Obit: Domenic Troiano

Subject: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: gnu
Date: 27 May 05 - 07:46 AM

Just learned. Postate cancer. Night before last. The music in heaven is even better. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: gnu
Date: 27 May 05 - 07:51 AM

News report.

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: Mooh
Date: 27 May 05 - 10:48 AM

First heard through The 12th Fret, then the email forwards started. He impressed so many folks without trying, and perhaps by trying not to impress, that he made many friends and many more admirers.

A great loss to the music world, and I'm very sorry cancer has taken another. Condolences to his family and friends.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 May 05 - 03:23 AM

Here's the text of the obituary gnu linked to:

Canadian guitarist Domenic Troiano dead at 59 after battle with cancer


ERIN HENDERSON
Thu May 26, 7:08 PM ET

TORONTO (CP) - Guitar legend Domenic Troiano, hailed as one of the greats of the Canadian music scene, has lost a battle with cancer at the age of 59.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer a decade ago, Troiano - once the lead guitarist for The Guess Who - had been in declining health for about seven months prior to his death. He died at his home late Wednesday night.

Troiano catapulted to the top of the Canadian music world in the 1960s, his impressive skill with a guitar landing him integral roles with a number of bands.

His unparalleled talent led him to replace Robbie Robertson as the lead guitarist for Ronnie Hawkins. He also took over for Randy Bachman in The Guess Who in the mid '70s.

Over the years, he also played with The Mandala, Bush and The James Gang.

"His absolute skill as a musician, certainly in the '60s, it was unsurpassed," said Larry LeBlanc, the Canadian bureau chief for Billboard magazine and Troiano's close friend of 40 years. "Everybody wanted to be Troiano."

Toronto broadcaster John Donabie interviewed "Donnie," as Troiano was known to close friends, in the 1960s when Troiano played with The Mandala.

"He could play anything," said Donabie. "And he was so good at it."

Despite earning the spotlight as a top guitarist during the '60s and '70s, and lending his talents to recordings for Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Etta James and countless others, LeBlanc said celebrity never went to Troiano's head.

"He was the antithesis of a star. He was a musician's musician and that's the way everybody looked toward him," LeBlanc said.

"He was one of the most loving, most caring people I think I have ever known," Donabie said. "It's a great, great loss."

Troiano was born in Italy in 1946 and became a naturalized Canadian in 1955. He was raised in Toronto, where, except for a short stint in Los Angeles in the 1970s, he made his home until his death.

He was married briefly to singer Shawne Jackson, but the couple divorced about 10 years ago. Until he was diagnosed with cancer, LeBlanc said Troiano's life was his music.

"This guy was a workaholic," LeBlanc said. "Domenic Troiano lived for making music."

In 1984, Troiano added TV work to his lengthy resume, writing themes and incidental music for television shows, including Night Heat, Diamonds and Hot Shots.

It was dedication to his craft that earned him a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and inspired many of Canada's musicians.

"Every guitar player in Canada knows of Domenic Troiano." said LeBlanc. "And most of the guitar players in Canada will sit back and pause a bit today."

A tribute is planned for him at next month's jazz awards in Toronto.

He leaves his mother, brother and sister.

Visitation will be held on the weekend at R.S. Kane Funeral Home in north Toronto, and a funeral is planned for Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Parish in Thornhill, Ont.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050526/ca_pr_on_en/obit_domenic_troiano_3&printer=1

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 05 - 08:38 PM

Noone but Mooh and me? Jaysus.

Seriously, are Canadian musicians that bereft of international acclaim that nobody knows this guy? He was above and beyond.

What about Jeff Healy? (He's just had another bout with cancer, this time on his thigh. They seem to be dropping like flies lately.) Anyone outside of Canuckville heard of Jeff Healy? Blonde, blind, amazing blues/rock guitarist, songwriter, singer?

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: number 6
Date: 28 May 05 - 08:45 PM

Wow .... this is a loss to the Canadian music world, if not the international music world.

Peace be with him.

sIx

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: Mooh
Date: 29 May 05 - 08:39 AM

I just heard about Jeff Healey too, gnu. Cancer is what caused his blindness, from what I understand, as a child. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 29 May 05 - 10:52 AM

Troiano played in an era when Rock Guitarists tended to be way over the top. He was always a master of taste, more about supporting the music than being a guitar hero. Another big loss to the music community.

Yes, it was cancer that caused Healy's blindness. Let's hope that he can beat it again.

Subject: RE: Obit: Domenic Troiano
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 05 - 02:30 PM

Re Jeff, I have CONFIDENCE in the MAN.