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LOU MOLINARO INTRODUCTION
An introduction of oneself sometimes is the best way of putting perspective on one’s life. Sometimes, it acts like a reality check. An introduction can put a smile on your face, or it can make you scratch your melon and make you realize that there are some improvements that can be done!
My story is this. I was born in Oshawa Ontario in 1964. I am the only child of 2 amazing folks who have supported me on all of my endeavours. My parents loved Parry Mason, and wanted their only child to be nothing more than a lawyer. I liked that idea, only if I got to live life, my way first!
I lost my Mom in February 2006, and losing someone precious made me question everything in life. It made me question my surroundings, my well being, the food that I eat, and the water that I drink. It explains the reason why I prefer the music that I listen to, and it also helped me understand why I choose Martin Scorcese films more than other films.
I am a music fan, a HUGE music fan. I was lucky to remember the Ed Sullivan Show. I recall my Dad buying a 3 record K-Tel set with all these amazing songs from the mid to late 60’s. This compilation introduced me the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Cream, The Yardbirds, The Guess Who, The Who, The Animals, The Hollies, Dion & The Belmonts, and many others. My Dad bought this disc because the Everly Bros’ Cathy’s Clown was on it. He was not an avid record collector. He could have simply ordered the 45, instead we had 60 songs from a powerful decade of music. I was 7 years old and a K-Tel compilation was already my musical foundation!
I had a Toronto Star paper route, and spent ALL of my money on music and sport cards. In 1973, at the age of 9, I bought my first record that would change my life. It was Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies. Star Records in Oshawa was the coolest record store, and the store clerk suggested that I either buy Rick Derringer’s All American Boy, or the Alice Cooper title. I went for the Alice record based on the fact that you got a large billion-dollar bill inside the record jacket. Mind you, the record was great too! I continued buying records, but with other employment. My route was horrible!
During the High School years, I continued buying records, seeing tons of concerts, sneaking into bars with fake ID, and I was trying to get as much Rock N Roll into my life as possible. I became part of Student Council and eventually became President of the Oshawa Central Collegiate Institute’s Student Council from 1981 – 1983. As selfish as this sounds, the ONLY reason why I became part of the executive council was to book cool bands for our High School Dances. Actually, they were not dances at all. I remember some Max Webster shows that were close to being riots.
Speaking of riots, I was at the infamous Teenage Head Ontario Place show. Poor Bob Segarini having the awful experience of trying to satisfy a ravaged Teenage Head crowd. I still remember Segarini’s guitar player being the target for either a bottle or a can from the crowd.
I attended Carleton University and became involved with CKCU, 93.1 FM. It is a wonderful Campus Radio Station that had terrific cultural specialty shows, as well as thorough musical programs.
In my 2nd year at Carleton, I became involved with booking bands as an Arts rep, and also had my own over night radio show called WHAT GOES ON. It aired on Sunday nights from 2am – 7am. I called my roommates and friends often to wake them up so they could listen to my show. There were also many busy signals on Sunday nights because a lot of my friends and roommates would take their phone off the hook!
I moved to Hamilton Ontario in the mid 90’s and became involved with campus radio again. C101.5 was just getting ready to be broadcast on FM, so I quickly made arrangements with the station manager at the time, Andy Posthumous, to host my own show…….LOU’S CONTROL Radio Show. I am proud to announce that I have won 2 Best Radio Show Awards for The Hamilton Music Awards, as well as being named the Best Radio Show in VIEW Magazine’s reader’s poll 3 years in a row!
Since 1997, I have had the opportunity of interviewing so many incredible musicians. At times, I would step out of my body to make sure that the interview actually happened. It seemed like I was going back in time. I was once again at a Campus Radio Station, and I once again started booking acts.
Hamilton has always been the most important city for music in Canada. King Biscuit Boy, Crowbar, Jackie Washington, Teenage Head, The Forgotten Rebels, Junkhouse, The Killjoys, Simply Saucer, The Shakers, The Vapids, Daniel Lanois……need I go on? It was such a boost to be part of this city’s musical infrastructure. I became involved in booking acts in various venues, and then the BIG call came in.
In February 2004, I got a call from the Corktown Tavern’s owner asking if I would be interested in being their exclusive talent buyer. I have always LOVED the Corktown Tavern. In 1988, I was dating a girl from Hamilton. Both of us lived in Ottawa, and we used to come into Hamilton on occasional weekends to hang out with her family. We used to go to the Corktown on weekends, and see a variety of bands.
I knew that the Corktown sat under a dark cloud for a while, but I wanted to be the wind that blew that dark cloud elsewhere. I tried to remind the city that this room was a very important venue to the city of Hamilton, and it should not be forgotten. It was imperative to put this venue back on the map, and the fun began.
As I write this introduction, I am getting ready to meet with our new owners who are going to take the Legendary Corktown Tavern into the next phase, starting in August 2006. It will always be our favourite Live Dive of all time! However, this gorgeous building is going to the spa for some much needed love and nurturing!
I look forward to this blog. I am looking forward to the communication with all of you, as well as the chance to learn about you. All of you are the reason why Hamilton is important, and cool!
Whether its Hockey, Football, Roller Derby, Music, History, Lou Reed, Ray Davies, Angelo Mosca, Bronzie’s or 3 Stooges flicks, I want to chat about these and more.
You know, the World at times can be a very horrific planet to live in. That is a reality. However, on the other hand, it is the most startling place to live because of all the incredible human feats.
I am Lou Molinaro, a proud citizen of Hamilton Ontario!
