Originally conceived by Morris Sardo (saxophone), John Willett (trumpet) and Don Berryman (trombone) in January 1985 as an extension of The Fabulous Fumes (drummer Gary Scott, bassist Greg Smith, trumpeter John Willett and guitarist Phil Kott) and continuing into the present, I liken Hamilton�s Powerhouse (a.k.a. Chicago Transit) to Toronto�s Downchild Blues Band, for its longevity and complex genealogy, albeit without many original compositions being performed. Highlights of the band�s illustrious career includes being on concert bills with Blood, Sweat and Tears, Blue Rodeo, Hall & Oates, Tragically Hip, Sam & Dave, Colin James and Burton Cummings.
Gradual additions and replacements to the roster changed its line-up to Carlo Dibattista on trumpet and lead vocals, John Willett on trumpet and vocals, Dan Eliot on trombone, flute and vocals, Glen Higgins on saxophone and vocals (notably on their Joe Cocker covers!), Paul Vardy on drums and lead vocals, Greg Smith on bass and lead vocals, Phil Kott on guitar and lead vocals, and Martin Kling on keyboards and vocals. Throughout the history of the band, their professional sound technician has been Brad �Woody� Stone who graciously donated his Gibson 335 (personally autographed by B.B. King) to Phil Kott, which he still uses to this day (it�s now 45 years old)!
Throughout 1985 to 1992 there were numerous temporary personnel of varying duration such as drummers Randy Gallant (now with Radiator), Dave Aldham, and Danny Lockwood (now with Jamie Oakes), bassist Mike Debenedictus, guitarist Bob Franco, keyboardists Vince Renaldo and Milo Darnell, sax players Paul Augustyn and Tom Forsythe (Sharon Musgrave) and lead vocalist Mitch de Veto. Don Berryman, the original trombonist, who also did the horn charts for the band, was obliged to give up that instrument due to complications from dental and thyroid operations. He is now honing his chops on keyboards with several Hamilton/Dunnville-area musicians.
As of December/03, Paul Vardy has been replaced on drums by Steve Negus, and saxophonist Glenn Higgins has been replaced by "prodigal son" Paul Augustyn and Martin Kling (who has exiled himself to Marathon, Ontario, for a teaching position, has been replaced by a newer, younger keyboardist, Tony Aquino.
|
