In the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting up with some major personalities. I had a great interview with Dennis Miller, a most interesting man. He is a conservative. I find it ironic that within a week of Dennis’ appearance at the River Rock Bill Maher appears at the Red Robinson Show Theatre. Now Bill is as left as Al Franken. Both claim their political religion is the right one. Dennis Miller can be seen on FOX with The O’Reilly Factor and heard on his Westwood One radio show. He has relatives in Tsawwassen and visits with them everytime he comes north. Catch my interview with Dennis in the coming weeks on my Wednesday morning Global TV appearance at 8:15 am.
Going back a few weeks, it was time with one of Canada’s most outstanding comedic actors, Brent Butt. He explained why he quit his weekly series Corner Gas, the most successful comedy series in the history of Canadian television. He wanted to quit the show while it was still relevant. It is. Brent wrote, produced and acted in a new series and will have a movie out in the fall.
The Little River Band came to the Red Robinson Show Theatre and stirred up many memories. We talked about their music and how John Lennon considered their hit Reminiscing one of his top 10 favorites. They continue to tour and still have much enthusiasm for their work. Although the band has had many personnel changes over the years, the one constant is the music, which is clearly as good or better than the original recordings. The audience loved their show and I hope they return soon.
Carole and I have been invited to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland for this year’s induction ceremonies. It is an honour to be a guest of the board of directors. Isn’t it ironic that the Junos are coming to Vancouver the week before I fly to Cleveland. The Junos have never acknowledged my contributions to the Canadian rock and roll music scene but I am honored by being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the U.S. It is because of this lack of interest I am turning over all my memorabilia to the Rock Hall… as no one in the Canadian industry gives a damn. Only in Canada you say? Pity.
I want to thank Chris Matheson of the Vancouver Police Museum for making available film from the Beatles 1964 appearance in Vancouver and the 1965 appearance of the Rolling Stones. I played the Beatles footage on my Wednesday Global TV appearance. Coming up… the Stones in all their glory. Looking at the footage of that event 45 years ago made me realize how much we have changed as a society!
Photo credits: Kevin Statham, shotbykevin.com