Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Among blues-rock soloists and accompanists, he had few equals. An exceptional pianist, organist and accordion player, Richard Bell left his mark on more than 400 albums, some of which he also produced, arranged and composed and sang on. Renowned for his sense of humor as well as his dazzling keyboard chops, the Toronto-born Bell performed with such legendary figures as Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield and Bob Dylan and played a supporting role in some key events in rock ’n’ roll history. When he died last week at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital, after a year-long battle with cancer, friends and associates around the world mourned the loss of a beloved and highly respected musician who, according...

In 1985, I was invited to a small reception in a Toronto hotel to meet a young woman who was already creating a major industry buzz. Besides being gospel great Cissy Houston’s daughter, Dionne Warwick’s cousin and Aretha Franklin’s goddaughter, Whitney had been signed by Clive Davis, a man with proven ears for talent. The moment Whitney walked into the room, I was struck by her natural beauty and youthful innocence. Just 22, she was fresh-faced and shy, yet already so poised. Sweet and soft-spoken, we chatted together about her new album and upcoming tour. There was an air of barely contained excitement about her, like a debutante at her coming-out ball. Less than a year later, Whitney had b...

 Poll Results What was your favorite Canadian song of the 1990s? Constant Craving - kd lang 18  votes 18%   Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane 13 votes  13%   Hasn't Hit Me Yet - Blue Rodeo 13 votes  13%   If I Had a Million Dollars - Barenaked Ladies 12 votes  12%   You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette 10 votes  10%   Coax Me - Sloan 9 votes  9%   Secret Heart - Ron Sexsmith 9 votes  9%   El Desierto - Lhasa 7 votes  7%   Building a Mystery - Sarah McLachlan 5 votes  5%   Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain 2  votes 2%   The Mummer's Dance - Loreena McKennitt 1 vote  1%   Informer - Sn...