Don’t Believe A Word I Say with Bob Segarini

The Rock Files: Nicholas Jennings’ Wayback Machine: It was more like a High School Reunion, really…

I think I’ve been to about a million Industry get-togethers over the years. Most of them in celebration of a new record or movie release, some to mark a milestone of some sort, and all of them populated by a large cast of people ranging from the Major Players to the Wide Eyed Newbies, a smattering of friends, strangers, and the Usual Faces, and, depending on the era, everything from crab claws, mounds of shrimp and an open bar, to a beer ticket or two and a bowl of cheese doodles.

Usually, the focus of these things are the people that are the reason for the gathering in the first place. A party celebrating the release of Cuts Like A Knife, for example, meant you got the chance to be in a room with Bryan Adams, maybe have a beer with him, or talk about doing some fishing.

Some of these parties are waay too big, a sea of people jockeying for position at the bar, or seeking an audience with the famous or infamous that dot the landscape. Some are painfully under-attended, and, while making it easier to grab another beer ticket, uncomfortable for both the honored subject, and the few who showed up. Think the in-store promo scene in Spinal Tap.

Last night I was fortunate enough to attend that rarest of gatherings. A delight from the moment I stepped into the Gladstone Hotel, to the moment I stepped out and headed home.

The reason we went to the Gladdy, (beautifully renovated over the last several years), was a lovely party to celebrate two CBC documentaries that follow up what was started with Shakin’ All Over, Nick Jennings’ ode to the Canadian music industry, which focused primarily on the 1960’s, and the humble beginnings and early contributors, who led the way to our current wealth of great music past and present, and that elusive ‘star system’ that Canada had always lacked.

That is no longer the case. The Canadian Star System is firmly in place.

The 2 documentaries, This Beat Goes On, and, Rise Up, continue the history started in Shakin’ All Over, the first focusing on the ‘70’s, and the latter, the ‘80’s. They will run on the CBC in hour long segments, on 4 consecutive Thursdays, starting on August 27^th. You can read details here

And if you have not read Nicholas’ Before the Gold Rush, you owe it to yourself to grab a copy and curl up with it. You can order it here

To Nicholas Jennings, a hearty thank you, for a wonderfully entertaining trip down memory lane, and a great night out.

Now then, let’s go to the party…

The Gladstone Hotel

This place, once a hotbed of low end sleaze, heavy drinkers, and lost weekends, has become an absolutely beautiful building full of themed hotel rooms, spacious and inviting bars, an excellent kitchen, and some event rooms that are well run and, as Goldilocks so eloquently put it, “Just right!”

The ballroom was a perfect fit, not only for the event, but for the people that populated it.

The Food

The choices kept changing throughout the evening. From the expected snack bowls of peanuts, pretzels, assorted chips and the ubiquitous cheese doodles, to some refreshing and delicious surprises, including two of my all time favourites, deviled eggs…and corn dogs! Corn dogs? Yep. Coolest thing ever. What was really interesting was how the food kept just materializing in different places around the room. The staff at the Gladdy apparently have a ‘stealth’ mode. Whoever came up with the menu gets an ‘A’ for inventive, enjoyable, and non-pretentious fare that fit the bill.

The Bar

Never crowded, never pushy, never a wait…and the bartenders were quick, remembered names, and were very pretty. Kudos for the free flowing beer and wine, as well.

The People

I should have taken a camera. I should have kept notes. I should have treated my first wife much better than I did. And although I have learned all these things, I cannot go back in time and fix them. I will do my best to remember everyone and everything. For my American friends and those of you who have recently become interested in the Canadian Entertainment Industry, Google any of these names to learn more. Here we go…

Donnie Walsh (The Downchild Blues Band)

Seeing Donnie standing there, beer in hand was a pleasant surprise. Gearing up for Downchilds’ big 40^th Anniversary Tour in October, he is another Canadian Icon that deserves a movie about his life and times. Danny Ackroyd joins the tour for the Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto shows, and other guests show up in different cities. If you were not aware of it, Downchild is the band that inspired Danny and John Belushi to become The Blues Brothers.

See what Downchild is up to, here:

Bernie Finkelstein (True North Records)

Yeah, he is a Legend and a fine man, but he is also a great story teller and a repository of more jokes than I can remember. We had a nice chat, and Bernie told me he is writing his memoirs. I can hardly wait.

Kerry Doole and Gerald Dewan

Old friends, and fine journalists. As per usual, we held up the bar for awhile, and caught up on old times.

Martin and Barbara Onrot

Two of Canadian music’s greatest supporters. These two were everywhere back in the day, either part of what was happening, or as fans with a genuine love of the people that made the music happen. And, like so many of the folks at this party, looking absolutely fit and healthy.

Kim Mitchell (Max Webster)

I idiotically did not recognize Kim when we ran into each other. Why? I have no idea. Not only has he grown into a fine on-air presence at Q107, but he still plays a mean guitar, sings a wicked tune, and has a very well honed sense of humour. Max Webster gets some well deserved props in This Beat Goes On.

