Historical Vignette


Winnipeg’s musical roots


By John Einarson


John Einarson (front centre) with Burton Cummings, Neil Young and Randy Bachman.


was born in Winnipeg? He’s also the inspiration for Oscar the Grouch. Bet you didn’t know that a Winnipeg rock ‘n’ roll band sold more records in 1970 alone than the entire Canadian recording industry combined to that point and even played at the White House. Or that Quebec’s most beloved music star is actually from Manitoba. For a province that accounts for roughly 3.6 per cent of


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Canada’s population, Manitoba has produced a surprising number of music stars and innovators. In fact, Manitoba recording artists account for far in excess of 100 million recordings sold worldwide. Te swinging sixties


In the 1960s, Winnipeg was the acknowledged rock ‘n’


roll capital of Canada. A thriving music scene centred on neighbourhood community clubs and teen nightclubs be- came the spawning ground for the likes of international superstar Neil Young, the Guess Who, Randy Bachman and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and Burton Cummings, among others. But Winnipeg was more than just about rock music. Broadway icon, Len Cariou, (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music) grew up here and began his career singing in local clubs and theatrical productions. Lucille Starr, widely regarded as the greatest Canadian country singer, was born here. Her 1964 record, Te French Song, became the first million-selling record by a Canadian country music artist. It was produced in Los Angeles by Herb Alpert of Tijuana Brass fame and topped the charts


36 • Summer 2015


id you know that two of the greatest cowboy songs of all time were composed by a Win- nipegger? And did you know that North America’s foremost authority on folk music


in several countries around the world, including an un- precedented 19 weeks at #1 in the Netherlands. Lucille was also the singing voice of Cousin Pearl on Te Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Revered as the greatest guitar player ever, Lenny Breau


got his start in Winnipeg playing country music and jazz gigs as well as being the go-to guitarist at the CBC. Lenny’s innovative amalgamation of country, flamenco and classical guitar styles revolutionized jazz guitar play- ing. In the 1960s, Winnipegger “Our Pet Juliette” hosted the number-one-rated musical/variety show in Canada. American television star Gisele Mackenzie appeared sev- eral times on Te Ed Sullivan Show and Te Jack Benny Show, and she co-hosted the weekly Your Hit Parade. She was born Gisele LaFleche in Winnipeg. And it was here at Winnipeg International Airport on Aug. 18, 1964 at 2:05 p.m. that Te Beatles first set foot in Canada and were first interviewed by Canadian media. International rises to fame


Terry Jacks of Te Poppy Family fame (Which Way You Going Billy; Where Evil Grows) was born and raised in Winnipeg. His solo recording of Seasons in the Sun sold more than 13 million copies in 1974, earning him multiple Juno awards. Tat same year Bachman-Turner Overdrive, formed by Winnipeggers Randy Bachman and Fred Turn- er, topped the charts in 21 countries around the world. During their time together, BTO earned 120 platinum, gold and silver recording awards. Teir signature song, Ta- kin’ Care of Business, was first conceived in Randy’s north Winnipeg home and has become a rock music anthem used in a dozen commercials.


The Hub


All photos courtesy of John Eirnarson unless otherwise noted.


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