Le Hibou Coffee House
Encyclopedia
Le Hibou Coffee House was an internationally known coffee house established in Ottawa
, Canada, operating from 1960 to 1975.
opened in 1969. Faulkner presented pocket experimental theater in French and English - some original works, poetry readings, chansonniers from Quebec
, the Maritime provinces
and France, children's programming, comedy, blues, jazz, rock
and folk
singing. His objective was to provide an environment that encouraged talent and at the same time groomed local audiences.
In 1965, Faulkner, along with friend and Ottawa architect Matt Stankovicz, selected and converted a larger site at 521 Sussex Drive
to what is now most popularly known as the location of Le Hibou. This heritage building was owned by the National Capital Commission
. Le Hibou was not independently wealthy and relied on the Ottawa community to be involved in the experiment. The National Capital Commission was a major contributor to the club through charging below market rent. The Commission's vision was linked to fostering the development of the Byward Market
as the hub of Ottawa night life. [citation required] Le Hibou and several original boutiques set the concept in motion. Stankovicz and Faulkner converted an unoccupied warehouse to a friendly cafe with high ceilings and excellent acoustics. They kept the original tin engraved ceilings and brick interior walls. They lined another wall with floor to ceiling roughly finished BC fir, which inhibited sound echo.
Another important contributor to the support of Le Hibou was the Canada Council for the Arts, which subsidized the seminal poetry reading series of Canadian poets. This programme was masterminded by poet Harry Howith
, a Le Hibou founding member. Lineups were blocks long, but the then Bank Street venue could only hold about 60 people.
Le Hibou relied primarily on admission charges to cover the costs of the theatre, comedy and music programmes, although some presentations were sponsored by the CBC (radio and television) - especially for local jazz groups. Posters advertising events were in themselves works of art - created by local established graphic artists at no charge. The famous owl logo was created by Frank Mayers. Other poster ads were frequently created by artists Chris Wells, the Rosewarns, David Sutherland
, Georges de Niverville, James Boyd
and Dennis Pike. Le Hibou served food during the day and, for after hours jazz programmes, both food and alcohol. Many Canadian and international folk
, blues and jazz artists developed their reputations through appearances at Le Hibou.
Much of the current press has forgotten the contribution that Faulkner made to the francophone community. Here is a sample of the eclectic mix. Now famous singer-song writers such as Renee Claude, Pauline Julien
, Edith Butler
, Claude Leveillee, Claude Gauthier
, Robert Charlebois
, Diane Dufresne
, Tex Lecor, Louise Forestier
appeared at Le Hibou. The French community was also exposed to the talents of French actors and directors. The well known theatre producer, long time artistic director of the National Arts Centre, Gilles Provost flexed his artistic muscle at Le Hibou both at the Bank and Sussex locations.
Another major contribution that le Hibou made was to the development of an informed film audience. Alan Knight
, brother-in-law of Denis Faulkner, a scholar in 18th century literature and longtime Le Hibou night supervisor provided weekly presentations of international films - both classic and modern series highlighting especially the development and growth of film. These films were not only rare, but rarely viewed in Canada at that time. (Alan Knight's mother was the book-keeper who kept Le Hibou's financial records straight especially ensuring unemployment insurance was paid-some local press states that people worked for a free lunch - regular staff were always paid, volunteers were rewarded).
The anglophone artists are elaborated on below by Joan
and John Russow who purchased Le Hibou from the Faulkners. Their line-up is the most accurate purview of a typical Le Hibou programme and they improved on the music tradition especially (Joan Russow an artist in her own right continued the tradition of artistic poster ads). In 1972, they sold Le Hibou to Pierre-Paul Lefreniere and Daphne Birks - Le Hibou went bankrupt in May 1975. The sixties were over for sure, and maybe the arts center now established was competing or maybe the new owners hadn't anticipated the effort it took to manage the hard work of the original concept - it wasn't anyone's conventional business model.
Dan Aykroyd
describes the influence of Le Hibou on his own career direction, particularly as related to the Blues Brothers, as follows:
From 1968 – 1972 Le Hibou was owned and operated by John and Joan Russow, personal friends of the Faulkners. From its inception, Le Hibou was run primarily for members and for performers as usual. When the Russows bought Le Hibou in 1968, they continued with the type of programming and artistic sensibility that had been established by Penny and Denis Faulkner. Many of the performers that had played during the first years of Le Hibou continued to play there when they ran Le Hibou. Every Monday night, there were Hootenannys with local performers, and every Friday and Saturday night, when there were no bands playing during the week, there were mostly local bands such as MRQ. The Upstairs was made available to local bands for rehearsal and for artists. There was also a health food restaurant which continued the tradition set up by the Faulkners.
