Domenic Troiano
Encyclopedia
Domenic Troiano was a Canadian
rock
guitarist, most notable for his contributions to Mandala, The James Gang, The Guess Who
and as a solo artist.
, Italy
, Troiano became a naturalized Canadian in 1955. He was raised in Toronto and began playing guitar at age 15. As a professional musician, he was a guitarist for Ronnie Hawkins
, James Gang
, The Guess Who
and Bush
, among others.
His first group of note was Robbie Lane & The Disciples, who were hired en masse to back singer Ronnie Hawkins upon the departure of Levon and the Hawks. In 1965, Troiano joined The Rogues who became The Five Rogues and comprised singer George Olliver, bass player Don Elliot, keyboard player Josef Chirowski and drummer Pentti Glan
. In September 1966, the band changed its name to Mandala and recorded two singles, including the top ten hit, "Opportunity" in February 1967. Olliver and Chirowski left later that year and were replaced by Roy Kenner
and organist Henry Babraj. With yet another organist, Hugh Sullivan, the group scored another big Canadian hit in 1968 with "Love-itis" on Atlantic Records
and issued an LP, "Soul Crusade". The band formally broke up in June 1969, but Troiano, Kenner, Sullivan and Glan soon regrouped as Bush
, with bassist Prakash John
. Kenner also later sang in the James Gang with Troiano, who left in the mid-1970s to play with The Guess Who.
He performed with the Domenic Troiano Band in the late 1970s and scored his biggest hit with the 1979 Disco-themed "We All Need Love". He also wrote music for television including the series Night Heat
. Songs composed by Troiano, such as "I Can Hear You Calling", have been performed by other artists including Three Dog Night
. His guitar work can be heard on recordings by Moe Koffman
, Joe Cocker
, James Cotton
and Long John Baldry
. He also had a Canadian release with the band "Black Market" with the original Independent label El Mocambo Records. For nearly twenty-five years, beginning in the early 1980s, Troiano concentrated on contributing to the work of others, as a musician and as a producer, rather than enhancing his own solo career.
Guitarist Domenic Troiano was closely associated with the "Toronto Sound
" of that era, contributed at least two songs to that genre:
"356 Sammon Ave." (1972), a short, instrumental tribute to his parents' former home in East York, and "My Old Toronto Home" (1973).
Domenic Troiano's production credits include albums by Kilowatt, David Gibson, John Rutledge and Patria. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
in 1996.
in 2005. His condition was first diagnosed about ten years earlier.
, Alex Lifeson
, Rik Emmett
, Kevin Breit
, Domenic's brother Frank Troiano, John Harris (head of The Harris Institute), and Jim Norris (editor of Canadian Musician Magazine).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist, most notable for his contributions to Mandala, The James Gang, The Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
and as a solo artist.
History
Born as Domenic Michele Antonio Troiano in ModugnoModugno
Modugno is a town and comune located in southern Italy in the province of Bari, Puglia. At the 2001 census the municipality had a population of 35,980 inhabitants and a land area of 31.90 km²...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Troiano became a naturalized Canadian in 1955. He was raised in Toronto and began playing guitar at age 15. As a professional musician, he was a guitarist for Ronnie Hawkins
Ronnie Hawkins
Ronald "Ronnie" Hawkins is a Juno Award-winning rockabilly musician whose career has spanned more than half a century. Though his career began in Arkansas, USA, where he'd been born and raised, it was in Ontario, Canada where he found success and settled for most of his life...
, James Gang
James Gang
The James Gang was a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. Though the band was not a huge commercial success, except in the Northeast Ohio area, the fame garnered by guitarist Joe Walsh has since made the group more notable.- History :...
, The Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
and Bush
Bush (Canadian band)
Bush was a Canadian rock band in the early 1970s, which evolved from the respected club act Mandala. The latter had a minor Canadian hit with the song "Love-Itis". Bush consisted of ex-Mandala bandmates Domenic Troiano, Roy Kenner, Hugh Sullivan and Pentti Glan, plus Prakash John. The group...
, among others.
His first group of note was Robbie Lane & The Disciples, who were hired en masse to back singer Ronnie Hawkins upon the departure of Levon and the Hawks. In 1965, Troiano joined The Rogues who became The Five Rogues and comprised singer George Olliver, bass player Don Elliot, keyboard player Josef Chirowski and drummer Pentti Glan
Pentti Glan
Pentti Glan a.k.a. Pentti “Whitey” Glan is a Finnish drummer born on July 8, 1946 and best known for his work with Alice Cooper.-Musical career:...
. In September 1966, the band changed its name to Mandala and recorded two singles, including the top ten hit, "Opportunity" in February 1967. Olliver and Chirowski left later that year and were replaced by Roy Kenner
Roy Kenner
Roy Kenner is a Canadian singer and songwriter, most notable as the lead vocalist of Mandala in the late 1960s and as the lead vocalist of The James Gang during 1972-1974.-History:...
and organist Henry Babraj. With yet another organist, Hugh Sullivan, the group scored another big Canadian hit in 1968 with "Love-itis" on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and issued an LP, "Soul Crusade". The band formally broke up in June 1969, but Troiano, Kenner, Sullivan and Glan soon regrouped as Bush
Bush (Canadian band)
Bush was a Canadian rock band in the early 1970s, which evolved from the respected club act Mandala. The latter had a minor Canadian hit with the song "Love-Itis". Bush consisted of ex-Mandala bandmates Domenic Troiano, Roy Kenner, Hugh Sullivan and Pentti Glan, plus Prakash John. The group...
