Tommy Solo's famous friends

Virgil Scott is a name that you might not recognize if you live outside of the Greater Toronto area in Canada. That said, he is one of the most successful singers to come out of this country in decades. His career got an early boost when upon his high school drama teacher's prompting, he scored a featured role in the Toronto stage production of Hair when he was a mere 16 years old. Since then, he...

This is part two of my 2020 conversation with Ronnie King from the iconic classic Canadian band, the Stampeders. We pick it up at the beginnings of the Stampeders chart topping success & discuss touring, partying & the rock & roll lifestyle that Ronnie & his band mates, Rich Dodson & Kim Berly lived through & survived to tell the tale about. Did you know that there was more...

This is part one of my re edited 2020 interview with Ronnie King, singer/bassist/guitarist & songwriter with iconic classic Canadian band, the Stampeders. In this half of our chat, we discuss how the Stampeders were formed & the making of early hits likes "Sweet city woman". If you like this segment, you will love part two ....coming soon. And I've just created an easy way for you to help...

This is a re release of my 2020 Christmas special featuring Christmas greetings & Christmas magic with a host of my famous friends including, Darby Mills, Keith Hampshire, Ken Tobias, Tommy Hunter, Holly Woods, the late Ellen McIlwaine, Holly Woods & more! And if you like the show, I've created an easy way for you to help support my podcast without a paid subscription. Click on my buy me a...

Bill Durst is one of Canada's most unsung guitar heroes. He started slinging a Telecaster in the local London, Ontario R&B scene in the 1960s. He then became known as first the guitarist, then the front man with the iconic classic Canadian rockers Thundermug in the 1970s. After going solo under his own banner in the 1980s, He's never looked back. Bill switched from a Telecaster to a Gibson SG earl...

This is the hardest episode I've ever produced to date. I grew up just a couple of blocks away from John McGale in North Bay, Ontario. He was one of my very 1st influences as a musician, right along side of the Beatles & the stars of Motown. John was that slightly older kid in the neighbourhood who showed us that it was possible to do what the Beatles & the Rolling Stones were doing. He became the...

I'm happy to re introduce my 2020 interview with "Canada's Country Gentleman", Tommy Hunter. In this episode, we discussed Tommy's early beginnings in London Ontario & his journey from there to the bright lights that would shine on his career for decades. The Tommy Hunter show ran from 1965 to 1992, making it the longest running national TV show. Tommy would also become very popular in the USA. Th...

In part two of our debut episode of "The Singers" featuring Holly Woods of the band "Toronto" fame, we discuss living your honest life & having good things come to you. We also talked about the importance of songwriting for a singer among other things. Holly Woods staked her claim as one of the best female rockers in North America back in the 1980s, & contrary to what you may have heard....She isn...

In my debut episode of my new "The Singers" series, I discuss singing with the legendary ex lead singer from the iconic Canadian band Toronto, Holly Woods. We talk about where soul comes from for singers & how tragedy affects us, & a lot more. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tsolobandq Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tommy-solo-s-famous-friends--4318572/support .

Although I've interviewed Bernie Labarge on previous episodes, I had no idea that he had been gifted Domenic Troiano's famous Fender Telecaster until recently. In this episode, we discuss that fabled guitar & more! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tommy-solo-s-famous-friends--4318572/support .

Earl Johnson turned pro on guitar in the 1960s with King Biscuit Boy. He's mostly recognized these days as the lead guitarist with the iconic Canadian classic rock band, Moxy. That said, Earl has stayed busy on guitar over the decades both as an award winning guitar teacher at the Ajax Guitar Academy in Ajax Ontario, & also currently as lead guitarist/songwriter/band leader with two bands on the r...

You likely know Bernard Robichaud as arch enemy to Ricky Julian & Bubbles, Cyrus on the Trailer Park Boys TV series. But...did you know that he started his career as a model & performed on radio before attending drama school? We discuss his life before & after Trailer Park Boys & more in this episode. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732104/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com...

In part two of my conversation with Greg Godovitz we discuss how he ended up playing in the classic Canadian pop group, Fludd along with his high school chum Brian Pilling & older Pilling brother Ed. And then how he left Fludd to form his own iconic rock band, Goddo. There's also a lot of new musical stuff coming. Not to mention his new six piece band, the Scarberians. This is an episode you don't...

