#SummerOfMusic2021
#OSHAWAMUSIC2021
Figures And Locations
CJKX-FM New Country Station -1200 Airport Blvd Suite 207, Oshawa
William Jones was granted the radio licenses by the board of broadcast governors on February 8th, 1967. Though he had the license in AJAX, the studio for the radio shows was in Oshawa Ontario. The station was separated into CHOOAM and KX96FM, both played for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. But the important thing here is KX96 and its influence on Oshawa’s Musical Culture. KXFM New Country Station is arguably the oldest Country station in Ontario, aside from Pure country that first aired in 1945 as an AM and not FM station. Unlike KXFM that went on air along with ChooAM at the same time in 1967.
Red barn auditorium - 172 Wayne Ct, Oshawa
The Red Barn auditorium currently hosts bingo nights. However, in the past and recent history, they have been known for keeping country music alive and well. Throughout the ’70s the Red Barn Auditorium hosted the Oshawa Jamboree. From 1972 to 1976 you can find mention of the Jamboree in RPM Magazine. In the March 16th, 1974 issue of RPM’s magazine, on page 12. It says that nearly 300 people were turned away at the door. Also, the headliner of the night was Sweet Daddy Siki, a retired professional wrestler turned country star. This was his second performance and before he did it, he did an interview on CHOO AM.
#SummerOfMusic2021
Paul Dwyer High School - 700 Stevenson Rd N, Oshawa,
Paul Dwyer had several name changes over the year, including St. Joesph’s school by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Oshawa Cathlioc HIgschool and now Paul Dwyer. This place is important because of its musical history. Lynda Squires of Reign Ghost went to the school when it was an all-girls catholic school, and when it became a Co-Ed highschool Bob Bryden of Reign Ghost and (Spirit of) Christmas went to the school as well. They met in high school and together made history of being the lead group of the GTA’s underground Psychedelic Music Scene.
St. Gregory’s Auditorium -190 Simcoe St N, Oshawa,
At this Venue, Reign Ghost filmed an entire set with a professional film Crew. At the time the group's manager was Jack London from Jack London and the Sparrows. He was the one who arranged the full shoot. However, after the shoot, they never saw it or heard about the shoot ever again. After that Jack London also left as the manager. So now somewhere out in the world is a professional full one hour show of Reign Ghost live, that no one ever got a chance to see.
Stone Records - 172 King Street East, Oshawa
This area was an essential step in the Oshawa music scene because it was where Robert J Stone Set up shop. He was a legend in Oshawa music history, beginning his own music label in the attic of his grandparent’s house at the age of 21. He made international relationships, licensing deals and so much more. He was a pivotal contributor to Oshawa’s cultural industries, like acquiring the rights to Jameco and Black hock records which were located in Jamaica Queens New York and a three-year licensing deal with Island Records in Jamaica and the UK. This building is the one he moved into after expanding his business from his grandparent's house. This area is now an office/shopping complex but is still important to Oshawa's music history.
A fun fact about Robert Stone was that he almost signed Reign Ghost and the famous Jimmie Hendrix
KOP records/ Starr Records -156 Simcoe St S, Oshawa,
Kop records was originally Star records. Owned by Mike Shugla aka Mike Star. He had a massive impact on the Music scene in Oshawa. While opening his record shop in 1974, he also had his own record label that had three bands on it; the forgotten rebels, the bookmen and the cynics. The store was a representation of his music tastes and how he wanted to share his love of music with the people in Oshawa. Selling CDs, Vinyls, and even a few instruments. When he had bands perform, he would call the events Star Club performances and branded them in a way that really helped shape music in Oshawa. At the age of 61, Mike Star passed on and his shop was bought by Kop Records who still preserves the legacy of the record store until this very day.
Oshawa Civic Auditorium - 99 Thornton Rd S, Oshawa,
The Oshawa Civic center is important to Oshawa's musical history because this was where the Rolling Stones performed in Oshawa. During Oshawa’s golden age of music, in 1977 Keith Richards, lead guitarist of the Rolling Stones, got arrested for Heroin at the Harbour Castle Hilton in Toronto. During the trial in 1978, the judge was going to send him to jail for 6 months. However, his Lawyer argued you can’t make an example of it so if he cleaned up his act then everyone would win. The judge then ruled that the stones should do a benefit concert and the concert was held at the Oshawa Civic center because no Toronto venues were available.
Quest Studios - 215 Toronto Ave, Oshawa,
Mars Bonfire also known as Dennis Edmonton, is a huge part of Oshawa’s history. In the 1960s Dennis (an Oshawa Native) was a part of a group called Jack London and the sparrows. He was the background vocalist and lead guitarist of the British invasion influenced band. After the first album, Jack London left the group and the band became the sparrows. The sparrows had a short-lived career, but as the group died out it evolved into something that has become more iconic than its predecessor. Steppenwolf, one of the most famous rock bands of its era. During his time in Steppenwolf, the band did a lot of covers but recorded four original works at this location. Quest Studios. Mars Bonfire also wrote the iconic song Born to be wild, the band’s most famous song.
Jubilee Pavilion - 55 Lakeview Park Ave, Oshawa,
The Jubilee Pavillion was home to many artists from 1964 to 1979. Reign Ghost, The Power and Jack London and the sparrows. Jack London and The Sparrows is a British Invasion-inspired band that performed here in July, September and October of 1964. They were signed to capitol records by Paul White. Paul White was the head of finding new talent for Capitol Records Canada and the man who brought the Beatles across the seas to Canada. Jack London and the Sparrows were fairly popular during their time even had their own version of the Beatle mania called Sparrow Monium.