The Good Brothers

God, I love these guys. I first met them back in the mid ‘70’s at David Henman’s ex wife’s house on O’Conner before I even moved to Toronto from Montreal. They introduced me to the art of ‘Hot Knives’, and if you remember what that is, you’ll know what a revelation it was. While we were so occupied, Gail, (David’s ex), got a call from Gordon Lightfoot, who was in Australia on tour. I wouldn’t actually meet Gordon for a few more years, but just being in the house with the Goods, and Gordon on the phone…hey, it was a great night for the fanboy in me.

Years later, when the Good Brothers started their annual golf tournament, I won the ‘Worst Golfer’ trophy, which I still have, and hosted the after party with John Candy. A woman came up to John and asked him to pose for a picture with her 10 year old son. John said, “Sure!”, and handed the boy a beer and stuck a lit Marlboro in his mouth, and put his arm around the now drinking/smoking 10 year old. The Mom gleefully snapped the picture.

I also remember another Good Bros. golf tournament when either Bruce or Brian Good drove a perfectly good golf cart into a pond. All that, The Rodeo Song and Fox On the Run. What’s not to love about these guys.

Murray McLauchlan

The first record ever played on Q107 was Murray’s Hard Rock Town and his contributions to Canadian folk music are well documented. Still playing, sometimes with Ian Thomas and Marc Jordan, Murray is just as down to earth and engaging as he always has been. In fact, not one person in attendance showed any signs of rampant ego, self importance, or negative energy. I love this fucking country…

The Kings

Seeing Dave Diamond, Zero, Max Styles, and other assorted Kings over the years, it is always a good sign when they’re in the room. A bunch of seasoned vets that have yo-yo’d through decades of a career that, like almost all the artists involved in Nicholas Jennings’ fine work, have withstood the test of time. We got to play catch up and do a bit of reminiscing, Max and I about our time spent together in the highly underrated Cats and Dogs, and Dave and I recalling a great party 20 years ago at Eddie Schwartz’s Uncle Mendel’s house. The guest of honor at this little soiree was Gene Simmons, who, resplendent in 3 piece pinstriped suit, recalled writing to the same comic book fanzine I used to write to. I’ve never owned a Kiss album, but I never missed a show. I got to spend quality time with Gene talking comics that night thanks to Dave. I also remember Zero sitting in front of the fireplace, staring at the fire. I should have asked him about that.

Lorraine Segato (Parachute Club)

Still beautiful and a real presence when she walks into a room, Lorraine’s Parachute Club contributes the title of the second documentary, Rise Up, one of my favourite songs from the Queen Street/’80’s scene that blossomed in Toronto and continues to influence Canadian artists to this day. I forgot to ask after the sax player that played with Lorraine back in the day. I think her name was Margo, and she was a little slip of a thing that got great tone out of the sax. She played the horn on my Christmas song, It’s Christmas, and the Parachute Club’s bassist, Kier Brownstone, was an original member of the Segarini Band, playing bass on all the tracks of my first A&M EP.

Kevin Staples (Rough Trade)

The other half of Rough Trade, and still as fashionable as ever. Carole (Pope), was absent, but well represented in the documentary.

Cleave Anderson (Battered Wives, Blue Rodeo, The Screwed)

Legend has it that if Cleave plays in your band, he will move on just before the band becomes successful. One of the great drummers, and the spark, (along with his new band, The Screwed), that has ignited the current Punk Revival here in The Big Smoke. He has played with so many great players, and bands, among them, The Battered Wives, and Blue Rodeo. He also has a perpetual look of ‘happy’ on his face. Cleave is another guy that has many stories to tell.

Ralph Alfonso

Ralph and a handful of like-minded individuals created the Crash and Burn, a basement club that in the summer of ’77, launched the punk movement here in Canada, and fueled a flurry af clubs and bands that were soon the centre of attention in Toronto, London, and New York. The Diodes, The Curse, The Ramones, The Nerves, all played the club. Debbie Harry and other touring musicians stopped by as well, including Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, who got into a pretty brutal fist fight, with Motor Mike from the Ugly.

Ian MacKay and John Hamilton (Diodes)

Two of the Diodes. The other two, Paul Robinson and John Catto live in England, but Ian says they’ll be coming back to town to play some dates some time next year. Hamilton was also in a band I produced called The Secrets, and what a great band they were. Freddie Pompeii and Chris Hate from The Viletones, John from The Diodes, and Motor Mike. We recorded a live version of the Doo-Wop classic, Zoom during a radio broadcast in November of 1978 with Freddie on lead that still kicks ass.

Christopher Ward

Great to see Chris and his wife at this do. I haven’t seen him since the late ‘80’s. Christopher not only remains a fine songwriter, but back in 1984, when we both worked for Moses Znaimer and John Martin, he helped re-define the role of VJ at MuchMusic by adding an element of comedy, (and fromage), to the proceedings, and introducing a then unknown Mike Myers to the Canadian public.

I lent him some authentic ‘60’s and ‘70’s ‘rockstar’ clothes for some of their sketches, including a pair of tie-dyed crushed velvet pants made by Jim Morrison’s wife, Pam, a high collared Edwardian jacket made out of brocade upholstery, and a pair of blue suede platform boots that used to make me about 6 foot 7.

