Canadian Rock
The US and the UK have been responsible for the bulk of the classics from the 60s into the early 90s, but what most may not realize is that our northerly neighbors can also rock - and sometimes even harder.
The Known
There are many Canadian bands known to Americans (some more than others). Perhaps the most notable of these bands is Rush. A power trio, their heyday was in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a style blending progressive, art, and sometimes even arena rock. Chilliwack is also a less-known power trio.
The other notable bands everybody (probably) knows about are Winnipeg's the Guess Who and the following Bachman Turner Overdrive. The former, in particular, was often mistaken for being a part of the then ongoing British Invasion.
During the 80s came Calgary's Loverboy. Although rarely, their hits Turn me Loose, Working for the Weekend, and Lovin' Every Minute of It get airplay on classic rock radio in the US.
From a solo perspective, the only solo artist most recognized is Neil Young. A former member of Buffalo Springfield (featuring Stephen Stills), Young joined Crosby, Stills, and Nash before their 1969 tour, which would feature them performing at Woodstock. Young has then had an up and down career with notable records being 1970's After the Gold Rush, 1972's Harvest, and later, 1979's Rust Never Sleeps. Young also came back in 1989 with his hit Rocking in The Free World.
Gordon Lightfood is another Canadian solo artist only known for his 1970s hits If You Could Read my Mind, Sundown, and Carefree Highway. However, in the 1980s came a prominent solo star, Bryan Adams. Adams became known for a string of hits in the 1980s such as Cuts Like a Knife, This Time, Somebody, Summer of 69, and Heaven. Adams also continued his career into the 90s and beyond with hits such as Please Forgive Me and Everything I Do.
The Not-So-Known
While there are many Canadian bands known to Americans, there just as many unknowns - unless those growing up in the north were lucky enough to get Canadian stations. Nova Scotia's April Wine are remembered for their high time in the late 70s and early 80s with hits such as Roller, Say Hello, Just Between me and You, and Enough is Enough.
A Canadian-American band, The Band began as a backing band for Bob Dylan before starting their own band. They were most successful between 1967 and 1977 and known for their vocal harmonies.
Steppenwolf are a mixed bag. They are most remembered for their 1968 hit Born to be Wild used in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, as well as Magic Carpet Ride. In addition, The Pusher and Rock Me were also hits on both sides of the 49th, but more popular in Canada.
On a solo side, Lawrence Gowan, also known as "the new Styx guy," had hits in the 80s such as Criminal Minds, You're a Strange Animal, and Moonlight Desires. If you listen to these songs, you'll notice that he ALMOST (emphasis on "almost") sounds like Dennis DeYoung.
Should Canadian Artists Be Played More in the US
Being a person who respects diversity, I feel our classic rock stations do not give Canadian artists the respect they deserve. While classic rock stations do a good job at playing (even overplaying) hits by Rush, I would like to here more Loverboy, April Wine, Steppenwolf, and The Band.
The Known
There are many Canadian bands known to Americans (some more than others). Perhaps the most notable of these bands is Rush. A power trio, their heyday was in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a style blending progressive, art, and sometimes even arena rock. Chilliwack is also a less-known power trio.
The other notable bands everybody (probably) knows about are Winnipeg's the Guess Who and the following Bachman Turner Overdrive. The former, in particular, was often mistaken for being a part of the then ongoing British Invasion.
During the 80s came Calgary's Loverboy. Although rarely, their hits Turn me Loose, Working for the Weekend, and Lovin' Every Minute of It get airplay on classic rock radio in the US.
From a solo perspective, the only solo artist most recognized is Neil Young. A former member of Buffalo Springfield (featuring Stephen Stills), Young joined Crosby, Stills, and Nash before their 1969 tour, which would feature them performing at Woodstock. Young has then had an up and down career with notable records being 1970's After the Gold Rush, 1972's Harvest, and later, 1979's Rust Never Sleeps. Young also came back in 1989 with his hit Rocking in The Free World.
Gordon Lightfood is another Canadian solo artist only known for his 1970s hits If You Could Read my Mind, Sundown, and Carefree Highway. However, in the 1980s came a prominent solo star, Bryan Adams. Adams became known for a string of hits in the 1980s such as Cuts Like a Knife, This Time, Somebody, Summer of 69, and Heaven. Adams also continued his career into the 90s and beyond with hits such as Please Forgive Me and Everything I Do.
The Not-So-Known
While there are many Canadian bands known to Americans, there just as many unknowns - unless those growing up in the north were lucky enough to get Canadian stations. Nova Scotia's April Wine are remembered for their high time in the late 70s and early 80s with hits such as Roller, Say Hello, Just Between me and You, and Enough is Enough.
A Canadian-American band, The Band began as a backing band for Bob Dylan before starting their own band. They were most successful between 1967 and 1977 and known for their vocal harmonies.
Steppenwolf are a mixed bag. They are most remembered for their 1968 hit Born to be Wild used in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, as well as Magic Carpet Ride. In addition, The Pusher and Rock Me were also hits on both sides of the 49th, but more popular in Canada.
On a solo side, Lawrence Gowan, also known as "the new Styx guy," had hits in the 80s such as Criminal Minds, You're a Strange Animal, and Moonlight Desires. If you listen to these songs, you'll notice that he ALMOST (emphasis on "almost") sounds like Dennis DeYoung.
Should Canadian Artists Be Played More in the US
Being a person who respects diversity, I feel our classic rock stations do not give Canadian artists the respect they deserve. While classic rock stations do a good job at playing (even overplaying) hits by Rush, I would like to here more Loverboy, April Wine, Steppenwolf, and The Band.
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