humperdinck’s band one night late in the 1960’s? Well that is what happened according to him.

So Jimi Hendrix was on tour opening up for Engelbert Humperdinck and Engelbert’s guitar player didn’t show up and he was wondering what he would do. Jimi came up to him and said Hey man don’t worry, I’ll play guitar for you. Engelbert replied You can’t do that, your a star! Jimi then told him, wait a minute, let me check out this place.
Jimi noticed a curtain near the doorway and said, I’ll stand behind that curtain.

englebert asked him You will and Jimi replied I sure will. So Jimi got the music in front of him started playing with the band. Mr Humperdinck says that Jimi sounded like 3 guitars playing all at once. It was the biggest thrill of his life but the only thing that he was so upset about was that it wasn’t recorded! Can you say collector’s item?!

He was on my favorite CBC show called The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. On the show George invites his guest to talk candid off stage about their craziest or most memorable moment that they had and share it on tape to be shown at a later date. This segment of the show is called Best Story Ever.

I wish that I could of found this video on Youtube and dropped it directly into this post but no such luck. So if you want to see the segment in it’s entirety, you have to do a little bit of leg work here folks! It’s time well wasted.

  1. Go to this link
  2. Cut and paste Engelbert Humperdinck best story ever into the site’s search engine
  3. Hit the red Search Video button to the right of it.

Keep on Jammin’

Lee’s Palace on Bloor St. West in Toronto

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Lee’s palace is a fabulous place to see a band. The history of the bands that have played there is long and legendary! It is Toronto’s premier alternative Rock venue.

The first floor is where the bands play and the top floor, called the Dance Cave, is where … well all the dancing goes on!

The list of past performers are a who’s who of international Alternative Rock bands. My favorites that have graced us with their musical presence were Shuffle Demons, Nirvana, Grapes Of Wrath, Tragically Hip, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pursuit Of Happiness, Forgotten Rebels, Scott Merritt (a good old Brantford boy), The Lemonheads, Crash Vegas, Gaye Bikers on Acid, Goo Goo Dolls, The Tea Party, I Mother Earth, The Headstones (Hugh Dillion), Smashing Pumpkins, Spin Doctors (guitarist is from Toronto), The Rembrandts, Blind Melon, Philosopher Kings, Ed The Sock (he is a real sock!), Collective Soul, Oasis, Big Sugar, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Better Than Ezra, Alanis Morissette, The Presidents of The United States of America, Great Big Sea, even Yoko Ono played there in 1996 (with her and John Lennon’s son Sean in the backup band Ima!). As a side note: the best band that I ever saw there was called Needy Fingers, with world renown bassist Todd Williams! Cerafim, now called Counterpoint, performed there as well! Now that is an impressive line up!

The venue known as Lee’s palace has been open since 1985, It is located at located at 529 Bloor St. W. Toronto in The Annex section of the city. I have been in this place so many times that I can’t remember. Maybe it had something to do with earlier visits to Ye Olde Brunswick House only a hop, skip and a stagger away! Anyways, I just love that place!

The hall itself originally was opened in 1919 under the name of Allen’s Bloor Theatre. Part of the Allen’s theatre company that was started off by it’s owners in Brantford Ontario. Across the street is another great hall called The Bloor. Check out the video if your into local history.

So who else out there had a good time in this Toronto Landmark that they can remember! Go ahead, test out your old grey matter and write back here soon!

Lee’s Palace, Keep on Jammin’

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2009 Concert

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This years 25th anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts was one of those shows that you wish that you had taken in! Both shows this year took place on Oct 29-30 at Madison Square Garden in New York city.

For Thursday’s show, the line up and set list was unreal! On Friday the line up was just as impressive!

There were far too many acts for me to single out which one that really got my attention but the best act that I saw on line was Stevie Wonder and Jeff Beck playing superstition! God those boys still ROCK!

If most of you like myself, who were not one of the many lucky ones in attendance at either show, it will on HBO U.S. in between Nov. 30, 2009 – Jan. 03, 2010 and HBO Canada in between Nov. 9th to Dec. 30th 2009 in HD. I just programed my PVR right now!

So did anyone out there check out either show in New York?

Keep on jammin’

Remembrance Day 2009

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Today is a day set aside to remember all those courageous young men and women who lost their lives for all of us. I just came back from today’s services at the East York cenotaph and there was a great turn out this year. Everyone from school kids and regular citizens of East York.

Last years service was the first one that I attended. I found it very moving and it brought back the times that I had shared with my late Great Private James (Joe) Henry Judge (Reg. # 3310131). He was considered a ARMY CLASS “A” member and received this, and a few more, war medal . He served in the Great War (WWI) in the Canadian 58th Battalion.

Here is a link to the book of remembrance of his fellow solders that passed away in battle that I found on line today. I just thought it is fitting to remember not only him but his fellow comrades in arms on their special day of remembrance.

I also did a post a while back about how the Canadian Government honoured our military men and women on the Canadian $10 bill. I found it some neat bits of information about what they put on our the bill and what it suppose to mean!

So to all those who have fallen, God bless them all.

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