BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 11:39 PM

God No. Although I admit of visiting it once.
Is that the one where the gals use to dance in a cage?

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 09:02 AM

a cage ? to keep the ladies in or the 'clients' out ?

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 09:26 AM

If I could I would up load a picture of Norman and a friend who was visiting in the summer of 67. I took the picture of the two of them saluting each other with beer glasses, and yes there is a cage behind them with a fair young lass. Another picture I have taken on the same day is 3 Hare Krishna's doing their music thing in a small Park located across St. Catherine's Street from "The Bay" store. I forget the name of the Park, but behind the Krishna's is Union Street and a sign indicating where a horrific fire took place and 37 lives were lost. The Bluebird Club downstairs and the Wagon Wheel upstairs.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:14 PM

"Phillip's Square"

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:16 PM

that was me.... I hung out in that place absorbing the show

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 29 Nov 08 - 09:18 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 08:39 AM

I'm trying to recall the names of two cafe-type restaurants near McGill University that I frequented in the 1960's - one, I think was called the Cafe Suisse (?) and had two floors located on McGill College Ave. served a delicious potage St. Germain with its lunch for about $2. The other was on Stanley Stree - maybe the Continental - we walked down some stairs and could see the passersby through the windows as we ate. any help would be appreciated

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Rick Whitelaw
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 09:38 PM

Wow!

Bob, you certainly stirred up some (needed and wanted) memories with your post. All those people! I feel honored to be mentioned in their midst.

Rick.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 10:25 PM

Hi Rick 'The Flaming Fret' Whitelaw...

are you still 'stranger than dangerous'?
just did a session with Michel Dion last week...   R.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,biff
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:25 PM

I was at Expo 67 with my family and we actually stayed a few nights at Habitat (experimental housing units) on the island. This was a cultural height of the mid century. Many art exhibits and people open to cultural exchange. At night the place glittered. I was so young it is hard to remember. We were happier then. At one exhibit we all looked at mirrors and a narrator told us that "the beast is man." I was too young to understand. There was very little fear and it was like a constant explosion of art.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,biff
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:27 PM

The American exhibit was to be noted for its emphasis on space achievements and its giganticism, but as a child I found myself disappointed and wanting more from the exhibit or at least something different.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bobad
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:47 PM

biff, there are some fine reminiscences of Expo on this thread: Memories Of Expo 67.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,biff
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:53 PM

yeah I've been there, thanks.. wish I could write better..some European nation's art exhibit where every figure was a skeleton..very disturbing to me. I've often thought that Expo 67 was the closest the mainstream ever got to psychedelia back then...better then anything now.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:57 PM

biff, I was 20 at the time and what a time it was.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:57 PM

I believe that the US pavilion (Bucky's dome) is the only one left standing. The skeletal frame survived at least....

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bobad
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:33 PM

The former pavilion of France still stands but it has been transmogrified into a casino.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 11:13 AM

Thanks to Bobad I think I have accomplished something today.

Hare Krishna's in Phillip's Square Montreal 1967/69

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ad4-fhV4aa_I-D4HYpmmMA?authkey=CdCf1hATqDA&feat=directlink

Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 11:15 AM

The second picture was taken on the same day with Ben on the left and brother Norman on the right. More I think about it I do believe it was 1969.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 02:24 PM

Very charitable, supporting struggling young women in the arts.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 12:08 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 03:34 PM

funny, the Krishna drummer in the middle was Mark Buchwald aka Baradraj
used to be the grubby singer for Albert Failey Blues Band...before he converted.. a talented artist (brushes) who made it on the 'Give Peace a Chance' recording when John and Yoko were in Montreal in '69....engineered by Andre Perry

and Stormin' Norman with hair and sideburns... that's too funny

thanks beer

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 09:29 PM

That is interesting Ron. How in the hell you can remember all that is great. Yep, brother Norm had hair once. Past his shoulders at one time as well. Like many of us.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: john f weldon
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 02:09 PM

This is from my 1970 comic, Pipkin Papers. The whole thing is on line if anyone's interested.

http://www.weldonalley.ca/comics/pipkinsmall/pip22.html

Bankley-

The Krishnas were everywhere in those days, but I never see them now. What happened? Did that guy ever put on a suit and start selling life insurance, or go back to playing, or what?

