Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1969 to 1970
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired Saturday nights, before hockey, from September 22, 1973 to June 22, 1974. Aired Wednesday nights from September 1974 to September, 1975.
A couple of years after The Music Machine ended its short run, writers Garry Ferrier and Aubrey Tadman reused the title for this new series with singer Keith Hampshire. Hampshire had a couple of hit records to his credit, including a version of The First Cut is the Deepest, later covered by Rod Stewart.
The format of this show was a little more concert-like in presentation and performance. It was recorded in front of an audience in CBC’s Studio 7 in Toronto. Doug Riley was the musical director featuring his band, Dr. Music, and Soul Company, the token vocal group. The Zoo Factory provided comic relief but big draw were the guests: a who’s who of Canadian rock, at the time.
Lighthouse, Fludd, Copper Penny, and Valdy,all made appearances.
In the second season, Eric Robertson and Local 149 replaced Dr. Music, while the vocal group Liberation took Soul Company’s place. In 1983, Hampshire received a gold record for OK Blue Jays, still played years later during the seventh inning stretch at the Blue Jays’s home games.
The program was written by Gay Claitman, with Ferrier and Tadman, and directed by Athan Katsos.
Written by John Corcelli – August, 2005