Band: All Business Formed: 2010 Home: Chatham Ontario Genre: Rock Cover Band
Members Scott Martin– Vox Danny Martin– Slide Guitar Tom Vandeven – Guitar Matt Broadbent – Bass Brandon Valdivia – Percussion
All business is one of those bands that have all great musicians who play rock & metal that your typical radio station does not play. If you’re looking for that college pub night out that does not include your typical “top 40″ song selections, these are rightfully your guys to go see live. The band recently appeared at the Elephants Nest in Chatham. Most of the members have played together under various band names over the years.
Variety:R&B, BLUES, CLASSIC ROCK, POP
STANDARDS, AND A TOUCH OF COUNTRY.
Members WAIDE HOLLAND– Hammond Organ & Piano RICK RANKIN – Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Notes: Texas Tee is made up of two of the finest quality players Chatham has to offer. Both members have played in many of the area’s most popular bands through the years. Rick is most noted musically for being the lead singer and guitarist for ‘Manpower’ since its inception. Waide has played for many bands beginning with Zeke and the Moonshiners (Missing Links) , Texas, Rebel, and more.
Live: Texas Tee performances include:
LIGHTHOUSE COVE On., BR.628 CANADIAN LEGION (Chatham), Royal Tavern & more.
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Name: Jeanne Gordon (Ruby Jeanne Gordon) Genre: Opera singer Year: 1919 Home: Wallaceburg Ontario
Ruby “Jeanne” Gordon was an Canadian opera singer active during the early 1900s
Ruby got her big break in July 1919. She was called to New York and offered a three year Metropolitan Opera contract by Giulio Gatti-Casazza. Shortly after signing her contract she changed her name to “Jeanne” Gordon. Her debut performance was as Azucena in Il trovatore. In 1919 she created the roles of the Fairy and Mme Berlingot in L’oiseau bleu by Albert Wolff in its world premiere. She made guest appearances with the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in 1928.
Recordings: Gordon recorded 78s for Columbia and Victor in the 1920s.
Her only teacher was Albert Ham, with whom she studied while attending Toronto’s Havergal College. As a girl she often sang before Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Married unhappily (1908) to Ralph K. Trix of Detroit, she nevertheless followed him to the USA, but left him in 1917 and began her career as a professional singer in New York.
In New York Gordon appeared at the Rialto Theatre, singing operatic ‘interludes’ as part of a variety program. These appearances led to a contract with the Creatore Grand Opera, and she made her debut 11 Dec 1918 in Brooklyn as Amneris in Aida. She toured with the Scotti Grand Opera the following spring and made a highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut 22 Nov 1919 as Azucena in Il Trovatore. She remained a principal contralto with that company for nine consecutive seasons, her repertoire consisting of two dozen roles (in French, Italian, German, and English), including Carmen, Dalila, Eboli in Don Carlo, Marina in Boris Godunov, Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde, and several novelties. She also sang in the premieres of Albert Wolff’s L’Oiseau bleu and Henry Hadley’s Cleopatra’s Night. For virtually all of her opera roles she was coached by Wilfrid Pelletier. Maintaining an active concert schedule she sang in Montreal 11 Mar 1926 on an all-Canadian program under Pelletier with Edmund Burke, Florence Easton, and Edward Johnson and in Toronto 27 Jan 1927 with the National Chorus under Albert Ham. After guest appearances with the Monte Carlo Opera in 1928 in Europe, with the TSO during its 1929-30 season under Luigi von Kunits, and with the Toronto Promenade Orchestra in 1930 under Reginald Stewart (her last appearance), she suffered a mental collapse and was admitted to a Missouri sanatorium, where she remained until her death of a heart attack.
A tall and handsome woman with a magnetic personality and a true contralto voice of extraordinary range and richness, Gordon never quite fulfilled the promise evident in such notices as that published by Musical America after her 1921 Metropolitan appearance as Brangäne: ‘The most satisfactory all-round individual contribution to the performance was made by Jeanne Gordon whose lovely contralto and fine sense of pictorial and dramatic values received thrilling expression’.
