Probably to early for some of you folks but in 65, I used to hang out at the Blue Lantern on Stanley St. It was owned by a fellow named Manny who was, I believe, managing Penny Lang at the time. It was a great spot; a tiny little basement joint. It became the first New Penelope when Gary Eisenkraft took it over.

I was a scruffy 17 year old with a cheap harmony guitar. I got to sing once in a while on nights when they had people like Richie Havens, Buckley and David Blue as headliners. That's when I first encountered Bruce "Peace" Murdoch, Willie Dunn and Sean Gagnieer. Put together a little blues band there with John Cousineau and his brother. It only lasted a few months.

I worked for a few months at Montreal Engineering in the mail room with a young Juan Rodrigez. He was just starting to put out the first issues of his POPSICLE mag there. All in all, it was a very formative time for me, particlularly musically.

Hope this stirs up some memories.
Dave Gallant