Been through many similar experiences as those posted, Ontario is one interesting place to play. Like one time in Hamilton, Ontario ( with Glen's old group), the P.A. system behind the bar somehow got hooked up with ours, in the middle of a beautiful ballad the barmaid cut in with " Taxi at the Bar - Taxi at the bar for Mr.Smith).

Playing a one week gig in the Parkdale in Toronto, a "native" requested we play Red Deer, I explained that we did not know the song, his response was to "play it anyway", we eventually ignored him and the result was a 10 inch long souvenir tomahawk being hurled at the stage and lodged in the bass players thigh.

In the Carlton club one "St.Patrick's Night" the crowd (all well dressed and very snobbish) were upset because we did not know any real Irish songs like "Who put the pyjamas in mrs. Murphy's chowder and other gems. After suffering some cat calls we took a break. Unfortunately we did not know that the dressing room had an intercom system, so we discuussed everything from the big fat bitch with the pearls, the cigar smoking turd in the front seat to the fairy bartender, unaware that every word was being heard up in the enteretainment room. Needless to say we got a very cold receprtion for the second, third and fourth set. We did get paid but never invited back.

Rick, I played the Dick Turpin room ( 2x four week gigs) alternating with George De Souza. There were so many ladies checking out the new entertainers that it was hard to tell the politicians wife from the doctors wife or the dentists's wife. It was a nice gig though, the only drunk was the president of a very larger bank who came in every night around 8.30 and was carried out to his limo by the chauffeur around 1.00am. Every single night.

Another night in the Camelot Tavern in Toronto, our bass player had to run down to the nearest drug store for some cold medicine, on the way back he was sprayed by a skunk. He did not notice because he had a cold but the rest of us on stage and the people in the first 6 rows noticed , big time. That was one long night.

Being almost fully retired now I (as Glen remarked) also really miss those days.

After close to 30 years playing around Ontario I am sure there are a lot more stories to tell, the truth is I can only remember about 10 of those years. ?.