“A player of many strands – plays in many guises – could show up anywhere, and get the job done quite beautifully !” – Steve Howe, Yes.
This one goes to Eleven: Some things you may not know about me!
1. Teenage Head – One of my first real gigs was in 1980 at L’Amoreaux Collegiate, opening for legendary Canadian punk band Teenage Head, we played Rush, Led Zeppelin, and The Who.
2. Wayne’s World – Mike Myers immortalized the name of my first band “Crucial Taunt” and used it for the name of the band in the film “Wayne’s World”, it’s all good, he’s from the hood, and asked permission.
3. EMI – In 1989 I formed Trouble In Mind with Scott Matthews, we played the hard rock circuit in Toronto and signed a publishing deal with EMI, it all blew up as bands do, but we did finally release our Metalworks demo.
4. Amanda Marshall – I recorded many demos for Amanda in 1994 just prior to her first release, I also played several concerts, including Nathan Philips Square in Toronto.
5. Platinum Blonde – Mark and I recorded at The Jeff Healey Studio in Toronto for most of the nineties, and eventually toured Canada extensively as Platinum Blonde in 1999.
6. Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association – In 2006 I produced Toronto Fingerstyle, a compilation CD that featured Canadian guitarists, I also helped Randy organize events for iconic guitarists Steve Howe and Tommy Emmanuel.
7. Zappa – In 2008 at the Mod Club in Toronto, I was called to the stage with a winning laminated pass to jam with the Zappa Plays Zappa, it ended with Dweezil and I trading a frenzy of unaccompanied guitar licks.
8. Atomsmasher – I have some great endorsements with innovative companies such as D’Angelico, Pigtronix and D’Addario, but did you know I have a signature Mack amp, the Atomsmasher DB-40?
9. Alan Parsons – Alan produced Belmonte which appeared on the debut David Barrett Trio album, but we are also featured in the Alan Parsons Art And Science Of Sound Recording Video Series.
10. Rush 2112 – I’m only one of two guitarists to play 2112 at Massey Hall on Big Al’s 1970 Les Paul Standard “Stan”, it was a great night, however in 2022 the guitar was sold at Julien’s Auctions for $224,000.
11. Steve Howe – I’m mentioned in Steve’s totally excellent autobiography from 2020 “All My Yesterdays”, you’ll have to read it so see what he says!
