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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!

Comments

[Michael Mahalik]

Wow! Lou Molinaro, I know the name like it fell from ears yesterday... not some OMG... 25+years ago in High School. I'm catching up with so many people on facebook.com (by the way, OCCI representation is low!) So I've been on a quest to get back to my Oshawa days of HS, sports and kicking back. I joined the army in 81, it was OK! actually it was great! I'm able to write this post from NYC, NY. I'm not sure if you remember me I didn't graduate or make any high school reunions for that very reason. But it's nice to see a familiar name. Seems you're doing good in Hamilton, I'll check you out the next time I'm North.

Michael Mahalik
NYC.
m_mahalik@hotmail.com

[Kenny Prescott]

Hey Lou,
It's been awhile. It's your old pal Kenny from Oshawa. We had some good times..and I am glad you still love that rock'n'roll!
I'll never forget those nights at the Horseshoe...Little Texas, Kelly Willis and Kevin Welch!..and the time we both snuck our way down to Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown's dressing room at the Purple Onion pretending we we writers for the Oshawa Times..it worked we got in and had a Hell of a time that night chatting with Kim and Dave Walker and the boys till the sun came up!
Rock on buddy!
Your pal,
Kenny..and Suzanne
PS: 11........

[SammySquid]

Hey Lou,I got a really good deal on some rapini.It's usually $3.49 lb. I bought a whole bushel for 16 bucks.wow! well, I think I'm gona write a song... Surfing on Rapini. Thanks man, remember, wine cellars are cool. Sammy

[pete kashur]

hey lou
...thanks for the memories re: the ontario place riot; but i don't remember the bottle incident; was it aimed at me or the other guy...i must have been basking in the love that was radiating from the crowd...hah...i remember getting off site before the boys got the place real lathered up....i recall them cancelling the rest of the rock shows that year....once again thanks.
...swing by the cadillac lounge some wednesday....the segarini's would like to hear more about the corktown, we always had a good time in hamilton, duffy's was our first gig back in the day, and bannisters....mohawk...and the after gig visits to canadian rock mecca, bad manors...fond memories. all the best lou

[Jeff]

Cool to find this blog... I also bought all my music when a youngster(1983 on) at Star Records in Oshawa. I'm starting my own show tomorrow at CFUR (the community/campus station) here in Prince George, and was looking for the release date of the Forgotten Rebels' This Ain't Hollywood (it's not on the album) and found your blog in my travels through cyberspace.

I think those guys at Star records did a LOT for a lot of kids like us. Certainly I have a dozen mates with stacks of old 70s and 80s vinyl that came from Star Records.

Good luck with what you're doing.

[Rick Catulli]

Hey Lou, how ya doin? I can't believe i found this site. I was just looking at an old year book from Central and it brought back some good memories.I was telling some guys at work how when ever I would go to your place, your dad would make me move rocks! remember?? Nice to see you still love music, You are the one who introduced me to Teenage Head and the New York Dolls,great times indeed.Anyway, drop me a line,it would be cool!

Cya
Rick Catulli

[Graham Rockinhammer]

Hey, Lou ... you forgot to mention that Yardbirds show at the Cork two weeks ago. Hot and sweaty, the way rock 'n' roll should be. What a 'rave-up' ... thanks, Graham

[tom hogue]

Lou,

Tip of the hat to you for this thorough and complete outline of what readers can expect on your Jamilton blog.

You have a lot of respect in the community for your fair-minded perspective on music in the city.

We are proud to have you on thespec.com as a blog author.

Thanks for being here.