Local performers, such as David Wiffen
, Bill Stevenson
, Bruce Cockburn
, Peter Hodgson
(Sneezy Waters), and others played solo for the week.
A former Le Hibou night supervisor with the Russows, Pierre-Paul Lafreniere, bought the club in 1972, and then Daphne Birks joined him as co-owner the following year. Peter Nichols
led the hootenanny and the after hours sessions featured Heavens Radio. A few performers mainly local from the Faulkner and Russow's time at the helm continued to be featured at the Hibou. Local folk performers such as Carson & Wheeler, Kevin Gillis
, Tom See, Robert Soucy
, Bob Stark, Ian Tamblyn
, Sandy Crawley and Peter Chapin were featured on stage. Most of these artists were groomed at the 'classical' Le Hibou via hootenanies.
The following performers appeared in the period 1972 to 1975 when owned by Pierre-Paul Lafreniere and Daphne Birks - some having appeared in previous iterations:
As for theatre the following plays were presented: Samuel Beckett
's Fin de Partie (The End Game), Arrabac's Fando And Lis and The First Communion, three scenes from works by Mrozek It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad Park
Magician Doug Henning
made some of his earliest appearances there, accompanied by John Mills-Cockell
At the time, Le Hibou was part of the fading coffeehouse circuit and hosted a few performers who were touring and needed a smaller venue. As always in Le Hibou history, the artist and the members were people to be treated with respect.
In 1973, Lafreniere provided space on the second floor for a group of visual artists and photographers. A fire had forced them to evacuate the Coon Hollow Studio, which was also on Sussex Drive. The artists in collaboration with Lafreniere established a new gallery and studio above the club and he named it the Sussex Annex Works or SAW Gallery. The gallery is still in operation today at the Arts Court building.
In the spring of 1975, Le Hibou closed its doors. Lafreniere held a series of farewell concerts, featuring a week hosted by Bruce Cockburn
with friends, and a week hosted by Sneezy Waters
with friends. Denis Faulkner, original founding owner-manager helped to raise funds to pay the unpaid back rent. Several other factors contributed to the club’s demise, including the lowering of the drinking age (no alcohol was sold at Le Hibou except for banquet licensed after hours jazz), the progressive National Arts Center programming, increased competition from a growing number of licensed small local musical venues, dramatic increases in fees related to bigger bands, and finally, pressures from the landlord - the National Capital Commission.
Since 2009, broadcaster Ken Rockburn
has been collecting material and conducting interviews for a book on the history of Le Hibou.
In 2009, a new "Café Le Hibou" opened up about 20 minutes away from Ottawa in Wakefield, Quebec
. The owners in tribute to Le Hibou have live performances on a weekly basis.
Singer songwriters and interpreters such as the above local musicians, as well as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morisson, Dr John the Night Tripper, Seals and Crofts, Don Cooper, Don Crawford, Keith Mckie, Dion Dimucci, Jerry Jeff Walker, Murray McLauglan, Tim Hardin, Dave Van Ronk, Tom Rush, Al Kooper, Corky Lang, Jonathan Edwards, Paul Siebel, Erik Anderson, Shawn Phillips, Rambling Jack Elliot, Spider John Koerner, Rosewood Daydream, Breakfast and others and others;
Jazz – Lenny Breau, Larry Coryell and Miroslav Vitus, Coleen Peterson, [they had booked Miles Davis but at the last minute he cancelled his Easter tour]
Blues: Sonny Terry
and Brownie McGhee
, Taj Majal, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Lucille Spann, James Cotton, T-Bone Walker, Howling wolf, and many others.
Note from LameBuffalo: As well as many of the bands already mentioned, I saw McKenna Mendleson Mainline, one of Toronto's premier blues bands, at Le Hibou. Come guys, how could you forget that? I also saw Energy, a three-piece hard rock group before hard rock was even a phrase. I couldn't believe how only three guys could fill the soundscape like that back then... Of course by today's standards, that's another story. I think Energy was from Toronto too - they weren't an Ottawa band, I know that. I hope there are others out there that will confirm my entry.
Groups: the collectors, Kensington Market, Syrinx, Five man Electrical
Band, Mendelson Jo, Sorry Muthas, The Times Square Two
and others
Bruce Cockburn organized a week, Bruce Cockburn and his Musical Friends, for the Russows to help them pay for their move out west.
Joan and John Russow, subsequent owners from 1968 to 1972.
This list is provided by founding owner-manager of Le Hibou, Denis Faulkner, trying to address some of the omissions in the subsequent lists found all over the Web, some provided by Dan Aykroyd and some of unknown origin:
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, operating from 1960 to 1975.
