Under the Lights - Rock Review
By Bruce Atkinson - October 28, 2011
Photo: Contributed
It all started as a family affair, just outside of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The Henman brothers, David & Ritchie, joined forces with one Myles Goodwyn
along with their cousin Jim Henman and put together a little quartet named
April Wine! The time? 1969. The four young Maritimers didn’t waste any
time heading out to the big city of Montreal in 1970, and hitting the Canadian
Music Scene with such a loud bang, the repercussions are still heard today!
It was a time of development in the music industry, and the group were
embraced by some far thinking industry types that saw their potential.
Canadian independent label Aquarius picked up April Wine as soon as
they entered the Montreal city limits. Their first record, a self-titled
affair hit the streets a year later, and the first single, “Fast Train”
reached across our great nation, making inroads for the band. Indicative to
their ongoing career, “Fast Train” was what these four were up against. Not a
smooth ride, but a stellar and steady rise to international stardom. April
Wine’s story is a great Canadian ‘can-do’ drama…most fitting for a
supergroup, and a Maritime one at that!
More..
April Wine answers the call again
By Jeff DeDekker, Leader-Post August 7, 2011
Some scattered showers and a little wind wasn’t enough to
sour April Wine on its appearance Saturday night at the Queen City Ex.
After three days of gorgeous weather to start the fair, Mother Nature decided
to release some dreadful conditions Saturday on the Ex. While the venue didn’t
receive the intense rain and hail that hit portions of east Regina, the on-again,
off-again showers could’ve kept fans from getting their fix of classic Canadian
rock from April Wine.
More..
April Wine rocks Ribfest
Chatham Daily News - July 11, 2011
Legendary Canadian rock band April Wine thrilled fans during Saturday's
show at the Chatham Sunrise Rotary Ribfest in Tecumseh Park.
Link
to Video
Remembering Jim Clench
Canadian Press - November 5, 2010
MONTREAL - Jim Clench, a bassist and vocalist who played
with Canadian rock bands April Wine and Bachman Turner Overdrive, has died at
61.
April Wine band mate Brian Greenway says Clench died Tuesday in a Montreal hospital
after fighting Stage 4 lung cancer.
Clench was not married and had no children.
Clench joined April Wine in 1970 after the release of the band's first album and
played bass and added vocals to the mix until 1975.
He went on to join Bachman Turner Overdrive, before returning to April Wine in
1992 and staying with the band through 2006. He also wrote songs for the band,
including fan favorite "Oowatanite." More..
Jim's Obituary
A personal note from Myles
The news of Jims` death has left me numb and like many others I`m sure.. melancholy.
I met Jim in 1970 the year April Wine came to Montreal from Nova Scotia. When
Jim Henman left April Wine in 1971, I asked Jim to join the group which he did,
and so began an amazing 19 year fraternity.
He was a hell of a bass player and possessed one of the most unique voices in
rock. I had the pleasure of writing songs with him in the 70`s , although my most-liked
songs of his, he penned alone... Oowatanite, Cat`s Claw and my personal fave,
You Opened Up My Eyes.
Jim was one of the smartest, funniest and most giving persons I ever met. When
Jim passed on, on Monday, he left a lot of friends and fans saddened. His illness
was sudden, and a surprise to myself and to the other members of April Wine..
I'm sorry that I didn't have a chance to personally say goodbye. Perhaps we'll
get the chance to say hello again some day... and write some more tunes together.
Rest in peace Jimmy.
Myles
Head & Hands'
Head & Hands began as a youth-services organization in a cramped
apartment in N.D.G. Not even the most wide-eyed optimists would have bet that
it would still be around today, but it is -in a larger N.D.G. space -and it has
flourished.
Head & Hands'
is now the largest youth organization of its kind in Canada, offering a range
of services in health and empowerment.
April Wine is proud to support Head and Hands.
QUINTESSENTIAL CANADIAN ROCKERS APRIL
WINE TO BE INDUCTED TO CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME
THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS broadcast on CTV
 
“With the release of their debut album in 1971, April Wine
kicked off a remarkable run of hit records both in Canada and around the world,”
said Melanie Berry, President & CEO of CARAS. “For 40 years, the band
has given music fans great songs to rock to and live shows to remember. Their
induction to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame is exceptionally deserving, and highlights
a long history of musical accomplishments.” More...
Gibson All-Star Event Sees April
Wine’s Brian Greenway and Justin Bieber’s Band Rock at Canada’s
Juno Awards
Sean Dooley April 19, 2010
2010 Juno Hall of Fame inductee Brian Greenway of the legendary, April Wine
Photo Credit: Barry Roden
Canada’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards, the Juno Awards, travelled
to St. John’s, Newfoundland this year for the weekend of April 15th through
to the 19th to celebrate the best and brightest shining stars of Canadian music.
A massive snow storm hit St. John’s on Thursday, April 15th, delaying
numerous flights from Canada, the US and Europe. Artist’s such as The Road
Hammers, Wintersleep, Johnny Reid, Blue Rodeo, Ladies of the Canyon, Alexisonfire
and more all were delayed for hours, and some days, while other’s such as
Jarvis Church, Terri Clark and Bryan Adams had flights cancelled.
The weather didn’t damper the many thousands of Newfoundland fans who
came out in support of JunoFest, nor did it damper the high energy, A-list, Gibson
Guitar All-Star Event held at Club One on Saturday, April 17th. Over 700 invited
guests and contest winners attended the star-studded event.
This is the 3rd year Gibson has hosted this prestigious celebration. Fans and
artists were not disappointed as Juno nominees The Road Hammers, The New Cities,
Faber Drive, Hedley, Alexisonfire, Carly Rae Jepsen, Brian Greenway of April Wine,
Justin Bieber’s band (unfortunately Justin was too young to attend the event,
but he did do a rousing, impromptu acoustic jam at the Gibson Showroom on the
road earlier in the day in celebration), Carmen and Camille, The Trews, Shiloh
and more performed.
The evening kicked off with a stellar performance by The Road Hammers who hosted
the evening. Next up were performances by Carmen and Camille, Tim Chaisson and
Morning Fold with John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews, Sherman Downey, Gloryhound,
Ladies of the Canyon with members of Hollerado, and The Road Hammers with Brian
Greenway of the legendary band, April Wine. More...
For the very first time, Myles
Goodwyn had the distinct pleasure of sharing the same stage with his daughter,
Amber Goodwyn
On the 23 September 2011, "Cobra
and Vulture" opened the show for April Wine at the Metropolis Theatre in
Montreal and treated the audience to a unique and enjoyable musical
experience.
Cobra & Vulture is a Montreal
guitar-drums trio with a bizarre but lovely combination of folk-style guitar
tapping, double-stop riffing and soulful harmonies. Their songs feature
arresting vocals and an intertwined dual guitar attack care of two front women
(best friends Amber Goodwyn and Erin Ross) that’s kept grounded by the
inimitable drumming of Jeremy MacCuish (Cotton Mouth, Parlovr). Frequently
writing songs in thematic cycles, the band’s somewhat introspective
songwriting process is blown to bits by their live act: a take-no-prisoners
rock show complete with hollering and tossed hair.
Visit their web site :
http://cobraandvulture.tumblr.com/
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