She recorded nine single-sided 78s for Columbia (1920-2) and two in 1925 for Victor. All are listed in Roll Back the Years. In 1927 she appeared in a few Warner Brothers-Vitaphone shorts, singing operatic excerpts with Martinelli, Gigli, and others. She shares with Edward Johnson and Marie Louise Edvina a Rococo recording (No. 5254) of operatic arias.
Venue: Chatham Capitol Theatre City: Chatham Ontario Canada Year: 2010 Address: 238 KING ST W
Visit their website here.
The Chatham Capitol Theatre is a 1214-seat entertainment venue in the heart of downtown Chatham, Ontario. The theatre first opened as a movie house in 1930 and has recently undergone a reconstruction to become a first-rate destination for live entertainment. The theatre will open its doors to the public in summer/fall of 2010.
The Capitol features a deluxe new balcony with 455 seats in addition to 759 seats on the orchestra level. The 65-foot fly tower and state-of-the-art rigging allows for larger scale and more technically advanced productions. The orchestra pit is designed for the optimal acoustic experience and can also be raised to floor or stage level as desired.
The theatre features art deco detailing throughout with gilded décor, opera boxes, an ornate ceiling, and much more. It is equipped with three lounges, an elevator, and is fully accessible.
2010 performers include:Bill Cosby, Howie Mandel, Great Big Sea, Chantal Kreviazuk, Michelle Wright, Josh Turner (Country Star), Corb Lund, Colm Wilkinson, The Rankin Family & more.
History: Late 1927 – The dream of a new modern theatre in the downtown core of Chatham was begun by Charles Hadley, a prominent businessman in the city.
April 11, 1930 – Mayor Burton L. Bedford formally opened the new Capitol Theatre and dedicated it as the Palace of Pastime to a sold out audience. With a seating capacity of 1500, it was one of the largest theatres in Western Ontario. The opening night feature was the musical comedy “Sally” staring Marilyn Miller.
The next 20 years – The Theatre seating capacity was reduced to 1,000 seats and many minor renovations were undertaken, such as the relocation of the ticket booth from inside to outside the theatre.
1975 – The largest renovation took place when the theatre was split down the centre into two cinemas of 472 seats each, thus bringing the total seats down to 944.
1992 – Famous Players Theatre abandoned the property as a viable movie theatre and the City of Chatham purchased the property.
November 1995 – The Chatham Capitol Theatre Coalition made a proposal to save the theatre and restore it as an entertainment venue. The Coalition was later incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and obtained Registered Charitable status in August 1996.
Band: Circus Wreck Year: 2010 Formed: 2009 Home: Chatham-Kent Genre: Rock cover band
Members: Jamie Michaud – Lead Vocals/Guitar Jay Bateman – Drums/Vocals Mark Gander – Bass Guitar/Vocals Steve Tremblay – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Notes: Circus Wreck was formed in the summer of 2009 with members from local bands “Comaphoric”,”Fletcher Munson”,”Monkey Unit?” and “Buster Hymen”.The bands music is described as “The edgier side of mainstream radio rock”. Circus Wreck recreates music from some of rock and rolls greatest bands ranging from legends Led Zeppelin to some of todays hottest bands like Nickleback, Buck Cherry and Thousand Foot Crutch.
Contact Circus Wreck through their “circus Wreck” facebook group.
Check out Jay’s music online here.
Check out Jamie’s music online here.
Check out Steve’s music music online here.
Band: King Friday Year: 2010 Home: Chatham-Kent, Essex Genre: Modern & Classic Rock.
Musicians: Leo Roy – Bass Francis Mailloux – Drums Mike (Lippo) LaPlante – Guitars Dan Taylor – Vocals, Guitar
The bands set lists includePearl Jam, AC/DC, Audioslave, Metallica, Weezer, Nirvana, Green Day, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Black Crowes, James Brown, System of a Down, Creed, Alice Cooper, Barenaked Ladies, R&B Standards, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and much more.