History
Denis Faulkner, an Ottawa francophone, was the founding owner manager from 1960 to 1968. It was during this period that Le Hibou became established as a now famous embryo of the arts. There was no arts centre at that time in the capital city. The National Arts CentreNational Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a centre for the performing arts located in Ottawa, Ontario, between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal...
opened in 1969. Faulkner presented pocket experimental theater in French and English - some original works, poetry readings, chansonniers from Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, the Maritime provinces
Maritimes
The Maritime provinces, also called the Maritimes or the Canadian Maritimes, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. On the Atlantic coast, the Maritimes are a subregion of Atlantic Canada, which also includes the...
and France, children's programming, comedy, blues, jazz, 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...
and folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singing. His objective was to provide an environment that encouraged talent and at the same time groomed local audiences.
In 1965, Faulkner, along with friend and Ottawa architect Matt Stankovicz, selected and converted a larger site at 521 Sussex Drive
Sussex Drive
Sussex Drive is a major street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and one of the city's major ceremonial and institutional routes....
to what is now most popularly known as the location of Le Hibou. This heritage building was owned by the National Capital Commission
National Capital Commission
The National Capital Commission , is a Canadian Crown corporation that administers the federally owned lands and buildings in Canada's National Capital Region, including Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec.The NCC was created in 1959, replacing the Federal District Commission , which had been...
. Le Hibou was not independently wealthy and relied on the Ottawa community to be involved in the experiment. The National Capital Commission was a major contributor to the club through charging below market rent. The Commission's vision was linked to fostering the development of the Byward Market
Byward Market
ByWard Market is a district in Lower Town located east of the government & business district, surrounding the market buildings and open-air market on George, York, ByWard and William Streets.The district is bordered on the west by Sussex Drive, on the...
as the hub of Ottawa night life. [citation required] Le Hibou and several original boutiques set the concept in motion. Stankovicz and Faulkner converted an unoccupied warehouse to a friendly cafe with high ceilings and excellent acoustics. They kept the original tin engraved ceilings and brick interior walls. They lined another wall with floor to ceiling roughly finished BC fir, which inhibited sound echo.
Another important contributor to the support of Le Hibou was the Canada Council for the Arts, which subsidized the seminal poetry reading series of Canadian poets. This programme was masterminded by poet Harry Howith
Harry Howith
- History :Born in Ontario, Harry Howith received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. He later became an English instructor at Centennial College, Toronto.-Bibliography:*Burglar Tools. Ottawa: Bytown, 1963....
, a Le Hibou founding member. Lineups were blocks long, but the then Bank Street venue could only hold about 60 people.
Le Hibou relied primarily on admission charges to cover the costs of the theatre, comedy and music programmes, although some presentations were sponsored by the CBC (radio and television) - especially for local jazz groups. Posters advertising events were in themselves works of art - created by local established graphic artists at no charge. The famous owl logo was created by Frank Mayers. Other poster ads were frequently created by artists Chris Wells, the Rosewarns, David Sutherland
David Sutherland
David Sutherland is an artist with DC Thomson, responsible for The Bash Street Kids , Dennis the Menace for The Beano, Fred's Bed and the second version of Jak for The Dandy in the early 2000s...
, Georges de Niverville, James Boyd
James Boyd
James Boyd , the son of a wealthy coal and oil family in Pennsylvania, was an American novelist.Boyd's parents, John Yeomans Boyd and Eleanor Gilmore Herr Boyd, were from North Carolina and he was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania...
and Dennis Pike. Le Hibou served food during the day and, for after hours jazz programmes, both food and alcohol. Many Canadian and international folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, blues and jazz artists developed their reputations through appearances at Le Hibou.
Much of the current press has forgotten the contribution that Faulkner made to the francophone community. Here is a sample of the eclectic mix. Now famous singer-song writers such as Renee Claude, Pauline Julien
Pauline Julien
Pauline Julien, CQ was a singer, songwriter, actress, feminist activist and Quebec sovereigntist.Born in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Julien was the companion of the poet and Québec provincial MLA Gérald Godin, another Trifluvian and sovereigntist. She also worked with Gilles Vigneault and recorded...
, Edith Butler
Édith Butler
Édith Butler O.C. is an Acadian singer-songwriter and folklorist. Her career began in the early 1960s with performances in Moncton, followed by national appearances on CBC Television's Singalong Jubilee.2003's Madame Butlerfly is her most recent studio recording.-Honours:*Butler was appointed an...
, Claude Leveillee, Claude Gauthier
Claude Gauthier (singer)
Claude Gauthier is a Quebec singer-songwriter and actor.-Biography:Gauthier grew up in a family that enjoyed and performed music. His father sang Sundays in the Catholic Mass and his mother played piano. Listening to the classic French singers of the time on radio, such as Edith Piaf and Charles...
, Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
, Diane Dufresne
Diane Dufresne
Diane Dufresne, CQ is a singer and painter, and has sung a number of classics of Quebec repertoire of popular songs....
, Tex Lecor, Louise Forestier
Louise Forestier
Louise Forestier is a singer, songwriter and actor.-Biography:Forestier was trained in acting at the National Theatre School in Montreal, but it was as a singer that she first became known in 1966, when she received the Renée Claude Trophy from Le Patriote, a boîte à chansons in east-end...
appeared at Le Hibou. The French community was also exposed to the talents of French actors and directors. The well known theatre producer, long time artistic director of the National Arts Centre, Gilles Provost flexed his artistic muscle at Le Hibou both at the Bank and Sussex locations.
Another major contribution that le Hibou made was to the development of an informed film audience. Alan Knight
Alan Knight
Alan Knight is the name of:*Alan Knight , Australian academic and professor of journalism and media studies*Alan Knight , English footballer, played a record number of games as goalkeeper for Portsmouth FC...
, brother-in-law of Denis Faulkner, a scholar in 18th century literature and longtime Le Hibou night supervisor provided weekly presentations of international films - both classic and modern series highlighting especially the development and growth of film. These films were not only rare, but rarely viewed in Canada at that time. (Alan Knight's mother was the book-keeper who kept Le Hibou's financial records straight especially ensuring unemployment insurance was paid-some local press states that people worked for a free lunch - regular staff were always paid, volunteers were rewarded).
The anglophone artists are elaborated on below by Joan
Joan Russow
Joan Elizabeth Russow is a Canadian peace activist and former national leader of the Green Party of Canada from 1997 to 2001.-Early career:...
and John Russow who purchased Le Hibou from the Faulkners. Their line-up is the most accurate purview of a typical Le Hibou programme and they improved on the music tradition especially (Joan Russow an artist in her own right continued the tradition of artistic poster ads). In 1972, they sold Le Hibou to Pierre-Paul Lefreniere and Daphne Birks - Le Hibou went bankrupt in May 1975. The sixties were over for sure, and maybe the arts center now established was competing or maybe the new owners hadn't anticipated the effort it took to manage the hard work of the original concept - it wasn't anyone's conventional business model.
Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd
Daniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd, CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.-Early...
describes the influence of Le Hibou on his own career direction, particularly as related to the Blues Brothers, as follows:
- "So I grew up (in Ottawa), in this capital city. My parents used to work for the government, and I went to elementary school, high school, and the university in the city. And there was a place on Sussex Drive (Sussex Drive is where the Prime Minister’s house is, right below Parliament HillParliament HillParliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
), and there was a little club there called Le Hibou, which in French means 'the owl'. And it was run by a gentleman named Harvey GlattHarvey GlattHarvey Glatt is a notable and award-winning Canadian music promoter, manager, broadcaster, record and instrument retailer, and record label owner.- History :...
, and he brought every, and I mean every blues star that you or I would ever have wanted to have seen through Ottawa in the late 50s, well I guess more late 60s sort of, in around the Newport jazz rediscovery. I was going to Le Hibou and hearing James CottonJames CottonJames 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:...
, Otis SpannOtis SpannOtis Spann was an American blues musician, who many consider the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Spann became known for his distinct piano style....
, Pinetop PerkinsPinetop PerkinsJoseph William Perkins , known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music...
, and Muddy WatersMuddy WatersMcKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
. I actually jammed behind Muddy Waters. S. P. Leary left the drum kit one night, and Muddy said 'anybody out there play drums? I don’t have a drummer.' And I walked on stage and we started, I don’t know, Little Red RoosterLittle Red Rooster"Little Red Rooster" is a song that is a classic of the blues. Howlin' Wolf recorded "The Red Rooster" in 1961, a song credited to blues arranger and songwriter Willie Dixon, although earlier songs have been cited as inspiration...
, something. He said 'keep that beat going, you make Muddy feel good.' And I heard Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Burnett). Many, many times I saw Howlin’ Wolf. And of course Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
, Buddy Guy and Junior WellsJunior WellsJunior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
, Sonny TerrySonny TerrySaunders Terrell, better known as Sonny Terry was a blind American Piedmont blues musician. He was widely known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers, and imitations of trains and fox hunts.-Career:Terry was born in Greensboro, Georgia...
and Brownie McGheeBrownie McGheeWalter Brown McGhee was a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaborations with the harmonica player Sonny Terry.-Life and career:...
. So I was exposed to all of these players, playing there as part of this scene to service the academic community in Ottawa, a very well-educated community. Had I lived in a different town I don’t think that this would have happened, because it was just the confluence of educated government workers, and then also all the colleges in the area, Ottawa UniversityUniversity of OttawaThe University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, CarletonCarleton UniversityCarleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
, and all the schools—these people were interested in blues culture."