I've been looking forward to speaking with Greg Godovitz for a long time. His is a career that has spanned decades, beginning in the 1960s & gaining momentum while he was a member of the classic Canadian pop group, Fludd. He would go on to lead the iconic rock band, Goddo & his story continues to unwind today with the Scarberians. He is now in the process of writing his 3rd book detailing more sto...

Frank Soda & the Imps were a force to be contended with as they toured the bars & clubs across Canada back in the 1970s & 80s. While Frank has kept busy back in his home turf in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, his return to Ontario & specifically to the Rockpile in Toronto has been long overdue. In this "Shameless plug", we talk up his upcoming show slated for Friday September 23 where he...

Steve "Lips" Kudlow has been rocking out as both lead singer & lead guitarist with his iconic Canadian rock band, Anvil for decades. Over the years, they have pounded the pavement all over the world since the "Super Rock" festival of 1984 in Japan, where Anvil had top billing above Bon Jovi, Scorpions & Whitesnake. In this episode, we talk guitars & certain techniques among other things. https://w...

Brian Gagnon has been a full time musician for most of his life. Having played in the popular bar band, Dillinger before forming the classic Canadian band, the Hunt. He put the Hunt together with former members of Dillinger & former Max Webster drummer Paul Kersey. The Hunt would achieve moderate international success, but that wasn't all Brain Gagnon would have to contribute to the world of music...

Kenny Robinson is one of the hardest working comedians in Canada & has been making his living as a comic/actor since 1984. Along the way, he has helped to launch careers for many upcoming comedians & has done so selflessly. I first took notice of Kenny when he hosted his TV show, "After Hours" in the early 2000s & his train has kept rolling on through the years. I met Kenny while I was performing...

In part two of my latest interview with seminal Canadian guitarist/singer Bernie Labarge, we chat about favourite guitars & a whole lot more. Bernie was Daniel Lanois' 1st project as an artist & the two produced a hit single with "Dream away" that charted twice. Since then, Bernie's career had him doing multiple studio sessions, jingles etc. & he worked on TV shows including "Fragglerock" among ot...

This is part one of my interview with Bernie Labarge in my guitar talk series. Bernie is a well rounded musician, having success starting in the 1980s as a singer/songwriter/guitarist. His single "Dream away" was a hit twice. His guitar prowess is equally matched with his talents as a singer/songwriter. That said, we talk mostly guitars here. Among other things, Bernie explains the pros & cons of...

In part two of David Henman Guitar Talk, we discuss more things guitar including favourite brands, models etc. along with some of David's influences & tips for young players coming up today. David was an original founding member of the iconic Canadian band, April Wine & he has done a lot more in the music business since then. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tom...

David Henman, along with his younger brother Ritchie & their cousin Jim Henman founded the iconic Canadian classic rock band April Wine after recruiting their neighbour, Myles Goodwyn (who is still leading April Wine today). That said, AW is just a small chapter in David's career. He's done a lot musically both before & after April Wine. In this episode, we discuss guitars & his progression as a g...

In the last couple of years, I was introduced to Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins through mutual friends. I felt extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to interview him twice during the Covid-19 pandemic & was hoping to one day chat with him face to face. Alas, with his passing away on May 29th 2022, meeting on this mortal plane will not happen. I do however feel that this episode of Tommy Solo's...

In this second installment of our "Guitar Talk" series, I talk shop with one of Canada's top shelf guitarist/singers, Frank Soda. Frank got his first break in the music business as a member of Jon Mykl Thor's band & within a few years, Thor & the Imps morphed into "Frank Soda & the Imps". He learned a lot about showmanship during his tenure with Thor & quickly gained a reputation for his awesome l...

Jake Thomas was a journeyman lead guitarist whose career started in the 1960s & goes on to this day. Having cut his teeth with bands like Buckstone Hardware, George Oliver & Friends, Bill King & more, his return to his home town of North Bay Ontario was very much welcomed. He has continued to make a splash, having been a featured act with his band Jake & the Fundamentals at festivals including the...