Ronn Metcalfe
Encyclopedia
Ronn Metcalfe was successful band leader from St. Catharines, Canada. and music industry leader.
He released an LP named after the title track "Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball
" which garnered him a gold record. He used this success to start a rock and roll
band scene in Niagara, Canada
. He created Image Artist Representatives booking/managing agency, and opened The Castle
, the premiere club for bands between Buffalo
and Toronto
.
Another hit from Metcalfe (which he wrote) was a song called "Back to T.O." (T.O. is vernacular for Toronto)
This Niagara scene spawned many musicians such as Neil Peart
from Rush
, Glen Gratto from Lee Aaron
, Bullrush, and The Mad Cats, Gary Storin from The Stampeders
, The Hunt
's Paul Dickinson, and Brian Gagnon and other music industry "behind the scene" types such as Jimmy Johnson
from Rush
and Styx
.
Some of Metcalfe's band include:
- Drummer Chico Fernandez
who went on to work with Motown and Vegas acts.
- Alto sax Fred Lipsius
who went on to create Blood, Sweat and Tears.
- Bass trombonist Tony Salvatore who later joined Doc Severinson's Tonight Show band.
- Sam Falzone who later joined up with Don Ellis
.
Ronn Metcalfe died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 38 while on a business/family trip to Ottawa
, Canada
. At the time he was securing a deal with Polydor Records
.
He released an LP named after the title track "Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball
Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball
"Twisting at the Woodchopper's Ball" was the first made in Canada single to top the International Charts.Ronn Metcalfe released an LP named after the title track, "Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball", which garnered him a gold record. The album was a good example of high calibre musicianship...
" which garnered him a gold record. He used this success to start a rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band scene in Niagara, Canada
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...
. He created Image Artist Representatives booking/managing agency, and opened The Castle
The Castle
The Castle is a novel by Franz Kafka. In it a protagonist, known only as K., struggles to gain access to the mysterious authorities of a castle who govern the village for unknown reasons...
, the premiere club for bands between Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Another hit from Metcalfe (which he wrote) was a song called "Back to T.O." (T.O. is vernacular for Toronto)
This Niagara scene spawned many musicians such as Neil Peart
Neil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...
from Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Glen Gratto from Lee Aaron
Lee Aaron
Lee Aaron , is a Canadian rock and jazz singer. She had several hits in the 1980s and early 1990s such as "Metal Queen", "Whatcha Do to My Body", and "Sex with Love".- Background :...
, Bullrush, and The Mad Cats, Gary Storin from The Stampeders
The Stampeders
The Stampeders are a Canadian rock trio, consisting of Rich Dodson, Ronnie King, and Kim Berly.-Career:The band formed in Calgary, Alberta in 1964 as The Rebounds....
, The Hunt
The Hunt
"The Hunt" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Hyder Simpson lives with his wife and his hound-dog Rip in the backwoods. Mrs. Simpson does not like having the dog indoors, but Rip saved Hyder's life once, and Hyder won't be parted from him. Mrs...
's Paul Dickinson, and Brian Gagnon and other music industry "behind the scene" types such as Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson or Jim Johnson or Jimmie Johnson may refer to:In sports:* Jim Johnson , NFL assistant coach most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles...
from Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
.
Some of Metcalfe's band include:
- Drummer Chico Fernandez
Chico Fernandez
Humberto "Chico" Fernández Pérez is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played eight seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Philadelphia Phillies , Detroit Tigers , and New York Mets . Fernández played in 856 Major League games, 810 at shortstop...
who went on to work with Motown and Vegas acts.
- Alto sax Fred Lipsius
Fred Lipsius
Fred Lipsius was the original saxophonist and arranger for the jazz-rock band, Blood, Sweat and Tears, for which he played alto saxophone and piano...
who went on to create Blood, Sweat and Tears.
- Bass trombonist Tony Salvatore who later joined Doc Severinson's Tonight Show band.
- Sam Falzone who later joined up with Don Ellis
Don Ellis
Don Ellis was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures...
.
Ronn Metcalfe died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 38 while on a business/family trip to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
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...
. At the time he was securing a deal with Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
.