, with bassist Prakash John
Prakash John
Prakash John is a Canadian rock bassist.Born in Bombay, India, John was a student at the Cathedral and John Connon School, enrolling at the age of four in 1951. He migrated to Toronto in 1960....
. Kenner also later sang in the James Gang with Troiano, who left in the mid-1970s to play with The Guess Who.
He performed with the Domenic Troiano Band in the late 1970s and scored his biggest hit with the 1979 Disco-themed "We All Need Love". He also wrote music for television including the series Night Heat
Night Heat
Night Heat is a Canadian police drama series, which aired on CTV from 1985 to 1991. The show also aired on CBS in the United States from 1987 to 1993 and was the first Canadian-produced drama series to air on an American network...
. Songs composed by Troiano, such as "I Can Hear You Calling", have been performed by other artists including Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
. His guitar work can be heard on recordings by Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman, OC was a Canadian jazz musician and composer. He played the flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone and clarinet...
, Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, James Cotton
James Cotton
James Cotton is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band.-Career:...
and Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
. He also had a Canadian release with the band "Black Market" with the original Independent label El Mocambo Records. For nearly twenty-five years, beginning in the early 1980s, Troiano concentrated on contributing to the work of others, as a musician and as a producer, rather than enhancing his own solo career.
Guitarist Domenic Troiano was closely associated with the "Toronto Sound
Toronto Sound
The Toronto Sound is the characteristic R&B sound from the years 1959–69 which was a major progenitor of American Rock in the 1970s. Its components are the Fender Telecaster guitar, Fender Precision Bass, New Orleans-style drumming, a dominant Hammond organ, and soul singing...
" of that era, contributed at least two songs to that genre:
"356 Sammon Ave." (1972), a short, instrumental tribute to his parents' former home in East York, and "My Old Toronto Home" (1973).
Domenic Troiano's production credits include albums by Kilowatt, David Gibson, John Rutledge and Patria. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The ceremony is held each year as part of the Juno Award ceremonies. Members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame represent many of the world's great talents...
in 1996.
Death
He died of prostate cancerProstate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
in 2005. His condition was first diagnosed about ten years earlier.
Posthumous legacy
In 2006, the Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship was initiated, offering financial aid to the winning entrant. The panel of judges consists of guitarists Bernie LaBargeBernie LaBarge
Bernie LaBarge is a Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter.-History:Bernie LaBarge began studying guitar at age 11, shortly after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964. Bernie has been playing professionally since 1967...
, Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
, Rik Emmett
Rik Emmett
Richard Gordon Emmett is a vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph. Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, Absolutely, was released in 1990 and became a moderate hit across North America thanks to the hits "When a Heart...
, Kevin Breit
Kevin Breit
Kevin Breit is a guitar player from McKerrow, Ontario. His group, The Sisters Euclid, has been a fixture at the Orbit Room in Toronto for the past 13 years. Breit has worked as a session musician with a variety of musicians including The Miller Stain Limit, Norah Jones, Michael Kaeshammer, Celine...
, Domenic's brother Frank Troiano, John Harris (head of The Harris Institute), and Jim Norris (editor of Canadian Musician Magazine).
James Gang
- 1972 Passin' ThruPassin' ThruPassin' Thru is the fourth studio album by James Gang, released in 1972.This was the first album after guitarist and vocalist Joe Walsh left and was replaced by the singer Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano, who left the band after Straight Shooter and was replaced with ex-Zephyr guitarist...
(ABCABC RecordsABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
) - 1972 Straight ShooterStraight Shooter (James Gang album)Straight Shooter is the fifth studio album by James Gang , released in 1972, and the final one released on ABC Records...
(ABC)
The Guess Who
- 1974 - FlavoursFlavoursFlavours is an album released in 1975 by the Canadian rock band The Guess Who.A Quadraphonic mix was available on both vinyl and Quadraphonic 8-track tape formats.-Track listing:All songs written by Burton Cummings/Domenic Troiano....
(RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
) - 1975 - Power in the MusicPower in the MusicPower in the Music is the sixteenth album released in 1975 by the Canadian rock band The Guess Who. It was the last album the band released before Burton Cummings left the group to become a solo artist and the group disbanded, although a few subsequent albums were still credited to The Guess...
(RCA)
The Domenic Troiano Band
- 1977 Burnin' At The Stake (CapitolCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
) - 1978 The Joke's On Me (Capitol)
Solo
- 1972 Domenic Troiano (MercuryMercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
) - 1973 Tricky (Mercury)
- 1979 Fret Fever (Capitol)
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Canadian Music Hall of FameCanadian Music Hall of FameThe Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The ceremony is held each year as part of the Juno Award ceremonies. Members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame represent many of the world's great talents...