Here is where I put my thoughts, ideas, and just plain gibberish on some days. So grab your pillow, your woobie and your favourite beverage - alcoholic or not - and settle in for some nonsense, some fun, and occassionally, some tears.
I cannot be held responsible for what spews forth, so try not to hold it against me.
First off, would like to say I LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for the wonderful comments on my last post. I shall take all advice.
Now.....for the reason I feel fifteen again. I was working this show last night, and was about five feet from the stage.
Jonathan Knight is the oldest member of that boy-band sensation known as New Kids on the Block. I adored them when I was younger. Jon was my favourite because he was the shy, quiet one with the undeniable presence, and a voice like an angel. He shied away from the spotlight, and it was later revealed that he suffered from panic attacks which is why he rarely did one-on-one interviews, both during the bands hey-day and afterwards.
When he came out of the closet, and revealed he was gay, everyone turned to me and said “I told you so.” But to me, it didn’t matter. Why should it? Even if he was straight, the odds of hooking up with him were so incredibly astronomical that it didn’t even bear thinking about. I just wanted him to be happy. When the cameras did capture him, even when smiling, there was a sadness behind his eyes.
I was never sure if he was actually going to go back on tour with the guys. I’d always hoped for at least a solo album from him, but it was never meant to be.
The last time they came through Toronto, I was working backstage, where all five members and their families were constantly walking right by me. But, security tends to be invisible to performers, and Jon didn’t even smile in my direction, although Danny, Donny and Joe did.
To be able to stand in the pit, and actually watch him onstage last night, knowing about his attacks, knowing the courage it must take for him to get up and perform every night, in front of thousands of people, it brought tears to my eyes. The other guys made sure to make him laugh, jostle him around, even causing him to miss a few steps in the tight choreography. They did their best to make him comfortable up there.
It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. And no matter how much people make fun of me, I am always proud to be a Blockhead.
Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.
Today, Canadians awoke to devestating news from the Entertainment world. One of our countries most talented and beloved sons had passed on.
Jeff Healey, probably best known to Americans for speaking these words "Yeah, and I thought you'd be taller." to Patrick Swayze in the 1989 hit movie Roadhouse, passed away from cancer last night at the age of 41.
Jeff suffered all his life from a rare form of cancer - retinoblastoma - which caused him to be blind from his first year. But he never let that stop him. This is re-printed from the early edition of the Toronto Star.
Guitarist Jeff Healey dies at 41
Mar 03, 2008 04:30 AM Greg Quill Entertainment Columnist
Legendary Toronto blues guitarist and old-style jazz aficionado Jeff Healey died yesterday in Toronto's St. Joseph's Hospital after a lifelong battle with a rare form of cancer – retinoblastoma – that blinded him in his first year. He was 41.
"Discovered" in a Toronto club in 1982 by Texas blues guitarist, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, Healey astonished music fans with his outrageous technique. Self-taught by age 4, he laid the electric guitar across his lap and played it in much the same way as a pianist manipulates a keyboard.
Though he specialized in blues-based rock and sold more than a million copies of his Grammy-nominated 1988 debut album See the Light – released after a cameo performance in the Hollywood movie Road House with Patrick Swayze – Healey's real passion was vintage American jazz.
Healey hosted a long-running CBC Radio series, My Kinda Jazz, before moving the program to Toronto's Jazz-FM station, relying solely on his personal collection of 35,000 rare and obscure 78 rpm recordings and an encyclopedic knowledge of the music and personalities he featured in the show.
Healey also played trumpet and clarinet, and in the past decade recorded three albums of vintage jazz with Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, including It's Tight Like That.
Healey was an internationally known star who shared stages with B.B. King and Vaughan, and recorded with George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and blues legend Jimmy Rogers.
At the time of his death Healey was planning to release his first rock/blues album in eight years, Mess of Blues, recorded in studios in Toronto, in concert in London, England, and at the popular Entertainment District club that bore his name, Jeff Healey's Roadhouse. It goes on sale in Europe March 20, and in Canada and the U.S. April 22.
"Jeff was an amazing colleague and as a musician and a personality, in a league of his own," the Jazz Wizards' drummer Gary Scriven said last night. "It was always game on for him. His generosity and sense of humour lasted till the end. He was brave without ever being dramatic. In a word, Jeff was inspirational."
In 2007 Healey underwent surgery to remove cancerous tissue from his legs and both lungs. Radiation and chemotherapy failed to halt the spread of the disease, as did alternative homeopathic treatment in the U.S. this year.
