In today’s Mailbag: More John Cleveland Hughes, More Wack and Roll Circus, and, Oh No! Stuck in Lodi again…

Quick Comments:If you happen to be in Toronto on Tuesday and you’re free around 2:30 in the afternoon, pop down to Blue Jay Way just South of King Street, and find a place to stand in front of the Diesel Theatre. Blue Rodeo will be playing live on the roof to kick off their new double CD and tour.

This coming Saturday Grant Smith and The Power are doing a show at the Estonian House at 958 Broadview Avenue. Details can be found on this Facebook page.

George Oliver, Rita Chiarelli, and an all star lineup of other great artists from Toronto’s R&B heyday plus dinner and dancing.

Hopefully, we’ll see you there…

To lead up to the show on Saturday, FYI’s Lisa McDonald has a great interview with Grant that will run over four consecutive days beginning on Tuesday, November 10^th. Grant talks about the early days, some amazing experiences in Vegas, and his current pet project that concerns Elvis fans.

Do not miss…

Finally…an early heads up for a show the original Segarini Band is doing on November 28^th at the Rivoli in Toronto as part of the International Pop Overthrow. If you saw the band back in the late ‘70’s, early ‘80’s, you’ll know what to expect. Details as the date draws closer. And now…

Here’s this week’s Mailbag…

Sandra Walterhouse-Hughes: Bob, thank you so much for that wonderful article about my husband, John Cleveland Hughes.  I’m still reeling from shock and pain and missing him so badly, but when I come across something as touching as what you’ve said I just have to pass along my gratitude to you.  John and I were only married just over 3 years, after having reunited after a 20 year span of being apart, but believe me when I tell you, that even I had known we would only have 7 years together, I wouldn’t have missed a moment of it.  Thank you for not only recognizing what a huge musician he was, but what an incredible spirit.

http://www.hughes-houseinteriors.com

Ron Christian: Bob, really enjoyed your stories about John…. thanks!

Denise Keirstead: So sorry to learn of the loss of your dear friend John Hughes

Michele Hartley: : ( sorry to hear of your loss. hugs

Mark John Vukovich: Sorry for your loss of John Cleveland Hughes.

Jim Chisholm: Hey Bob, John C Hughes sounds like a musician I would have liked to have known. I hope his memories survive with you and his family and friends.

SEG SAYS: I wish you all could have known John. Your well wishes and condolences are appreciated more than you know. Sandra, please pass these sentiments on to the rest of your family and friends.

Bart Bishop…

Melanie Pickrell: Hello Bob
Thanks for posting the memorial picture and the brothers and son of Bart Bishop are left to right: Greg Bishop on flute, Graham Bishop (Bart’s son), Rand Bishop, Jayson Bishop on Cello, Ted Bishop on piano. I am glad that I live close enough to Bart and Annie’s to have attended this memorial along with daughter Emily (Bart’s niece) and her husband James Sudd.

SEG SAYS: Thanks for the information Mel. Be well…

Wild boar, hunting, and jamming…

Pete Kashur: “some wild boar”…whoa Nellie; tempting, tempting!

SEG SAYS: You have the recipe…I have some plates and paper towels. Between the two of us we should be able to rustle up a bottle of  Patrone and some tortillas.

Jim Chisholm: I have a bonehead hunting story to tell. My dad gave me a 20 gauge shotgun one Christmas. I was into the idea of it a little bit. On my first day of successful hunting with Dad and my brothers, I bagged a rabbit in the morning. Later, I went up hill to hunt some more on my own and shot another one right away except it was white instead of seasonal brown. We got to thinking of some other folk who had a cottage on the lake and who kept a pet rabbit in a cage for years. Sure enough, they come toodlin’ down the lake in their boat and said “hello” and “we know your hunting. Can you keep an eye out for our beloved pet, who got out of his cage today?” Needless to say I was hiding under the cabin when they came along knowing full well the tragedy and gravity of the situation. It sure tasted good in the rabbit potty that we cooked up though. Doooohhhh! I never hunted again.

SEG SAYS: Our kids are lucky. We taught them to watch TV, play Nintendo, and mix a decent highball…

Lodi, Stockton memories…

Mark John Vukovich: Good to see Frank Colli visiting your column.

Kenny Blue Ray: Frank, Where did you Jam with Gary Wagner and Paul Hermann? I worked with Paul in 1973/74, and have known Gary a long time, too.
Where did you Jam with Wendel Western?? He had a voice White people longed to have, Soul Man, for Days.

I went to High School with Cherie, & CeCi, and Carla was a year ahead.
I didn’t hang out with em much, cause I had a 59 Black Danelectro and practiced alot. (It must have worked a bit, as I am on over 40 records. (All Blues) Lodi High and Lodi was a weird place to be, reminded me of Texas/Oklahoma when I toured most of the States, those places seemed like Lodi. I was happy to go to London England, 69-72 USAF, sure that was a drag, but London, sure wasn’t.
I toured the NW and some real redneck joints when I got back to CA…it was dangerous touring Idaho/Montana/Wyoming with long hair and NOT playing C&W!!!
Kenny ‘Blue’
Bay Area, CA

Gary Feikert: Oh yeah, Lodi. Nice place to grow up, but I left in 1967 never to return…now Chico, that was a groovy place in the early 70s. Beat the hell out of Vietnam.
Thanks Bob, looking forward to next ‘Don’t Believe a Word I Say’ and find out that you survived disaster in Idaho.
Baker Foxtrot Delta = B.F.D.