From 1968 – 1972 Le Hibou was owned and operated by John and Joan Russow, personal friends of the Faulkners. From its inception, Le Hibou was run primarily for members and for performers as usual. When the Russows bought Le Hibou in 1968, they continued with the type of programming and artistic sensibility that had been established by Penny and Denis Faulkner. Many of the performers that had played during the first years of Le Hibou continued to play there when they ran Le Hibou. Every Monday night, there were Hootenannys with local performers, and every Friday and Saturday night, when there were no bands playing during the week, there were mostly local bands such as MRQ. The Upstairs was made available to local bands for rehearsal and for artists. There was also a health food restaurant which continued the tradition set up by the Faulkners.
Local performers, such as David Wiffen
David Wiffen
David Wiffen is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter. Two of his songs, "Driving Wheel" and "More Often Than Not", have become cover standards.- Career :...
, Bill Stevenson
Bill Stevenson (Canadian musician)
Bill Stevenson is an award-winning Canadian blues and jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter, originally associated with the band Earth Opera, whose career in music has spanned over forty years.-Biography:...
, Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
, Peter Hodgson
Sneezy Waters
Sneezy Waters is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitar player who is best known for his portrayal of Hank Williams Sr. in the play and film The play portrays an 'imaginary concert' that the legendary US country singer might have given New Year's Eve 1952 in Canton, Ohio, had he not died en route...
(Sneezy Waters), and others played solo for the week.
A former Le Hibou night supervisor with the Russows, Pierre-Paul Lafreniere, bought the club in 1972, and then Daphne Birks joined him as co-owner the following year. Peter Nichols
Peter Nichols
Peter Nichols FRSL is an English writer of stage plays, film and television.Born in Bristol, England, he was educated at Bristol Grammar School, and served his compulsory National Service as a clerk in Calcutta and later in the Combined Services Entertainments Unit in Singapore where he...
led the hootenanny and the after hours sessions featured Heavens Radio. A few performers mainly local from the Faulkner and Russow's time at the helm continued to be featured at the Hibou. Local folk performers such as Carson & Wheeler, Kevin Gillis
Kevin Gillis
Kevin Gillis is Canadian Television producer, Writer, Singer-songwriter and former TV host mainly known for his work in animation. Gillis is famous for creating The Raccoons as well as other cartoons such as Atomic Betty and Producing Parker. He was also host of fitness show Yes You Can as well...
, Tom See, Robert Soucy
Robert Soucy
Robert Soucy is an American historian, specializing in French fascist movements between 1924 and 1939, French fascist intellectuals Maurice Barrès and Pierre Drieu La Rochelle, European fascism, twentieth century European intellectual history, and Marcel Proust's aesthetics of...
, Bob Stark, Ian Tamblyn
Ian Tamblyn
Ian Tamblyn in is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter and record producer, adventurer, and playwright.-Music career:...
, Sandy Crawley and Peter Chapin were featured on stage. Most of these artists were groomed at the 'classical' Le Hibou via hootenanies.
The following performers appeared in the period 1972 to 1975 when owned by Pierre-Paul Lafreniere and Daphne Birks - some having appeared in previous iterations:
- Folk – Christopher Kearny Folk Trio, Thom Roberts, Keith Sykes, Paul GeremiaPaul GeremiaPaul Geremia is an American blues singer and acoustic guitarist.Geremia recorded his first album in 1968, having been significantly influenced by both the rural blues tradition and the folk music revival of the 1960s...
, ValdyValdyPaul Valdemar Horsdal, CM , commonly known as Valdy, is a Canadian folk musician whose solo career began in the early 1970s. He is known for "Rock and Roll Song", his first mainstream single released in mid-1972 on Haida/A&M.He was a member of the London Town Criers during the 1960s and...
, The Good BrothersThe Good BrothersThe Good Brothers are a Canadian country, bluegrass and folk music group originating from Richmond Hill, Ontario. The band's core members are Brian Good , his twin brother Bruce Good and younger brother Larry Good ....
, Fergus, Fraser & DeboltFraser & DeBoltFraser & DeBolt were a Canadian folk duo, active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its members were Allan Fraser and Daisy DeBolt .-Career:Allan Fraser and Daisy DeBolt met at a workshop at the 1968 Mariposa Folk Festival...
, Beverly Glenn-Copeland - Québécois- Alexandre Zelkin, SyrinxSyrinxIn classical mythology, Syrinx was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous Greek god Pan, she ran to the river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when...
, Vos Voisins, Dionysos, Plouffe en Liberté; - Blues- T-Bone WalkerT-Bone WalkerAaron Thibeaux "T-Bone" Walker was a critically acclaimed American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who was one of the most influential pioneers and innovators of the jump blues and electric blues sound. He is the first musician recorded playing blues with the...