This is a very good band to see if you get the chance.
Venue: The River Rock City: Chatham Ontario Address: 187 King St Year: Circa 2008
The River Rock is located in down town Chatham along side many other night life establishments. The River Rock occasionally hosts live bands for special events but mainly serves as a dance club. It often holds teen dances to give the 19 and under crowd a place to go and enjoy themselves.
The Venue has been around for a few years and was originally a movie theatre.
It had closed for some years, then reopened in June 2019.
Band: Spring Blood Year: Circa 1977 Genre: Rock Home: Chatham
Original Members: Mike Shaw – Guitar Lyle Hitchcock – Bass Dan Bullard – Keyboards Ralph Bekaert – Drums
Ted Shaw replaced Mike Shawon guitar and Dan Cady was added as a second guitarist. Lyle Hitchcockleft and Dan Cadytook over on Bass as Keith Barnwellwas added on guitar. After that the Kiss tribute was dropped and there were more member changes as time went on until the band dissolved sometime around 1979.
Ted Shaw left to join an Alice Cooper Tribute band out of Woodstock Ontario named Razz, with former Ash Mountain drummer (Alice) Paul Nickelo.
Spring Blood was a fun band known for their Kiss Tribute set with costumes and all. They also played regular sets as well.
Members (L-R in above picture) Jeff Mifflin – Guitar Bob Wilson – Bass Rick Chrysler – Drums Phil Caron – vocals, harmonica and guitar
Notes: The music is high energy R&B, BLUES, SOUL and MOTOWN.The band is getting very popular in London, Sarnia and Windsor. Bob and Rick put this band together with the intention of playing the music they love,and trying to be different than any other band currently on the scene.
Currently performing @
London – WORTLEY ROADHOUSE
Sarnia – UPS N DOWNS
Chatham – RibFest, Big Shots, The Jazzbah
Venue: The Pyranon Ballroom What: Chatham’s premier dance hall Location: Chatham Ontario Year: 1945
Note: When record hops were the in thing, as many as 1,600 young people would come out on a Friday night to dance. The music they were excited about was Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and the likes of.
Many big acts of the time played this venue on Colborne Street. The Wilf Lancaster Orchestra was the local band that performed there regularly.
The Pyranon was constructed by Maurice Smyth. The first group to play the hall was Al Edwards and his band from Windsor.
Other events at the Pyranon: Bingo, wrestling, proms, fashion shows, banquets, social and political gatherings.
Big Bands that played: Sammy Kaye, Victor Lombardo, Vaughn Monroe, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, The Glen Miller orchestra, Les Brown, and Gene Krupa. The local ‘Big Band’ Wilf Lancaster Orchestra performed there regularly.
Band: Dead End Charlie Genre: Rock Home: Chatham-Kent Year: 2010
Members Frank E. Fitz: Lead Vocals, Guitar Aug Polowick: Lead Guitar Paul Demars: Drums, Backing Vocals Dwayne Purdy: Bass, Backing Vocals.
The group put out a Demo CD in 2008 that was a good solid rock record. This time around, Paul exchanges his lead vocal duties to play the drums where he feels most at home. So who is the new singer? No problem… the group scooped up Phil Smith (A.K.A. Franklin Edward Fitz) from one of the best local underground bands in Chatham “The Grave Misunderstanding“.
The groups new found talent, and fresh creative juices means nothing but good things for them right now.
Note: Paul also currently drums for the band Finding Core.
Aug also performs with The Southwest Blues Review.
Members Kenny Deuxberry – Vocals Eric Broadbent – Guitars & B Vox J.Z Taine – Bass & B Vox Paul Demars – Drums & B Vox
The band name ‘Finding Core’ has been around for ten years but the revolving door of members through the years has been tough on them. This year, the band arrives again with fresh blood and ideas with a new singer & drummer on board to join Eric and J.Z, the group’s longest running members. The group is looking to change its plan from a ‘family oriented’ status to a heavier hard rock approach this time around.
