Liner Notes: Revealing Chats With Canada's Retro Music Makers

Ray Roper, singer/songwriter, guitar player, sound engineer and founder of the classic Canadian rock band, Stonebolt, chats with Dan Hare about: putting together Stonebolt; recording in the U.S.; the bands biggest hit 'I Will Still Love You'; meeting Wolfman Jack and Dick Clark; why the band "vanished" from the U.S. record charts; how recording has changed over the years; the bands The Edge and Tr...

Record collector and author Robert Lawson has written the definitive comprehensive history on The Guess Who in his new book 'Wheatfield Empire'. In this chat with Dan Hare Robert shares: the two year journey to getting the book written; interviewing Guess Who members; stories of the the bands records, recording sessions, concerts and more; the timeline of the bands music; the "revolving door" memb...

Winnipeg's Joey Gregorash had AM radio hits in the 1970s with 'Jodie' and the Juno award-winning 'Down By The River'. In this chat with Dan Hare Joey reveals; why he continues to live in Winnipeg; Randy Bachman's connection to his early band The Mongrels; winning the JUNO; how he went from selling mens suits to working in radio; creating and hosting "S'kiddle Bits" children's TV show; writing 'Tog...

Michael Godin is the host of Treasure Island Oldies show, a former Radio DJ and Program Director, VP of A&R for A&M Records, consultant and much more. In this chat he shares with Dan Hare: covering the John & Yoko bed-in in Montreal; his journey from radio to VP of the A&R department for A&M Records, Canada; signing Bryan Adams, Paul Janz, The Payolas and more; why he moved from Toronto to Vancouv...

Ken Tobias was a well-known singer/songwriter, guitarist, producer and painter who has written hit songs recorded by others (Stay Awhile by The Bells) and himself, best known for his '70s radio hits I Just Want To Make Music, Dream #2, Fly Me High, Every Bit of Love and New York City.  In this interview from 2021, Ken chats with Dan Hare about everything from: his stints on Music Hop and Sing...

Al Harlow is an icon of the Vancouver music scene and member of the iconic Canadian band Prism. In this chat Al shares with host Dan Hare: his exposure to the late sixties musicians; memories of first human be-in in Vancouver; living in England and being mentored by Long John Baldry; Bryan Adams writing contribution to Prism; touring with Meatloaf; his special friendship with Prism lead singer, th...

Craig Zurba is a well-known and accomplished Producer, Songwriter, Recording Engineer, Singer, Keyboardist, Film Composer, Programmer, Video Director, and Sound Designer. Here he chats with Dan Hare about: the ups and downs of his '80s band Agent including their two day record deal and how Heinz ketchup was pivotal in the bands career; songwriting with Bryan Adams; working with David Foster, Micha...

Ian Thomas' extensive career has earned him a JUNO (for 1973's Painted Ladies), four SOCAN awards, a UNICEF Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award and many other accolades and nominations. Artists such as America, Santana, Bette Midler and even Jon Bon Jovi have covered his songs. In this extensive interview with Dan Hare Ian talks about: his days working at CBC radio; the many aspects of recording, produc...

Les Vogt was the lead singer of the very first rock and roll recording band The Prowlers. In 1960 his record 'The Blamers' was #1 for 11 weeks on the Vancouver charts, knocking Elvis Presley's 'It's Now Or Never' out of top spot. Les opens up to Dan Hare about: the lack of music scene and biz in the '50s and '60s; his biggest regret as a performer; moving from performer to booking agent; managing...

You know Dan Hare as the host of this podcast but he is also an extremely accomplished entertainer/acoustic guitar player/singer/impersonator and diverse individual. This week Dan moves to the guest side of the microphone to chat with Dusty Disc Radio's Lori Dean about: his early musical experiences and influences; honing his craft of emulating and impersonating some of the greats such as Burton C...

Dave Stone is a keyboardist extraordinaire who has played with the bands Symphonic Slam, Ritchie Blackmore's Super band Rainbow, and Max Webster. During this no-holds-barred, personal chat with Dan Hare, Dave talks about: joining the conservatory of music at age 5; his musical influences; the evolution of keyboards and some 'tricks of the trade'; his early days of playing in Toronto strip clubs; R...

Teaze was a hard rockin' band hailing from Windsor, superstars in Japan and poised to make a bigger name for themselves in North America. Then lead singer and bass player Brian Danter pulled the plug. In this real and raw interview Brian shares: how the band was almost called Ontario; the Teaze-mania experienced when the band played in Japan; why he walked away from fame and fortune and what he di...