In other words, can you escape?

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:22 PM

thanks for the link John.. fine entertainment for a winter's day (or 2)...I'd love to work on something with you down the road...

The Krishna's are still around, but not as visible... they have a few restaurants in different cities... I don't know what happened to Mark, lost track of him and a few others whom I knew... there was a power struggle when their Master died, also copyright litigation against them for bootlegging Disney characters.... and you don't want to mess with Mickey... that would be plain Goofy...


they also had a heavily armed commune in West Va... so I guess Woodstock became Altamont for them too... those US devotees didn't mess around...

Can you escape ?.. sure, but it ain't easy...like any tight sect there's a lot of guilt thrown at the 'fallen one'.... nobody's encouraged to think for themselves... but they don't have exclusive rights on that...   anyhow, they were colourful, I liked some of the music and culture... the food wasn't too healthy, lots of white rice, white flour, white sugar....
'white on' I suppose....

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 04:51 PM

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

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 05:07 PM

Hi Dave.
Glad you made it to Mudcat. I am sure you are going to get some worthy responses.
Adrien (friend of Ken's)

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 05:59 PM

Hey Dave, I used to knock around with Juan in the 70's... he's a fine writer still doing occasional entertainment spreads for the Gazette.
He did an article about a band I formed in the 70's called Koma.. it ended up on page 3 of the Mtl. Star in the political section... something about the 1st Anglo to play at the Hotel Iroquois, a hotbed for separatist artists and characters...'

I also used to hang around and played some at The Totem Pole... it's where I 1st saw Murdoch, Gagnier and the usual suspects of the time..there was also a band there called 'Sidetrack' who worked a lot in NYC.at 'Whiskey a go-go' I believe... Alan Brown played guitar with them... we became friends later on... I might have seen you playing as well, but it was over 40 yrs. ago.... a great time indeed..

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 06:07 PM

Don't know the Totem Pole. Remember Sidetrack playing the Penelope on Stanley once....small stag....hot music.

Peace is coming to my place on Vancouver Island for a visit and a couple of gigs in April. It will be good to see him after 40 or so years....a lot of catching up to do.....Adrien I was born in Sackville NB and most of my family originated in PEI as you probably know. My wife has traced us Gallants back to the 1600's

Ron, just great what you've done for Bruce....great CD

Take care.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 06:57 PM

thanks Dave... full circle...labour of love....I knew that kid had talent!

The Totem Pole was the same bldg as The Blue Lantern and Penelope.. I did a walkabout around the area about 3 yrs. ago..
downstairs is now a 'Subway' restaurant... I didn't go in.. nobody was playing.. oh well, you can tune a guitar but you can't tuna fish..

Have fun with BM on the Island... I usually get out there every two years to hang with music friends in Nanaimo. Langstaff, Tibo et al

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 09:55 PM

I know the Dirty Flannel Dawg, but have never net Langstaff

Hope we can connect if you get out this way.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Beer
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 10:03 PM

With a name like Gallant,I knew you had to be from the Maritimes. And an acadian as well.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 10:45 PM

Dave, I'll make a point to do that... and it's when... not if

did some recording for Laura at Lester's studio last time, I've never seen anyone with more Guild guitars... 'Trinitude' is a nice trio as well..

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 01:13 PM

Yeah Ron....I guess when I was there, the Totem Pole was a Disco complete with a dancer in the bay window. There were rooms on the top floor where we used to hang out.

I also remember there was a place across the street called Pepe's. and a small restaurant next door to the Penelope, the name of which I can't remember. During the winter months, the owner used to take pity on me every now and then and bring me in for a plate of pasta and a bottle of Brio.....way cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 03:34 PM

I got fed there a few times, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 03:46 PM

Yeah....I just loved that Brio..an Italian (I believe) softdrink.

Gotta say how amazing it is to me how via this website we discover how really interconnected our lives are....just freaking amazing It's so great to "meet" you all..what a small world

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 04:06 PM

Getting back to the purpose of this thread, does anyone remember the "Black Bottom" and Nelson Simons?