Despite his illness, Healey continued to perform across Canada with both his blues band and jazz ensemble, and had scheduled a tour of Germany and the U.K., including an appearance on BBC's Jools Holland Show, in April, his publicist said.
"I'm so sad to hear this news," award-winning Canadian guitarist and music producer Colin Linden said on the phone from New York. "There was a quality of genius in the way Jeff harnessed that distinctive technique. He was such a natural musician."
Veteran Toronto guitarist Danny Marks, who fronts the Jeff Healey Band at the Roadhouse on Tuesday nights, said "Jeff was a tremendous musician and always so kind. He always knew the odds were against him, but it never ruined his sense of humour. I used to love to watch him having fun – he'd throw his head back and laugh like a little child."
Healey leaves his wife, Christie, daughter Rachel, 13, and son Derek, 3, as well as his father and stepmother, Bud and Rose Healey, and sisters Laura and Linda.
Despite his illness, MSN is reporting that his death still came as a shock to his bandmates.
Jeff was one of the few Toronto musicians I'd never had the chance to actually meet, although when I did have my one chance, I was too nervous to do so. Jeff's music, in the early years, had an impact on my musical tastes, and his song Angel Eyes, was a theme song of sorts for me. It was one of the two songs that caused my friends to nickname me Angell. It's actually quite devestating for me, as this song brought back memories of a particular place - which unfortunately was gutted and ravaged by fire earlier last year- the Wasaga strip. Now they're both gone.
Jeff was a brilliant musician, and a wonderful humanitarian, as well as being a shrewed businessman. He opened Jeff Healey's in the fashionable Queen and Bathurst district in Toronto, but decided that the place needed a new location. In January 2007, The Roadhouse opened on Blue Jays way - in the heart of the Entertainment district, and the locals flocked in droves. On most nights, you could spot Jeff playing on stage, but otherwise, he preferred to stay away from the public. He was apparently very shy, but also very sweet. He nurtured young talent, mentoring those who wished to follow in his footsteps. Some of Toronto's best young talent has performed on stage at both of his establishments.
I had the pleasure of seeing Jeff perform in various venues over the years, but my favourite was when I was heading up a website with two other friends, and we were invited to review the performers at a banquet for the major businesses in Mississauga. There was an amazing Jazz band at first, and then Jeff and his boys took the stage. An intimate setting, with less than a hundred people present, Jeff was captivating. And when he sang Angel Eyes, I wept. Brenda caught a pic from the man himself, and was sweet enough to give it to me, which I still have and will always cherish.
Rest in Peace Jeff. Your work here is through, and your legend will live on.
Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.
I have had NO time this past Xmas break to even breathe, let alone sit in front of the computer for the amount of time it would take to read all the wonderful blogs of my friends, and to write a year end review. It's just been too freaking busy around this place. And tomorrow, I head back to work (yeah - enthusiasm abounds XP).
But one thing that I was able to do this past break was to see my "nieces" (well, they're my sister in law's nieces, but we're all just one big family and I love them like they're my own).
Ali is going to be eleven, and she's in grade six. On a PA day last month, she went to work with her dad. Her father stopped to greet one of Toronto's many "displaced persons", and he called him by name. They chatted in Italian for a few minutes, and her dad handed the man a coffee. As they were walking away, Ali said "Dad, that blue blanket was ours." Her father responded "That's right honey. I gave it to him a couple of weeks ago."
This spurned Ali into action. She left the downtown core that day in tears, but with a determined resolve to help those less fortunate. With her own money, she started bringing food to the people living on the streets downtown. She would wait for her father to go to bed at night and search the cushions on the couch to see what change she could add to her "budget". Her dad brought her and three friends down one weekend, and they distributed sandwiches and blankets to those that needed. When their neighbours and the parents co-workers heard of this, they began donating money.
With $150, the kids budgeted and bought hats, mitts, scarves, basic essentials and food for the hungry. They made packs, and when a worker at Canadian Linen Services heard about their mission, he went on Facebook and challenged everyone who read his profile to come up with a donation. Then they donated the truck to bring the supplies downtown.
Ali's father is documenting this - they call themselves Angels of Mercy and it is truly inspiring. Please watch.
Ali has brought many a tear to my eye with her mission, and as part of my new year - new me project, I will be going with them on their missions, and I will be issuing a challenge to my co-workers and friends to do the same.
I know that we all have financial difficulties and a lot of my "readers" (ok friends :P) are active within their own communities. But if you're not, or if you haven't been but intend to, please follow their example. They are indeed the future, and they will show us the way.