SEG SAYS: I love that this column also serves as a lost and found for missing persons from every city I’ve ever lived in. Discovering new friends when you’re young is great…rediscovering them when your older is even sweeter.

The Wack and Roll Circus hits the road…

Frank Gutch Jr.: Now THAT, Seg, was a cliffhanger neither seen nor heard since the likes of old time radio. And, in a flashback of childhood, I can only say what I thought then, when the good guy was about to fall off that cliff but was forced to wait until tomorrow or next week hanging by fingernails, “You B*****d!”. Will pay accordingly. You owe me twenty bucks, American. Can’t wait until the next installment.

SEG SAYS: Get in line…I owe everybody 20 bucks.

Mark Vukovich: Nice…a certified “cliffhanger” worthy of a sitcom episode on HBO…! Only this was/is real life…Vuke in Lodi…where some can hang and some cannot…!

Cherie Blackwell: Thanks for the mention, Bob! Story is great!

SEG SAYS: Just wait…there are stories coming up in the future that will take you back even further.

Toni Ambiel: Thanks again! Made me remember a few road trips of my own, they always sounded great on paper… like the Tahoe to Miami one I went on in 1970 was… well 6 thumbs down.

Michele Hartley: Your ending reminded me of the first time I came off my first mountain while I was learning to drive a big truck…but the story’s told much better by my ex who was in the sleeper listening to the jake brake scream and too afraid to come forward! all I know is a sharp curve was coming up and I looked down at the speedometer and noticed I was running 90 with a light load. all I can say is my 7 months I’m sure retired one angel!

SEG SAYS: Thanks for sharing, Michele. Better to stick close to the coop…

A Toronto flashback…

Gerry Mosby: Hi Bob,
I enjoy reading your articles, as they stimulate long-dormant memories of my road years.
I arrived at Union Station on September 2, 1974 – a long haired stringbean if a 19 year old BC bud – and immediately immersed myself in the TO bar scene, playing first with Trina, a Saskatchewan-based prog band in town on a series of ‘trial balloon dates’, as our manager, Al Higbee called them. Trina featured Greg Delaronde on lead vocals (he was the bassist, too, but the band felt he needed to front the band a la Yes, which is why they auditioned bass players…I got the gig); Malcolm Buchanan, a gifted keyboardist that would soon join Liverpool and make some REAL dough; Tommy (last name?), our laid back Bruford on the kit, and Brian Plummer on guitar and vocals, who would enjoy success on his own in the 80s.

But in the fall of ‘74, if you recall, Bob, the club scene was so dominant that, as Geddy once said at the Gasworks, “The TO scene may be TOO good”, in that local bands may not want to try their luck elsewhere when they could stay fully employed on the strip, six days a week.

Ah, themz wuz da daze!!

Anyhow, I could go on forever about the wonderful 70s Canadian music scene, but since you are such a great raconteur, Bob, I’ll leave that honor to you! Kudos, man.

By the way, have you heard from Miguel in Mexico? I hear he’s in his element and doing very well for himself.

Talk about a nine-life cat :-/
I miss his old Club 329 on Queen, which is where I most recently met you.

All the very best,
Gerry Mosby

SEG SAYS: Great story. Miguel looked hale and hearty the last time I saw him when he was visiting from Mexico. I’ve got some stories about him to share sometime down the line.

Paul Naumann and the Canadian Classic Rock List…

Andy E: Vintage Paul. Superb musician. Great guy. Much too young and sorely missed by many.

1975 I believe, in the aforementioned cabbage roll emporium: A Foot In Cold Water and Whiskey Howl on the same bill for an audience of about 200. What a night. No need for a description.

Presence galore and music to burn. Rest in Peace.
Andy E.
K-Town

SEG SAYS: Andy, (=Ae=), has a lot of fans on the CCR list. Count me among them…

Keith (Keef) Fraser: Glad Andy is back on the list, and sorry Paul can only be posthumous. Just plucking my ear hair so the ipod ear buds will fit when I get the leaf blower out to clean the lawn. Sorry ladies, I’m taken.

Lisa McDonald: What a great paragraph describing the Andy fella as “One of the most astute and verbally armed curmudgeons on the list….” Reading that paragraph makes me wanna meet the guy!

Denise: Thanks for mentioning our little corner of the internet planet..
I remember one of your top tens, I was reading it one night and it was so funny.. I laughed so hard out loud the neighbors dog started barking..
You never know what your are going to read next or learn on here and the famous and not so famous people who come here regularly are thebest!…and Ae…I enjoyed your posts with Paul, each time so imaginative and carefully thought out to keep us reading and waiting for the next one. You are a treasure to the CCR and glad to see you came back. Smiles and hugs.
Cheers CCR rockers

Sheila: Another great read. Thanks for the CCR history lesson – it helps me appreciate the list all the more.

Seg says: Just in case you missed it the last time, If you’d like to join the Canadian Classic Rock list…go here: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/canadianclassicrock/

And finally…

Derek AKA Rickness (A Fourth World):  Thanks for the great review. We are trying not to play too many shows in Toronto to but i will keep you posted when we are playing next in the area. That CD was recorded last yr. These guys have progressed so far from then. They put on an amazing live show. We dont want to over saturate our Toronto fans. If your in port dalousie this friday we are playing at The Lion from 9 pm on. Its gonna be a great show. Keep on listening to the CD. Thanks again for the review of the song. If your reviewing any others keep me posted. So have you only shot one duck in your life? I like the humour in your writing.

Cheers

Thanks to all of you who wrote and shared your stories with us. That’s why we’re here. See you all on Wednesday…

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, The Segarini Band, and Cats And Dogs, 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.