Hello Mr. Farrell:
It was a pleasure and of great interest reading your article in FYI about the Toronto sound of the Sixties. We were in soul heaven and I was very much a part of that scene. I am a bit upset and disappointed that you didn’t mention the group The Regents with Kay Taylor.
I played drums and in the late Fifties I met Steve Kennedy, a sax player and the two of us started our band called The Regents. We were joined by Brian Massey (bass), Tommy Goodings (later changed his name to Tommy Graham – guitar), Leslie Terrell (sax) and vocalist Kay Taylor. on Jan. 17,1961. Al Steiner started the Club Blue Note at 372 1/2 Yonge St.- an after hours dance club open Friday,Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 p.m. to usually 3:00 a.m.
Al Steiner offered The Regents the house band position. We were hired for $180.00 for all of us for the 3 days. Sounds incredible now but in those days not too bad. I still have the original contract signed by all of us and Al Steiner. We started playing on Jan. 20,1961 and maybe not because of us, Club Blue Note became an instant success and I believe thats when the R&B sounds of Toronto really started. Probably most if not all the bands and names you mentioned in your article came to the club to see and participate in our floor shows. We were very fortunate to back up many visiting music stars that came to Toronto to perform and then came to the club after their gig ended — ie. Bill Medley from the Righteous Brothers, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee from Chicago, Conway Twitty, one of the Supremes and so many more that I have forgotten.
Shawne & Jay Jackson
The Toronto musicians that performed with us, that i can remember were – Ronnie Hawkins and his Hawks – Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm etc., Jackie Shane, David Clayton Thomas, Diane Brooks, Grant Smith, George Olliver, Robbie Lane, Little Caesar, Jay and Shawne Jackson, Don Troiano and many more. So much R&B history came out of the Blue Note — ie. Tommy Goodings/Graham and the Big Town Boys, Bob Andrews (after we left the club) started Dunc and Judy and the Regents, Steve Kennedy started the Silhouette Revue with Diane Brooks and her daughter Joanne and the Canadian renowned keyboard player — now unfortunately no longer with us, the one and only Doug Riley. Jay and Shawne Jackson joined The Majestics and the “Rogues” featuring David (Sonny) Clayton Thomas played at the Blue Note for awhile. I would like to think that The Regents had some success in contributing to that awesome era and we are indeed proud.
I am pretty old now – 71 – and quite often when I read articles such as yours I have these incredible and priceless memories. Should you want to reminisce further or have questions, you can reach me at my email – petergroschel @sympatico.ca
I wonder if anybody has any pictures or videos from the Blue Note after hours club, not the one on Peach St. If so, I would love to hear from them.
PS:I am a friends with Wayne Cochrane, the white king of soul and the C.C.Riders and I receive frequent emails from him. For those who don’t know of him, he is now a Pastor with his own church in north Miami. He and the C.C.Riders in the late Sixties were, along with Loui Prima and the Witnesses, the number one and two acts to see in Las Vegas for many years. Still one of the greatest soul and R&B shows of all time. We were fortunate to catch his act at the El Mocambo on Spadina Ave. Wayne and his C.C.Riders get together once a year and I wish I had enough time to fly down to see them.
Sincerely:
Peter Groschel
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I recall one night at the Blue Note when Joanne Brooks, in pigtails and knee socks, sat in a chair and sang a beautiful song –I believe by Anthony Newley…”Who Can I Turn To”? She was fantastic. Great memories, but sadly, no pictures of the Blue Note in the 60s.
Hi Pete
I’ve got the same memories as you. I think we went in there as the house band in 66or 67, been so long I’m not sure anymore. I played drums for the Statlers, and when we came out changed to Sweet Blindness. Loved playing the bluenote, and working for Al and Jeri,those were good times.One that sticks in my mind was playing with Domenic and Roy at the Hawk’s Nest.
Cheers Danny
Who knew? – that this little place up a long narrow flight of stairs with no liquor license would have such a significant impact on the lives of so many musicians and fans of Soul / R&B / Jazz? I think the only refreshment came from pop machines. I can remember another place that was significant back then – Fran’s Restaurant. That’s the only place in Toronto that I know of where you could get something to eat in the middle of the night, after playing at the Note… lots of other musicians would be seen there too. It brought everyone down to a common playing field, if you know what I mean.
I played organ and sang for The Peppers.. We were the house band 1965 – 66.
It was many years ago but it was great. It was the club.
The ‘Note’ was the highlight of the 60′s, the music, the people. It was a place where we all came together & enjoyed….I remember, Al & Jeri & the ‘regulars’ going for Chinese food after the Note on Saturdays. The another restaurant we also went to was ‘Lindy’s’ – But of course, who can forget ‘Bassils’ across the street from the Note – the good old days….
I am glad someone finally mentioned the peepers (see KOU above) They were the house band when I went. They were a very tight R AND B group. Saw a lotta great floor shows.
I’ve been tempted to send this for some time but being an unknown and un-remembered in the music world, I refrained until now. Why now? Don’t know. Anyway, my memories of the old Club Blue Note are strong and fond. I worked with George Oliver back in the 60′s in the cartage dept. of C. P. Railway at the corner of Simcoe and Wellington Sts. I would go to the Club to listen to the music and wish I could be part of the scene so badly until one night the drummer failed to show and George, knowing I could play, asked if I would fill in. So there I was, with George on the ivories, Diane Brooks singing and others in the band, living my dream. For two nights I played and will never forget. Never and I’m now 67 years old. Just one of so many fond memories of the “old Toronto, Toronto the good”. Thank you. Jim
Sat in a couple of times with the Peepers when the guitarist was sick, Great band with Lou Mallia Danny O Mahoney George on drums and Guy on sax. Al used to push songs in on the juke box when the band took a break. They had live singers that sent chills up your spine.
First went there when the Silhouettes were playing. They were the best R&B band in the city, Howie on bass and Fred on drums now work for Jack Long. It is now the Medina restaurant and Basils is long gone.