Author: McPherson, David
Edition: Illustrated
Format: Illustrated
Number Of Pages: 208
Release Date: 02-11-2017
Details: Product Description A complete history of Toronto’s legendary Horseshoe Tavern, “the Birthplace of Canadian Rock,” to coincide with its seventieth anniversary. Like the Queen Street strip that has been its home for seven decades, the Horseshoe Tavern continues to evolve. It remains as relevant today as it did when Jack Starr founded the country music club on the site of a former blacksmith shop. From country and rockabilly to rock ‘n’ roll, punk, alt/country, and back to roots music, the venerable live music venue has evolved with the times and trends ― always keeping pace with the music. Over its long history, the Horseshoe has seen a flood of talent pass through. From Willie Nelson to Loretta Lynn, Stompin’ Tom Connors to The Band, and Bryan Adams to the Tragically Hip, the Horseshoe has attracted premier acts from all eras of music. In The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, David McPherson captures the turbulent life of the bar, and of Canadian rock. Review The Horseshoe Tavern has long been the most important club in Canada, down at the corner of Queen and Spadina in Toronto. Whether it’s legendary residencies from Stompin’ Tom to the Rheostatics, or a super-surprise concert by the Rolling Stones, or my own band playing a string of New Year’s Eve shows in that room that I will never forget, the Horseshoe is Canada’s beating heart of rock ’n’ roll. David McPherson’s book does a brilliant job illustrating just that. ― Grant Lawrence, The Smugglers a glorious two-handed plunge into the loam of the most famous rock ’n’ roll club in Canada; digging in the weeds to find the bones that find the ghosts who played there, from Hank Williams to Tom Connors to Frankie Venom to Townes Van Zandt and beyond. ― Dave Bidini, author of Writing Gordon Lightfoot The Horseshoe is one the most beloved clubs in North America. Certainly Toronto would not be the same without it. David McPherson takes us on a wonderful journey that shows the reader why the club is called the Legendary Horseshoe and where those legends came from. ― Bernie Finkelstein, founder True North Records and manager, Bruce Cockburn There are stories aplenty but the book has been tightly edited so the true music fan’s only criticism is that they might wish for even more. ― Penguin Eggs Magazine ( McPherson’s dexterous unearthing of some of The Horseshoe Tavern’s history is most welcome. ― The Country Standard Time Pays serious homage to a venue we can only hope will be around far beyond the 70 years it has already lived. ― Spill Magazine Whether your interest is music, history or nostalgia, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern is worth reading. ― Toronto Sun A nostalgia trip for those who were there, and an intriguing primer for those who weren’t. ― Exclaim! Over the years, Toronto has had its fair share of legendary clubs including the El Mocambo, the Colonial Tavern, the Matador and the Riverboat. Arguably, none of these are important as the Horseshoe Tavern. Open since 1947, the Horseshoe started as a country bar, for a short while was at the center of Toronto’s punk scene and for the past 35 years has booked a plethora of eclectic up and coming Canadian and international acts, many of whom have gone on to become superstars. On the eve of its 70th birthday, author David McPherson finally tells the fabled club’s story. ― Rob Bowman, Grammy Award-winning author and professor At a time when music venues are under attack by gentrification and development, the Horseshoe remains immortal. I’ve long wondered what those checkerboard floors would say if they could talk. Now they can. ― Alan Cross, internationally renowned radio broadcaster and music writer The definitive history of the venue from its original owner, Jack Starr, through all its various incarnations, owners, and bookers and their families, up to the present day. ― Penguin Eggs In 1986, moving from Montreal, between late nights at Rock ’N’ Roll Heaven and equally late nights at the Horseshoe Tavern, my initiation
EAN: 9781459734944
Languages: English
Binding: Paperback
Item Condition: New