, Joe Mendelson, The Heavenly Blue, Shakey Al Blues And Boogie Band; - Rock – Taylor Dain, John Mills-CockellJohn Mills-CockellJohn Mills-Cockell is a Canadian composer in various media. He has created scores for Vancouver Playhouse, The National Arts Centre, Firehall Centre for the Arts, Citadel Theatre, Glasgow Museum of Art, and Phoenix Theatre. Past commissions include works for the National Ballet, Toronto Dance...
, James Leroy Group, The Rhythm Rockets; - World Music – Los Quinchimali, GeetanjaliGeetanjaliGeetanjali, in Bengali, literally "song-offerings", is a book of poems by the Nobel Prize winning poet Rabindranath Tagore. This term has come to signify a type of serenade to god....
, Supply Demand And Curv.
As for theatre the following plays were presented: Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
's Fin de Partie (The End Game), Arrabac's Fando And Lis and The First Communion, three scenes from works by Mrozek It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad Park
Magician Doug Henning
Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
made some of his earliest appearances there, accompanied by John Mills-Cockell
John Mills-Cockell
John Mills-Cockell is a Canadian composer in various media. He has created scores for Vancouver Playhouse, The National Arts Centre, Firehall Centre for the Arts, Citadel Theatre, Glasgow Museum of Art, and Phoenix Theatre. Past commissions include works for the National Ballet, Toronto Dance...
At the time, Le Hibou was part of the fading coffeehouse circuit and hosted a few performers who were touring and needed a smaller venue. As always in Le Hibou history, the artist and the members were people to be treated with respect.
In 1973, Lafreniere provided space on the second floor for a group of visual artists and photographers. A fire had forced them to evacuate the Coon Hollow Studio, which was also on Sussex Drive. The artists in collaboration with Lafreniere established a new gallery and studio above the club and he named it the Sussex Annex Works or SAW Gallery. The gallery is still in operation today at the Arts Court building.
In the spring of 1975, Le Hibou closed its doors. Lafreniere held a series of farewell concerts, featuring a week hosted by Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
with friends, and a week hosted by Sneezy Waters
Sneezy Waters
Sneezy Waters is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitar player who is best known for his portrayal of Hank Williams Sr. in the play and film The play portrays an 'imaginary concert' that the legendary US country singer might have given New Year's Eve 1952 in Canton, Ohio, had he not died en route...
with friends. Denis Faulkner, original founding owner-manager helped to raise funds to pay the unpaid back rent. Several other factors contributed to the club’s demise, including the lowering of the drinking age (no alcohol was sold at Le Hibou except for banquet licensed after hours jazz), the progressive National Arts Center programming, increased competition from a growing number of licensed small local musical venues, dramatic increases in fees related to bigger bands, and finally, pressures from the landlord - the National Capital Commission.
Since 2009, broadcaster Ken Rockburn
Ken Rockburn
Ken Rockburn is a Canadian radio and television journalist and host. He is most notable for his associations with the Canadian Cable Public Affairs Channel , the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and CHEZ-FM radio.-Career history:...
has been collecting material and conducting interviews for a book on the history of Le Hibou.
In 2009, a new "Café Le Hibou" opened up about 20 minutes away from Ottawa in Wakefield, Quebec
Wakefield, Quebec
Wakefield is a village on the western shore of the Gatineau River, at the confluence of the La Pêche River in the Outaouais region of Quebec. The village, named after the town of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, is now the southern edge of the municipality of La Pêche, and was founded in 1830...
. The owners in tribute to Le Hibou have live performances on a weekly basis.
Performers
The following performers performed at Le Hibou during the 1968- 1972 period, and some of these appeared from 1960 to 1968 as well:Singer songwriters and interpreters such as the above local musicians, as well as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morisson, Dr John the Night Tripper, Seals and Crofts, Don Cooper, Don Crawford, Keith Mckie, Dion Dimucci, Jerry Jeff Walker, Murray McLauglan, Tim Hardin, Dave Van Ronk, Tom Rush, Al Kooper, Corky Lang, Jonathan Edwards, Paul Siebel, Erik Anderson, Shawn Phillips, Rambling Jack Elliot, Spider John Koerner, Rosewood Daydream, Breakfast and others and others;
Jazz – Lenny Breau, Larry Coryell and Miroslav Vitus, Coleen Peterson, [they had booked Miles Davis but at the last minute he cancelled his Easter tour]
Blues: Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry
Saunders Terrell, better known as Sonny Terry was a blind American Piedmont blues musician. He was widely known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers, and imitations of trains and fox hunts.-Career:Terry was born in Greensboro, Georgia...
and Brownie McGhee
Brownie McGhee
Walter Brown McGhee was a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaborations with the harmonica player Sonny Terry.-Life and career:...
