Summer 2012…is fast becoming a memory!  The Summer string of concerts and festivals across Western Canada will go down in the history books as one season that gave the Baby Boomers one last hurrah!
   

Photo: Contributed

Canadian Rock Legends were hard at work over this past Summer.  Treading the boards all across the prairies and into the West Coast, so many, that the Summer of 2012 could have been the Summer of 1978!  Artists such as ‘April Wine’, Kenny Shields & Streetheart’, Harlequin’, ‘Anvil’ and many more.  From Winnipeg to Vancouver and many points in between, these Artists appeared at numerous open-air festivals, clubs and concert halls.  It was a great summer, and the best is yet to come, as Canadian Classic Rock groups are touring into the Fall.  “Honeymoon Suite” are continuing a criss-cross Canadian tour that has seen them touchdown in places like Merritt, Kamloops, and Tumbler Ridge, as well as bigger centres.  The trend for these groups?  To play where rock n’ roll gave birth; the small communities with their unique clubs, pubs and music halls.  Such as ‘Honeymoon Suite’, the performances were top notch, playing all the familiar numbers and some new creations.  Darby Mills took the ‘Headpins’ out for a jaunt, and in the process, showed everyone that she still has the chops!  Even a good friend of Darby’s: Holly Woods, came back to Canada to let ‘Toronto’ have a run, with a generous helping of Toronto tunes plus some of her more recent Work.  Ms. Woods can certainly belt out the Rock/Blues scorchers and ballads, and still with an enormous level of energy.

Photo: Contributed

     It was once said that when one heard this Western Canadian’s voice on the radio, you knew you were west of Winnipeg!  Kenny Shields took ‘Streetheart’  across Western Canada and back again, what with more than thirty shows, we were immersed with ‘Action’, ‘Miss Plaza Suite’ and the like---sung like never before.  Standing ovation, after standing ovation, greeted these hit masters all over our part of Canada!  ‘Prism’ started out in Kamloops early in 2012, inviting their old singer Henry Small on stage for a blistering set, and they never looked back.  With twenty odd dates and still counting, that old Spaceship Superstar is more than just idling. 
      This past Summer has seen more Canadian Artists dust of their road boots and answer the encore call!  “Helix” and “Queen City Kids”, just to name two more.  Most of our musical heroes have at least two Original members, if not more.  Yes, we are still seeing and hearing the real thing!  One of the many surprises upon attending these classic concert performances is that we hear new material!  And it is just as strong as the songs from their more heady days.  So, if you missed out this Summer, no worries, as most of these legends are still treading the boards, well into the winter. 
   

Photo: Contributed

The huge news, of course is the Rock n’ Roll Revival of the West coast’s own ‘Loverboy’, is touching down in Kelowna with reinforcements!  ‘Journey’ and ‘Night Ranger’, will add to this most pleasurable concert experience just in time for the December snows!  A great way to end off a truly classic year!

Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

The Blue Gator:  Young ‘Uns:  Sept. 7th/8th     Rann Berry’s Random Act:  Sept. 14th/15th       Jimmy Leguilloux:  Sept. 21st/22nd   Moni Funk:  Sept. 28th/29th

Doc Willougby’s:  Acres Of Lions:  Sept. 15th

Minstrel Café:  Blue City Trio:  Sept. 8th    Broken Mirrors:  Sept. 14th   The Rowdymen:   Sept. 15th   Fighting Orange:   Sept. 21st/22nd   Maria Muldaur:   October 4th

The Pheasant & Quail Pub:  Steppin’ Out:  Sept. 7th/8th   Diamond Road:  Sept. 14th/15th   Sherman Ducette & the Blues Duet:  Sept.21st/22nd   Donovan Sweet:  Sept. 28th/29th

Notable Concerts:  

Kelowna Community Theatre:  Andre-Philippe Gagnon:  November 9th    Colin James:  November 12th    
Level:  ’Carnival Of Death Tour’  Featuring:  Obituary  Broken Hope  Decrepit Birth  Jungle Rot  and Encrust   September 22nd

Prospera Place:  John Fogerty:  Sept. 27th    Journey/Loverboy/Night Ranger:  December 1st 

“Rann Berry and the One Hit Wonders” are set to encore their fabulous show on September 21st, and again at the Kelowna Community Theatre!  Tickets are available at all usual outlets. 

‘Notes & News’: Great news!...from Rock Candy Records: the digital re-mastered music of Angel:  the group’s first three albums will be released; the self-titled debut and “Helluva Band”/”On Earth As It Is In Heaven”!   ‘The Darkness’ have finally released their third album, and is available in North America: ‘Hot Cakes’ is receiving rave reviews on the other side of the Atlantic, it will be interesting if ‘The Darkness’ can gain back their success on our shores.  Glen Frey has surprised a lot of people with his recent release, “After Hours”. Taking a page out of Rod Stewart’s handbook by recording some American Standards!  ‘After Hours’ is a pleasant enough record, but no rockers.

……if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  fbainternational@telus.net  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!