As a singer, actor, dancer, vocal coach, theatre coach, writer of operas, Patricia Dahlquist has a diverse and distinguished career. In 1976 she won the Juno for most promising female vocalist with her hit song ‘Keep Our Love Alive'. In this revealing chat with her friend Dan Hare Patricia talks about: becoming known as “The Jello Lady”; touring with Hagood Hardy; recording her album, the success...

Marc LaFrance has done it all - singing (including jingles), drumming, touring, recording, studio work, management, and artist development. He’s rubbed shoulders with the many of the premier musicians in the world and remains a long-time member of Randy Bachman’s projects, providing drums and vocals. Marc also has his own record label, Delinquent Records. In this episode Marc tells Dan Hare about:...

Henry Small’s voice and his electric violin must be seen and heard to be believed. He is truly one of a kind and a legend in Canadian rock. Henry’s career has spanned more than 40 years and has enjoyed many successes including writing, recording and touring with the likes of John Entwistle of The Who, Burton Cummings of The Guess Who and, of course, his legendary tenure with Prism. In his chat wit...

Will Millar is the former lead singer for The Irish Rovers and performer with the popular Some Mad Irishmen. The ‘Rovers’ of course are known for their hit songs ‘The Unicorn’, ‘Wasn’t That A Party’ and the Christmas classic ‘Grandma Got Run-over By A Reindeer', as well as their very popular TV show and specials. In this chat with Dan Hare Will shares: the hockey connection that brought his family...

Iconic singer/songwriters and record producer Susan Jacks is known for her outstanding vocals and performance style during her years with The Poppy Family and her own solo career. In part one of this extremely personal chat she talks about: her near-death experience; growing up poor; why she quit the popular TV show ‘Music Hop’; the devastation of not performing on The Ed Sullivan Show; the abuse...

In part 2 of her chat with Dan Hare, Susan Jacks reveals: more insights into Terry Jacks’ need for control and why she is finally talking about how he abused her; her experience living in Nashville; the initial embarrassment she felt from being broke and getting “jobs”; the scope of her astonishing vocal range and singing style; why her audience is like family; fan appreciation and much more.

Marc Jordan is an icon of the Canadian and International music scene. His prolific and enormously successful singing, songwriting and producing career began over 40 years ago and includes his own successes with tunes like 'Marina Del Ray' and hits for many famous names including Diana Ross, Cher and Rod Stewart, who had a mega hit with Marc's song 'Rhythm Of My Heart'. In part 1 Marc chats about:...

In part 2 of Marc's chat with Dan Hare he reveals: the generosity of David Foster; the influence of maritime music on Rhythm Of My Heart; his 20+ year connection with Rod Stewart; what became of Amanda Marshall; things he sacrificed for his career; his challenge with learning; why he wouldn't perform live for so long, and much more.

To Toronto via Budapest and Sydney, singer/songwriter, film maker and photographer Peter Foldy exploded onto the Canadian music scene in 1973 with his first single ‘Bondi Junction’ which hit #1 in Canada. In part 1 of 2 Peter chats about: being a child performer on Australian TV; making home movies as a teen with his friends, the Bee Gees; moving to Canada and attending film school by day, playing...

Peter Foldy continues his chat with Dan Hare, revealing: the void his style filled in the Canadian music scene; how not understanding the business end of music hurt him financially; what selling chocolate by phone has to do with the start of his film career; insights into his extensive film making; of the impact ‘Bondi Junction’ still has on many people; what he absolutely loves and how he sees hi...

Known as The Queen of Scream and Voice of The Headpins, Darby Mills has been a 'belter' throughout her decades-long career. In part 1 of this riveting chat she shares with host Dan Hare: who stirred her passion for singing; the 'ah-ha' moment of her first gig, joining (and leaving and rejoining) the Headpins, the ups and downs of working with Brian MacLeod, and a personal sacrifice or two.

In part two Queen of Scream Darby Mills: shares highlights from tours with White Snake, ZZ Top and KISS; her final split with the Headpins and why she was sued; the ups and downs of her solo career; her connection to Pete Townshend; the pain of personal loses; the impact of Tae Kwon Do; her musical reinvention and having control over her own musical destiny.

Robbie Lane has been entertaining Canadians for decades and doing it like no other. In part one he tells host Dan Hare of getting into the business when he was just a teenager and how his band, Robbie Lane and The Disciples, became the house band for Ronnie Hawkins and, eventually, for the ‘60s TV show ‘It’s Happening’. Robbie also talks about: the bands work with commercials that led to a brief n...