Author of the new book The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History David McPherson joins me for a chat in Episode 49 of No Sleep ’til Sudbury. The book is an excellent testament to one of Canada’s greatest all-time live music institutions, The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.

We discuss the 70th anniversary of the ‘Shoe and some of the really great shows that have taken place there, and why live music is still so important today. We also chat about my favourite John Prine tune, KD Lang’s incredible voice, The Black Crowes, and my beloved Joni Mitchell.
 

McPherson’s playlist:

John Prine – Hello In There

KD Lang – Hallelujah

Neil Young – Cortez The Killer

Jimmy Buffett – He Went To Paris

Joni Mitchell – The Circle Game

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Brother Zakk Wylde talks to me from his tour bus in Akron, Ohio about two lists of songs that make his skin vibrate – the first one is the ‘exclusive’ list best not shared beyond the tour bus, and the second being the more PG version. Zakk’s hilarious and still a super genuine guy.

During our chat he tells some great Ozzy stories complete with a spot-on Oz impression, the importance of payola, what made Randy Rhoads so great, rock and roll genealogy, and what ingredients go into the Zakk Wylde ‘soup’.

Wylde’s playlist:

Elton John – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (album)

Al DiMeola – Land of the Midnight Sun (album)

John McLaughlin – Anything

Frank Marino – The Power of Rock and Roll (album)

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin I (album)

Ozzy Osbourne – Diary of a Madman (album)

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In episode 47 of No Sleep ’til Sudbury, Rheostatics guitarist and prolific author Dave Bidini returns to the studio with a few more songs to discuss.

This time around we talk about a new Rheostatics record, Spanish roosters, Michael Stipe, the unsettling science experiment that was Devo, and the late great Stompin’ Tom Connors.
 

Bidini’s playlist:

Ian Tyson – Gallo de Cielo

REM – It’s The End of the World

Neil Young – Thrasher

Jackson 5 – I Want You Back

Stompin’ Tom Connors – Bridge Came Tumbling Down

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Dave Bidini is a very interesting individual and one hell of a storyteller. Despite having a cold, Dave drops by the Spoke Club studio for Episode 46 to share the songs that make his skin vibrate.

He tells some unbelievable stories about Stompin’ Tom Connors wearing disguises to Rheostatics gigs, what it was like to record with Jimmy Page’s amp and Bob Marley’s ghost in the Bahamas, and what plays in the jukebox at Dave’s home.
 

Bidini’s playlist:

Queen – Love of My Life

Small Faces – Afterglow

Bikini Kill – New Radio

Propogandhi – Call Before You Dig

Dusty Springfield – You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me

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