| RONNIE HAWKINS - AN AMERICANADIAN ICON (CONT'D) |
| A surprise guest was Ms. Mick Lindo performing "Stand By Me". I had previously experienced her dynamic vocal styling at the recent U.S. benefit concert at the Docks in Toronto, featuring Goddo, Moxy, Lighthouse, A Foot in Coldwater, and other stellar supporting acts. She was brought on board by Jeff Healey, who exchanged some good-natured onstage dissing with Ronnie, who tried to discourage the crowd from applauding Jeff too much, in the event that Jeff would demand a bigger payment. Jeff laughingly countered that by saying Ronnie owed him from 14 years ago! Other female performers included Leah (Ronnie's daughter) and Carol Ann, also referred to as Ronnie's "dancing girls", and Patti Janetta. Leah and Carol Ann individually delivered knock-out versions of Ike Turner's "Rollin' on the River" and Grand Funk's "Some Kinda Wonderful". The final gangbuster set with Ronnie & The Hawks also featured a rock'n'roll medley led by Dallas Harms (excuse the misspelling if applicable), which really brought us back to what Ronnie's all about - old-time rock'n'roll - and long may it live! At one point in the show, I counted 10 players onstage, at least 7 of whom were playing guitars of one sort or another - absolutely amazing! The sound was filled out deliciously with keyboards, saxophone and pedal steel guitar (by Al Driscoe). Ronnie's son, Robin, wowed the crowd on vocals and guitar, expertly paying tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan's classics "If the House is Rockin'" and "Pride and Joy". Ronnie pleased the crowd with standards from his own repertoire, e.g. "Forty Days", "Mary Lou" and "Who Do You Love". For a review by Cyndi Ingle of his latest CD, Can't Stop Rockin', go to www.701.com (Arts & Entertainment, October's CD Reviews). I'd like to offer my sincere apologies for omitting any names, as everyone involved did a wonderful job, including the security personnel and concession servers. I'd also like to offer thanks to Hamilton's firefighters and emergency service personnel for their support and participation in the event. My only disappointment was that I didn't win that beautifully hand-carved "six-string Hotrod" guitar made by Willow Guitars! |
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