Kim Mitchell

Kim Mitchell. Guitarist, singer, songwriter, broadcaster, b Sarnia, Ont, 10 Jul 1952. Kim Mitchell grew up in Sarnia and moved to Toronto at age 17, where he played guitar in bar bands. He was the manic frontman 1972-81 for the quirky hard-rock band Max Webster, which, in its heyday, also included the Sarnia musicians Terry Watkinson (keyboards), Dave Myles (bass), and Gary McCracken (drums). A fifth member, lyricist Pye Dubois, did not perform with the band. Based in Toronto, Max Webster was equally one of the most popular and most original rock bands in Canada during the late 1970s, known for its LPs, all of which sold at least 50,000 copies, and for its hyperactive concerts. Max Webster performed widely in Canada and by 1980 had toured with Rush in the USA, Great Britain, and Europe. In collaboration with Dubois, Mitchell wrote such popular Max Webster songs as 'Hangover,' 'High Class in Borrowed Shoes,' and 'Paradise Skies.' The band is also remembered for 'A Million Vacations,' 'Let Go the Line,' etc.

Mitchell's Solo Career

Mitchell turned to a solo career in 1982, after working as session guitarist and producer. He formed a band that would include, most notably, the singer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums) Peter Fredette until 1990. Pye Dubois remained as Mitchell's lyricist, and their collaborations continued to capture the concerns and diversions of the teenaged Canadian male. The singles 'Go for Soda' and 'All We Are' (1984), 'Patio Lanterns' and 'Alana Loves Me' (1986), and 'Easy to Tame' (1987) were popular. The autobiographical 'Rock 'n' Roll Duty' was a major Canadian hit in 1989, followed that year by 'Rocklandwonderland' and in 1990 by the lesser hits 'Expedition Sailor' and 'I Am a Wild Party'. The LP Shakin' Like a Human Being received the 1986 Juno Award as album of the year and sold more than 300,000 copies. Mitchell himself received a Juno in 1983 as most promising male vocalist and in 1990 as male vocalist of the year. Juno nominations followed in 1991 and 1993. Sales of the albums akimbo alogo and Rockland exceeded 200,000.

Kim will appear on Stage Saturday June 28, 10:30pm

(Bio courtesy The Canadian Encyclopedia)

March Hare

Whether you'd like a good ol' rock and roll show, some new music, country tunes, latin or disco flavours, a dance band, a glitzy costume show, or any combination...

MARCH HARE is the most versatile band around!

March Hare hits the stage Saturday night before Kim Mitchell