CANADIAN SPECIFIC

In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small mistake, but one that hits a raw nerve. Canadians hate being mistaken for Americans. I’m referring to Chas De Whalley’s Music to Watch TV Ads By (RC354) in which he refers to Canadian band Nickelback (above) as hailing from the mid-Canadian state of Alberta. Alberta is a western province, not state.

Fortunately Canada has yet to be overrun by America, although they do covet Albertan oil. Let it be said that Canada is proud of its musical heritage and I would love to see an RC article devoted to Canada’s contribution to rock and roll. You could start with Ronnie Hawkins, whose back-up group The Hawks later became The Band, of which only one member, the legendary Levon Helm, was American.

In the same article , Chas mentions Alice Cooper’s School’s Out, which of course was produced by Canadian Bob Ezrin. Chas, thanks for reminding me of all the great rock and roll that has emerged from The Great White North. Love your mag!

by Alan Sharpe
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