Andy Frost

A Winnipegger, originally, and a Torontonian by choice, Andy is the voice of Psychedelic Sunday, and announces Leafs games among other things. A Little Feat fan with a fine set of Pipes, Andy and I go way back.

However, I am not authorized to publicly detail any of our adventures. Damn.

Michie Mee

The Queen of Canadian Hip Hop since 1987, and introduced to me by Nicholas during this party. A real pleasure.

Richard Flohil

It’s not an industry party of Richard isn’t there. He was there. It was a great party.

Dean Cameron and Warren Stewart (EMI)

Old school record men with an eye to the future and the independent acts that will populate it. Dean has outlasted damn near every one of his peers and has been at it through every phase of the rise of the Canadian music scene. Warren has the enviable job of marketing EMI’s wonderfully colourful catalogue, and, if memory serves me, enjoys a good red wine with dinner.

Todd Miller

A good friend and owner of Radio That Doesn’t Suck, where we roll out A&R Online every Friday. Todd has become an on-air guy as well, spinning great music from his vast record collection, including a large amount of vinyl classics that never made it to CD. Check him out at: www.radiothatdoesntsuck.com

Denise Donlon

One of the most intelligent and imaginative people I have ever known. She has done it all, and continues to evolve as a master of just about every facet of the entertainment business that exists. She is currently the executive director of CBC Radio, has headed up both Sony records and MuchMusic, and has won numerous awards, including the Order of Canada.

When I first met Denise, she was working in the trenches and doing a lot of artist relations.  At the first annual Rock Express Awards, held at The Spectrum in Montreal back in 1982, I was, as usual, partying my ass off in a suite at The Fountain on Mountain with all the other crazies that hadn’t learned the importance of moderation yet, when there was a knock on the door. It was Denise, looking sharp and smarter than the rest of us. She gently pushed a young woman through the open door and said, “Bob, I’m going to be tied up for the rest of the afternoon. Can you please keep an eye on my friend, she’s here from Vancouver and doesn’t know very many people Thanks.”, and was gone. “Sure”, I said to no one. Denise was already down the hall.

So I introduced my charge to everyone and became quite impressed with this woman. I should have been. It was Darby Mills, from the Headpins.

Dan Hill

I had been introduced to Dan years ago at a CHUM listener appreciation and reunion party at some hotel out by the airport. I was a fan of his writing, and, even though I made fun of it as much as the next guy, had Sometimes When We Touch stuck in my head more often than not.  We didn’t even have time to have a chat. Years later, I heard a story that he had once had a song recorded by an emerging British artist for his debut album. After he made the deal, Dan received a phone call from Celine Dion’s people asking if Celine could record the song. She was at the height of her popularity and her next record was guaranteed to sell in the millions. Dan was elated until the voice at the other end of the phone said, “It’s a good thing we got it before anyone else did. She won’t record new a song that has a version out by another artist”. Dan booked a flight to England, convinced the artist there and his label to remove the song from their album, and flew home knowing that his song would be on Celine’s new release. The difference monetarily of course, was astronomical.

Last night, I asked Dan if the story were true. He assured me that it was.

Cool.

Then, he did something that totally caught me bt surprise. He looked at me and said, “You drink your Perrier, I’ll do it my way”.

Huh?

“You wrote that, right? Goodbye L.A?”, he said, smiling.

He then went on to tell me how much he liked my music while I stood there with my jaw dropped. Hell, I damn near spilled my Keith’s.

I thanked him and walked away. Dan Hill likes my music. The fanboy in me could not suppress the grin.

Nicholas Jennings had completed a trilogy mapping the incredible journey Canadian music had made from the ‘60’s through the ‘80’s. It is a remarkable feat considering how many stories there are to tell. Nick himself says he would have loved to have been able to do 12 chapters to tell more of the stories, feature more of the artists, and dig deeper into the music that inspired him to tackle such an enormous undertaking.

I watched the screeners of This Beat Goes On, and, Rise Up when I got home last night. I am going to watch them again when they play out on TV. Do yourself a favour and do not miss this. Nicholas and all the people that brought this to fruition deserve much applause. Let’s hope the CBC gives him the go ahead to do more of these. I, for one, would be extremely pleased.

Four consecutive Thursdays on CBC at 9:00 starting on August 27^th.

You owe me a beer, Nick.

Nah…this is quality entertainment.

I owe you one.

That’s enough for now. Email me at segarini@fyimusic.ca with your comments, complaints, and thoughts…and remember…don’t believe a word I say.

Bob “The Iceman” Segarini was in the bands The Family Tree, Roxy, The Wackers, The Dudes, and The Segarini Band and nominated for a Juno for production in 1978. He also hosted “Late Great Movies” on CITY TV, was a producer of Much Music, and an on-air personality on CHUM FM, Q107, SIRIUS Sat/Rad’s Iceberg 95, (now 85), and now provides content for radiothatdoesntsuck.com with RadioZombie, The Iceage, and PsychShack. Along with the love of his life, Jade (Pie) Dunlop, (who hosts and writes “I’ve Heard That Song Before” on RTDS), continues to write, make music, and record.