I hope all my wonderful friends have had a fabulous and safe Christmas season with their loved ones.
May 2008 bring you all the happiness and health you deserve.
I LOVE YOU GUYS.
Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.
Well, I WAS going to post from youtube as I usually do, but the jackasses at CTV decided that it was copyright infringement and removed the clips from the site. So, unfortunately, I don't have any to share. BUT, here are my top five choices for the ladies:
*Montana Martin Iles *Carly Rae Jepsen *Annika Odegard (I wish I had last night's performance to share with you - she was phenomenal) *Mila Miller *Martha Joy
I'll share results tomorrow with y'all - and we'll see if I'm right.
Now, onto some very sad news for those of us in the Toronto theatre community.
This morning, "Honest" Ed Mirvish was pronounced dead at his home at the age of 92. This is what was printed in the CTV news story.
The businessman known as 'Honest Ed', who entertained Toronto for decades with crazy slogans at his legendary discount department store, has died at the age of 92.
A statement from the family says he died early Wednesday at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Born July 24, 1914, in Colonial Beach, Va., Mirvish was just weeks away from his 93rd birthday.
After moving to Toronto in 1923, Mirvish lived with his family above their downtown Dundas Street grocery store.
At 15, Mirvish's father died and he dropped out of school to support his family.
He was best known for his world-famous "Honest Ed's" bargain store on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst streets.
The store featured discount prices and funny slogans like: 'Welcome, don't faint at our low prices, there's no place to lie down.' 'We don't offer service. We have a slogan--serve yourself and save a lot of money.'
In a tradition that began on his 75th birthday, Mirvish gave away 1,000 free turkeys in his store to shoppers every Christmas.
Toronto Mayor David Miller, who is in Cleveland, said Mirvish's passion for Toronto was second to none.
Miller said in a statement that Mirvish could only be described as a local hero who helped to make Toronto the great city it is.
Toronto councillor and deputy mayor Joe Pantalone described Mirvish as "incredibly influential" and crucial to the development of west-end Toronto.
"He has been a pioneer and an icon. If Ed Mirvish had not been around, Toronto would not be the cosmopolitan and the cultural capital that it," Pantalone told CTV News on Wednesday.
"The city owes a lot to Ed Mirvish, that's why this is a time of sadness but also reflection and appreciation. We would not be who we are if Ed Mirvish had not made his contributions in the economic and cultural field."
Mirvish played a crucial role in expanding Toronto's entertainment scene.
In 1963, Mirvish saved the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto from demolition, spending $500,000 on restoring it.
Mirvish and his son David ran Mirvish Productions, staging major theatre productions around the world.
Mirvish bought and restored the Old Vic in London, England and with his son built the award-winning Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto in 1993.
His theatres hosted such blockbusters as "The Lion King," "Mamma Mia" and "Miss Saigon." Former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman said Mirvish's contributions to theatre in Toronto were unsurpassed.
"He was a great Canadian and he was a great Torontonian. He loved this city and he was Mr. Toronto and Mr. Entertainment," Lastman told CTV News.
"He brought live entertainment to Toronto. What a sacrifice, what a deal he had made at that time. He took an old shack and he renovated it a put a fortune into it."
In 1978 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and promoted to Officer in 1987. He was also the recipient of more than 250 awards.
In their statement, the family said funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.
I had the pleasure of being part of the Mirvish family for three years as an usher at the Royal Alexandra theatre. Ed and his wonderful wife Ann would frequently drop in to see a show, whether with friends, or by themselves. He always had a kind word for everyone on the staff, from the custodians to the management. He never showed his age, and we always said he wore life well.
Those of us who worked for him knew him as a generous man, and one who would have more than likely, filled in for his employees if there was a shortage. He was hands on with all his ventures, giving way more and more in the later years to his son David.
I wish I had more to say on the man. Truth is, his legacy speaks for us all. Without him, theatre wouldn't be the mainstay of Toronto's entertainment district like it is. Without him, we wouldn't have had the pleasure, honor and opportunity to be the premiere city for the hottest show in North America - Mamma Mia. Without Honest Ed's, many underpriviledged families wouldn't be able to furnish their small apartments, or buy clothing for themselves.
Without Ed Mirvish, Toronto would just have been another spot on the map.
He was a legend. He was loved and admired and respected by all who knew him, and all who knew of him.
What a way to go.
Rest In Peace Ed. You will be sorely missed Mr. Mirvish.
Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.
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