, Taj Majal, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Lucille Spann, James Cotton, T-Bone Walker, Howling wolf, and many others.
Note from LameBuffalo: As well as many of the bands already mentioned, I saw McKenna Mendleson Mainline, one of Toronto's premier blues bands, at Le Hibou. Come guys, how could you forget that? I also saw Energy, a three-piece hard rock group before hard rock was even a phrase. I couldn't believe how only three guys could fill the soundscape like that back then... Of course by today's standards, that's another story. I think Energy was from Toronto too - they weren't an Ottawa band, I know that. I hope there are others out there that will confirm my entry.
Groups: the collectors, Kensington Market, Syrinx, Five man Electrical
Band, Mendelson Jo, Sorry Muthas, The Times Square Two
The Times Square Two
The Times Square Two was an extremely eccentric 2-man act of music, comedy, acting and juggling.Their performance of "I've Got a Funny Feeling for Ophelia" on the Dean Martin Summer Show starring The Golddiggers, Joey Heatherton and Frank Sinatra, Jr...
and others
Bruce Cockburn organized a week, Bruce Cockburn and his Musical Friends, for the Russows to help them pay for their move out west.
Some of the artists who appeared at Le Hibou
Denis Faulkner, founding owner-manager of Le Hibou, 1960–1968.Joan and John Russow, subsequent owners from 1968 to 1972.
This list is provided by founding owner-manager of Le Hibou, Denis Faulkner, trying to address some of the omissions in the subsequent lists found all over the Web, some provided by Dan Aykroyd and some of unknown origin:
- Renée Claude (chansonnier)
- Pauline JulienPauline JulienPauline Julien, CQ was a singer, songwriter, actress, feminist activist and Quebec sovereigntist.Born in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Julien was the companion of the poet and Québec provincial MLA Gérald Godin, another Trifluvian and sovereigntist. She also worked with Gilles Vigneault and recorded...
(chansonnier), - Louise ForestierLouise ForestierLouise Forestier is a singer, songwriter and actor.-Biography:Forestier was trained in acting at the National Theatre School in Montreal, but it was as a singer that she first became known in 1966, when she received the Renée Claude Trophy from Le Patriote, a boîte à chansons in east-end...
(chansonnier), - Robert CharleboisRobert CharleboisRobert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
(chansonnier), - Edith ButlerÉdith ButlerÉdith Butler O.C. is an Acadian singer-songwriter and folklorist. Her career began in the early 1960s with performances in Moncton, followed by national appearances on CBC Television's Singalong Jubilee.2003's Madame Butlerfly is her most recent studio recording.-Honours:*Butler was appointed an...
(chansonnier), - Claude Leveillee (chansonnier),
- Claude GauthierClaude Gauthier (singer)Claude Gauthier is a Quebec singer-songwriter and actor.-Biography:Gauthier grew up in a family that enjoyed and performed music. His father sang Sundays in the Catholic Mass and his mother played piano. Listening to the classic French singers of the time on radio, such as Edith Piaf and Charles...
(chansonnier), - Stephan Gollman (chansonnier),
- Tex Lecor (chansonnier)],
- Raoul Roy (traditional Quebecois folklorist),
- Yvons Deschamps (comedian),
- Clemence Desrocher (chansonnier, comedian),
- Diane DufresneDiane DufresneDiane Dufresne, CQ is a singer and painter, and has sung a number of classics of Quebec repertoire of popular songs....
(chansonnier), - Gilbert Chenier (comedian),
- Ron Proby Jazz Quartet,
- Sadik Hakim Jazz Trio,
- Bill StevensonBill Stevenson (Canadian musician)Bill Stevenson is an award-winning Canadian blues and jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter, originally associated with the band Earth Opera, whose career in music has spanned over forty years.-Biography:...
(pianist - blues and jazz singer), - Brian BrownBrian BrownBrian Brown or Bryan Brown may refer to:* Brian E. Brown, deceased Los Angeles, California, USA police officer* Bryan Brown, Australian actor* Bryan D. Brown, US general* Brian Brown , Australian rules footballer...
(jazz pianist). - Archie SheppArchie SheppArchie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
, - Artists' Jazz Band
- Lenny BreauLenny BreauLeonard Harold "Lenny" Breau was a musician, guitar player, and music educator. He was known for blending many styles of music including: jazz, country, classical and flamenco guitar...
- Champ Champagne
- Tim Bond (director theatre),
- John PalmerJohn Palmer (director)John Palmer is a Canadian theatre and film director and playwright.Cofounder of several Toronto theatre companies in the 1970s, Palmer is primarily a theatre director, whose credits include the original production of Brad Fraser's Wolfboy which marked the first acting role for Keanu Reeves.He has...
