The Prog Digest
By Klyde Kadiddlehumper
Sometimes a topic shows up and refuses to let go. Then, of course, Klyde gets a bee in his bonnet, his brain does whatever it is it does and – voila – the birth of a column.
We had to put a surcharge on this month’s Xperience as the contents come from across the border – in the Great White North.
So, put on your toque, grab a 2-fer (24) and a box of crullers … .here we go. Oh, that’s a knit cap, a case of beer and a dozen donuts for those who are not bilingual.
In the late ‘70s, radio was many things … and in Canada, as today, there is this rule about Canadian content. There are strict rules and criteria which are designed to promote and encourage that radio, television, and now digital provide access to and performance of Canadian writers and performers.
From its inception in 1971, being subsumed by another country’s media was not something Canada was going to allow. Face it, the Brits and the Americans were juggernauts even then. Applied to Francophiles as well – Quebecers are staunch. Heck, for other reasons, Quebec and British Columbia want to secede from Canada …
But I digress, and we move on. Oh, I would be remiss to not mention that IMHO the greatest thing to come out of Quebec is Montreal smoked meat. Just sayin’.
It all really started for Klyde in the mid ‘70s when my favorite radio station became CHEZ 106 – Ottawa.
On the prog side, there were the stalwarts – Rush, Triumph, Saga, Max Webster. Lesser-known were Jackal, Goddo, Moxy and Pollen (from the Quebecois prog scene).
CHEZ 106 is still around, but you can’t listen to it streaming as it is not licensed to stream outside Canada. If you are a geek, like me, a geo-boundary smashing VPN will let you get there, but that would be breaking the rules and none of us here … hang on, WTF am I saying? Breaking the rules is what we do …
It had been a VERY long time, so Klyde went off and listened to Jackal’s one and only album, “Awake.” Sometimes we forget just how amazing some of this stuff is and, since it was all pre-internet, most of us probably never heard of them. For those of you interested, think a keyboard-heavy prog band. The band, with keyboardist Chris Kellesis and his brother James, could easily have been on par worldwide with ELP or early Yes. The adventurous ought to try it out – heck, it’s the soundtrack while this is being written. Just do a search on the YouTubes and take a listen.
At the time, many wonderful things were imported by college students crossing an obscure little bridge in the North Country. Brador. Molson Export. Tim Hortons (not really that big yet in ’77-8). A Canadian pressing of Styx’ “Cornerstone” as a gatefold – which is now autographed by a stunned Dennis DeYoung while on a solo tour. It is in pristine condition, and I even cleaned the fold of remnants of college ID sorted, umm, seeds.
A place and a time. Progressive as hell. Want a feel for the time? Search for Dick Beach’s interview with Carole Pope of Rough Trade from Xperience magazine.
Remember, these are the same people who gave us SCTV and Trailer Park Boys. Funny and sarcastic as all get out. And if your curiosity is piqued and you are taking a short break from RadioRadioX (and you have SiriusXM), take a listen to Iceberg – all Canadian content, all the time.
OK – now, don’t be a hoser, search for all the Great White North has to offer. Skate the Rideau. Find a Canadian band and suggest we play it.
Hmmmm … maybe the boss will entertain the idea of a Canadian band RadioRadioX special.
Who knows.
Until next time.
Klyde
