There are countless songs out there that imprint themselves on our internal maple leaf-shaped internal storage units, while never managing to etch themselves onto our hearts and souls. These songs owe a lot to CanCon and its stringent requirements for broadcasters to include a healthy amount of Canadian music in their programming. Due to the sheer volume and endless repetition, the music is literally in our veins (more so than the expected Maple Syrup).
For this concert-goer, it’s safe to say that Randy Bachman wasn’t topping any personal playlists, nor were The Headpins or April Wine, even though there was a solid familiarity with the classic cuts from all three acts.
Kicking off this lineup was none other than Vancouver, BC’s The Headpins. The current iteration of The Headpins still features Ab Bryant from the original lineup, but added key members Tony Dellacroce and current lead vocalist Kat Lawrence (who follows in the footsteps of predecessors Darby Mills and Denise McCann). Of the three bands on the bill, The Headpins may lack the same name recognition as April Wine or BTO, but they more than made up for it with an undeniable verve and an electric lead vocalist in Kat Lawrence. Her grit and growl are magnetic and are the engine on which The Headpins run.
Even on a Thursday night, the Headpins didn’t pull any punches and tore up the Scotiabank Centre stage with a searing but scant setlist that included the band’s hits “Just One More Time” and “Doesn’t it make you feel”. The band rattled the rafters and set a bar for the night that certainly felt insurmountable.
After a gear swap onstage, it was time for local lads April Wine to hit the stage. With the relatviely recent passing of Myles Goodwyn, this lineup raised some conflicting emotions in more than a few concert-goers, as the band features a single original member in Brian Greenway, who is joined by longtime members Richard Lanther, and Roy Nichol, as well as newest member Marc Parent who is handling lead vocals. Myles hand-picked Parent to keep the songs and spirit of April Wine alive. So, while this may not be the original lineup, it is still the songs folks know and love.
It was then time for one last set change to prepare for the arrival of Randy Bachman and his fellow BTO bandmates. It was evident where Bachman would set up camp on stage when the mic was set up to accommodate the stool that was brought out. The legendary musician has earned the right to be comfortable throughout the band’s cross-Canada tour, especially considering Randy is now in his eighties.
This night might have been billed as a celebration of 50 years of BTO, but it was certainly a tribute to Bachman’s storied career, including his time in BTO and his time in The Guess Who. The set list performed in Halifax showcased both chapters of his career, including such beloved classics as the pre-requisite “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, “Takin’ Care of Business” and “Let it Ride”, as well as “These Eyes”, “No Sugar Tonight” and “American Woman”. In the early days of BTO, Randy performed alongside his brothers Robbie and Tim. Much like it was a family affair in the early days, things have come full circle with his son Tal and daughter-in-law KoKo Bachman joining the band in recent years.
Looking around the room, you could see the joy and nostalgia shining in the eyes of the grey-haired patrons, who revelled in the music of their youth. The older gentleman to my left, contentedly, took in the proceedings on the stage, at points drew out his phone and carefully pressed record on the screen to capture a few moments of the magic on stage. While he may have moved gingerly up the stairs when his daughter came to round him up, he wasn’t leaving until the music ceased, as he quickly turned around when the BTO crew broke into a medley of well-known rock ‘ n ‘ roll classics including some of the works of The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. His enjoyment warmed my heart and proved that you can rock well into your golden years. This was a night many will remember for years to come, with these songs fresh etched onto our souls.