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 08:57 PM

of course.... Nelson was probably the most un-famous jazz guitar giants on the planet... I saw Nelson last in the mid-90's.. He had just recorded a cd for Justin Time Records.... and was playing a nice resto-bar on Place Jacques Carter at the same time as the Jazz Fest.. Whenever some of the guitar 'names' were in town, like Benson, they'd want to go see Nelson after their gig...leave the limo waiting nearby while they got down.... anyway, Nelson was nervous about going back home to play in Halifax after being away for 30 yrs.. he didn't like the attention and would have just as soon slipped in unannounced.. that's Nelson..... with his weird-ass custom Gretsch and chords that I could never name...never got the wide spread recognition that I feel he deserved... hell, he couldn't get a gig at the Jazzfest for years and years.....and he lived there all year long, doin' his thing..
he had a stroke a few years ago and stopped playing ..his brother Ivan died in the early 90's, I believe....
here's to Mr. Nelson Symonds

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:00 PM

Brio IS Italian. It was available at The Italian Store in Edmonton last I looked.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:01 PM

just found out that he died this past Oct... RIP..

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:03 PM

Went to the Black Bottom a few times when I was 15 or 16, back in 1963. Saw the man thereand he was great (NS).

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: C. Ham
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 09:33 PM

Ron,

Nelson and Ivan Symonds were cousins, not brothers.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bobad
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 10:05 PM

Nelson Symonds held court at Cafe La Boheme on Guy street in the late 60s early 70s. I had the pleasure of hearing him play there on many an occasion.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 11:49 PM

Sorry to hear that he's past. Was the CD for justintime his only recording? What was it called and is it available in any way? Your right, he never did get the recognition he deserved.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 12:51 AM

I mentioned John Cousineau a few posts up. Anyone got any info on him?
Believe it or not John Pimm and Rick metcalfe from the Rabble ended up here in Sooke where I live. Pimm is still here but I think Metcalfe is back in Ottawa.

First saw those guys at the Bonnaventure curling rink when I was still in highschool. (Marymount - I lived in NDG)

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bankley
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 09:20 AM

Thanks C.Ham...   NS has a myspace page... I'll check around for other recordings...
The Rabble ! a great band.. really innovative, I knew Brian Robillard, the 1st drummer I saw without the front skin on his bass drum...

The Influence with Walter Rossi were cookers..

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bobad
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 10:23 AM

I too used to see the Rabble at the Bonaventure Curling Club on Cote de Liesse, those Saturday summer concerts were a major venue for local bands in the 60's. Some other groups I recall are JB and The Playboys, Bartholomew plus 3, MG and The Escorts, the Monks (complete with robes), and the MCs, local DJs Dave Boxer and Dean Hagopian.

The Rabble stood out from the others with their original and creative song writing and playing. I have recently obtained the two albums they released which were recently re-released on a local Quebec label, Disques Merite. Their music still stands up, for the most part. They are talking about putting out some new stuff, another 60s resurrection. They have a MySpace page the Rabble where one can sample a few songs.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: GUEST,Dave Gallant
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 10:38 AM

Mike Gauthier was in my class in my final year of highschool. Don't forget the Haunted. John Pimm and I are friends here in Sooke BC and have had the opportunity of doing a number of gigs together.

Boy is this thread bring back some memories.

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: meself
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 10:58 AM

John Pimm - I somehow know that name - he must have lived in Toronto at some point in the '70s?

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: bobad
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 11:03 AM

Yes of course, The Haunted, remembered them just after posting, they too have had their work re-released. They were the "Stones" to JB and The Playboys' "Beatles".

Subject: RE: BS: Montreal 60's Counterculture Question
From: john f weldon
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 11:25 AM

The last bunch of posts are filled with names and places I don't know. But wayyy back someone mentioned Alan Brown. Did he have an older brother Chris? And for a while have a short-lived band with Dane Lanken and Bob Pressner? Did he work for Johnny Jellybean? And, most importantly, did the sounds of their band once come out of Johnny Jellybean's Squawk Box?