After many set backs, they say they are ready and feel they are at their best ever.
The band is most noted for their media blitzes and mass self marketing across the internet. If they can combine that effort with some solid new music, they will be a band to keep an eye out for.
Unlike most local bands that do it as a hobby, Finding Core has big plans to pursue music beyond that. They continue to try to get label representation, a publishing deal, and secure global distribution. They are also determined as a band to make a lifelong career out of the music that they create and play. Hopefully the hard work will someday pay off for Finding Core. Kenny and Paul are great guys to see in this band this year. Go check em out.
Members Rick Rankin – guitar Brent Hunter – bass Pat Crone – drums Tom Starks – keyboards
The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.
Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981.
The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.
With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist.
About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script. The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.
The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed. Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.
Members in 1979 Rick Rankin– guitar Randy Young – bass Pat Crone – drums Tom Starks – keyboards
The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.
Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981.
The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.
With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist.
About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script. The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family. The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed. Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.
Members in 1978 Rick Rankin – guitar Randy Young – bass Pat Crone – drums Tom Starks – keyboards Dave Sass – sax
The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.
Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981. The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.
With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist. About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script. The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.
The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed. Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.
Members: Raymond Violot– Vocals and sax. Jim Knettle – Bass Steve Fowler – Guitar Ron Baldwin – Drums.
Jack Austin had a long stint as the Blenheim Hotel house band, and when he moved on to something else, the spot was taken over by this band.
The band ran from 1973 through 1975. They spent the summer of 1974 as the house band for the Tilt ‘N’ Hilton in Erieau and the summer of ’75 as the house band for the Blenheim Hotel.
An interesting note about Jim Knettle is that he received his A.R.C.T. in classical guitar in Toronto then moved to Hong Kong to join one of the most popular Chinese touring groups named ‘Chyna’. He has recorded with them and is doing very well.
Watch video of Jim Knettle (circa 2010) Video shot in Hong Kong with his neice. Click here for video link.
Ron Baldwin was the drummer for the Jack Austin Trio, but joined this band to carry on his position as the drummer for these shows.
Steve Fowler became an accomplished guitar player and teacher. Steve has played with some of the biggest names in the Canadian Music Industry over the years since his early start here, and is the man behind the “Old Autos Television” theme song (Circa 2009). His retro tunes are also the driving force behind many “Old Autos Segments”. He has many other works published as a composer, producer, and co-writer.
The band was not given a ‘band name’ that anyone can recall. Simply four guys making music.
Venue: Rossini’s Restaurant Year: 2010 Live entertainment:Rossini’s often has performances from local jazz, classical, and acoustic musicians. Address: 634 Grand Avenue East Phone: (519) 352-2920
Web: http://rossinisrestaurant.ca/
About: Rossini’s is one of Chatham’s oldest restaurants. Founded in 1948 by Carlo and Amalia Rossini, the restaurant has grown from the original 30 to 150 seats.
Amalia, “Mamma Rossini” longed to recreate the warmth and ambiance of the family home in the Fruili region of Italy, and hence, our “fogolar” or hearth was built in the new dining room.
In Italy, this fireplace gave light to the house as well as warmth, a fire to cook on, and a place to gather; relax and share the events of the day.
Mamma passed away in January 1995. Bill and Jean Rossini continued to run the family operation using her original recipes. Ed, Berta and Devon Prelaz purchased the restaurant in 2003 and will continue to carry on the traditions of Carlo, Mamma, Bill and Jean.
We hope that the fogolar and the decor that surrounds you will recapture the genuine hospitality, warmth and friendship of an old Italian home, where family and friends would gather to enjoy delicious home cooked meals, good wine and happy times.
Every Sunday evening through the summer of 2010, Rossini’s presents live jazz music on their patio.
The band is made up of… Byron Harrett – Saxes Andy Tattersall – Guitar Bob Hiltz – Bass Ken Crone also performed.
Chatham Music Archive 