Gord's Top 10 Canadian Albums

For anyone who might be interested the following was my contribution to Bob Mersereau's book "Top 100 Canadian Albums of All Time".

 

 

10 Favorite Canadian Albums by Gord Lewis

NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE-Ragged Glory

APRIL WINE-Electric Jewels

BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS-Bark

DOUG AND THE SLUGS-Popaganda

HUGH DILLON REDEMPTION CHOIR-The High Cost Of Low Living

ART BERGMANN-What Fresh Hell Is This?

KING BISCUIT BOY-Gooduns

SLOAN-One Chord To Another

THE TRAGICALLY HIP-World Container

RAY MATERICK-Neon Rain

Comments

[John Powell]

Dear Gord Lewis,

You probably dont remember me but I and my girlfriend at the time were lucky enough to speak with you and get autographs from Frankie, yourself and everyone in the band after your gig last year in Vancouver. I have enjoyed Teenage Head songs like everyone else since first hearing them in 1982. I had a band back then and we played not just several but many of your songs; but we too were derailed by unfortunate circumstance.

What I would really appreciate is to know the type of Traynor amp you were using when you played here. the tones you got with that melody maker and that traynor amp were great and as usual everyone in the crowd had that familiar grin on their faces, especially the young girls bouncing around and waving at the foot of the stage. I hope somehow you can still continue to produce a rock show after the devastating loss of Frankie Venom though im sure it would be very difficult. Please let me know about what the amp is if possible, I own an internet cafe here in vancouver at Seymour and Dunsmuir, and make about 200 people a day listen to Teenage Head songs if they venture in.

we are on the web at www.icafebc.com its a crappy little website but we're here.

Sincerly,

John Powell

[Todd Gordon]

I have been living outside Canada since 2001 now, but Frantic City has been in my little 10 pack of cds here on my work desk ever since it came out on CD. I happened to be trolling Canada news and just heard of Frank's passing. Wow. A definite pause in my day. And a huge loss to Canada. What a pioneer you guys were. It brings back the times I partied with you all up in the Sault at the Canadian Hotel, the Armories gig when Frantic just came out and where you did the coolest fretboard slide at the same time Frankie slid down a ladder for Disgusteen... or when Frank spit into his hands and clapped it to us in the crowd haha... yeah, man, the memories will live on as will the music (turns up Infected)

[Patricia]

So sad to hear the news. Hope you guys still keep rockin, cause my 3 sisters and I will be there, go cats go. On that note please continue with the performance at the Grey Cup, finally a band will perform that we all want to hear.
WELL SOME DAY YOU'LL REMEMBER ME
AND PICTURE MY FACE
SOME DAY YOU MAY SMILE AT ME
AND I'LL WALK AWAY
YESTERDAY I NEEDED LOVE
TODAY I NEED SOME HATE
BUT I KNOW WHO WAS ALWAYS THERE
NOW BABY IT'S TOO LATE
Gosh how ironic and how sad. Woke up this morning with that song in my head, can't seem to shake all the tunes, nor do I want to. We'll all miss Frankie, but never forget all the fun times we in the Hammer catching the band's performance whenever we could, my what fun and what memories to hold on to. The Halloween Howl at HCC was a blast, the HCC never looked so good.
Keep rockin lads. Patricia

[Wendy Wolfe]

My thoughts are with you, Gord.
Frankie will be greatly missed.
Wendy

[John Cox]

Gord - I am saddened to read about Frank's passing. My heart goes out to you and the lads as well as Frank's family and friends. He was a true original. The van ride I shared with you guys a couple of years back was every bit as entertaining as the show! What a playful nature and wicked sense of humor he had. God bless Frank. We were blessed to know him. Peace.
JC from NYC

[Deborah O'Donnell]

Hey Gordie,

Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of Frankie. You guys were the biggest part of my Teenage years my friends and I followed you guys from bar to bar for years never missed a concert. I have so many pictures of myself with you guys great memories. The best memories something that even with the passing of Frankie will never be forgotten.

Take care,
Deborah O'Donnell
Tor, Ont.

[Rick Creuzburg]

Gordie, my sincere condolences. You and the rest of your mates are in my prayers. My heart aches for the loss of Frankie. I'm just so glad I was able to see you guys at the Fort Erie Friendship Festival this year. So sad, and so early. There will never be another like him, so original, so cool.
Peace to you and yours.

[Terry Hunter]

Hey Gord,man Im realy sorry to hear about your good friend(brother)Frankies death.In the early 80s. I was in a band in T.O.and we did alot of your guys tunes,I miss thoes days,but with the music(clasic!)that you,Frank and the boys left,the memories will last forever!!thank you for that and LONG LIVE FRANK AND LONG LIVE THE HEAD!!!!

[Mike Offord AKA Mike @ Ray's karoke]

Hey Gord, hope all is well, say Hi to Steve as well, check out the bands new web site

www.kidzydeco.com

Mike

[Chris in Dundas]

Hey Gordie,

Great to find your blog. 'Electric Guitars' was a great album too. Is it available for purchase?

Thanks.

[Scott Le Rock]

Gord,

Re: your top ten Canadian albums, I was really happy to see a few that I would have listed myself:

APRIL WINE - Electric Jewels
SLOAN - One Chord To Another
THE TRAGICALLY HIP - World Container

'Jewels was the first LP I went out and got and it was mesmerizing. That and Kiss Destroyer made me learn how to play guitar! Sloan are great and this is my fave by them for sure. I still listen to that Hip record a lot too.

So get this.... I actually sold you my '60 Les Paul Jr (mahogany double cut) back around '83. This was in Toronto and was indirectly through Steve and Nick who came to see me at Young and Bloor and gave me $250 for it (I was in school and starving at the time). Do you still have it? Would you consider selling it back to me? Selling that guitar was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I still get all weepy thinking about it.

Please let me know.

Thanks a lot,

Scott

[Dave in Dundas]

Hey Gordie,

On a completely different topic...

I've been curious for a while if you ever give guitar lessons? I love your style of playing & thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[Michael Kaye]

Hi Gordie,

Great to see you commenting on how you got where you are, and the influences behind your writing and playing.

I'm still a Fan. Please give my regards to Steve & Frank. What became of Nick?

Michael Kaye

[Mark]

Don't be modest Gordie. Frantic City has to be on that list.