(director theatre), - Luba GoyLuba Goy-Life and career:Goy was born in Haltern, Germany to Ukrainian parents and raised in Ottawa. They emigrated to Canada in 1951. She is a graduate of the Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, and later graduated from Canada's National Theatre School, before acting in theatre productions in...
(actor), - John Kehoe (actor),
- David BroadfootDavid BroadfootDavid Broadfoot GC was a Scottish seaman. He was awarded the George Cross for his role during the sinking of the Princess Victoria.He was born in Stranraer, Scotland and served in the merchant navy during World War II....
(comedian), - Scott and Bryant (comedians-film producers),
- Saul RubinekSaul RubinekSaul Rubinek is a Canadian actor, director, producer and playwright, known for his work in TV, film and the stage.-Early life:...
(actor), - Gilles Provost (director theatre),
- Bill Walthers (actor, professor),
- Bob Haines (actor, director, professor),
- Noreen YoungNoreen YoungNoreen Isabel Young, CM is a Canadian producer and puppeteer, and is still actively involved in the puppeteering business through her corporation, Noreen Young Productions....
(puppeteer - children's and adult content), - Penny Faulkner (original musical satires),
- Hedwidge and Jean HerbietJean HerbietJean Herbiet was born in Namur on December 16, 1930. He moved to Ottawa in 1958 after completing studies in administration at the Institut Polytechnique and in theatre at the Institut belge du théâtre in Brussels....
(actors-directors theatre), - Denis Faulkner (director theatre, TV producer)),
- Edgar Demers (director theatre, journalist),
- StanStan WhiteStan White may refer to:* Stan White , American football player- former Baltimore Colts linebacker* Stan White , American football player- former New York Giants quarterback...
and Huguette White (theatre), - Rich LittleRich LittleRichard Caruthers "Rich" Little is a Canadian-American impressionist and voice actor. He has long been known throughout the world as a top impersonator of famous people, resulting in his nickname, "The Man of a Thousand Voices"....
(comedian), - Gilbert Chenier (comedian),
- Yvon DeschampsYvon DeschampsYvon Deschamps, CQ is a Quebec author, actor, comedian and producer best known for his monologues. His social-commentary-tinged humour propelled him to prominence in Quebec popular culture in the 1970s and 1980s...
(comedian). - Clemence Desrocher (comedian, singer)
- Cedric SmithCedric SmithCedric Austen Bardell Smith was a British statistician and geneticist. Born in Leicester, he was educated at Wyggeston Boys' School until 1929 when the family moved to London. His education continued at Bec School, Tooting for three years then at University College School, London...
(folk singer, narrator), - Barry Baldaro (comedian)
- Mime from Ottawa University theatre groups and Montreal,
- Elizabeth Langley (modern dance-Martha Graham grad).
- Many art exhibits including linos by the Rosewarnes and photo works by Malak Karsh
- Many soap boxes including Harry Howith, Dale Robertson, John Donnolly.
- John Robert Columbo (poet),
- James Reany (poet),
- Raymond SousterRaymond SousterRaymond Holmes Souster, OC is a Canadian poet whose writing career spans almost 70 years. He has published more than 50 volumes of his own verse, and edited or co-edited a dozen volumes of others' poetry...
(poet), - Jacques GodboutJacques GodboutJacques Godbout, CQ is a Canadian novelist, essayist, children's writer, journalist, filmmaker and poet. By his own admission a bit of a dabbler , Godbout has become one of the most important writers of his generation, with a major influence on post-1960 Quebec intellectual life.-Biography:Born in...
(poet), - Louis DudekLouis DudekLouis Dudek, OC was a Canadian poet, academic, and publisher known for his role in defining Modernism in poetry, and for his literary criticism. He was the author of over two dozen books...
(poet), - Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
(poet, novelist at that time), - Earl Birney (poet),
- Gwendolyn MacEwan (poet),
- Bill HawkinsWilliam Hawkins (songwriter and poet)William Alfred Hawkins is a songwriter, poet, musician and journalist, most notable for his contributions in the 1960s to Canadian folk rock music and to Canadian poetry...
(poet). - Jesse Colin YoungJesse Colin YoungJesse Colin Young is an American singer / songwriter / folksinger and a founding member of the group The Youngbloods.-Early life:...
and the YoungbloodsThe YoungbloodsThe Youngbloods was an American folk rock band consisting of Jesse Colin Young , Jerry Corbitt , Lowell Levinger, nicknamed "Banana," , and Joe Bauer . Despite receiving critical acclaim, they never achieved widespread popularity. Their only U.S. Top 40 entry was "Get Together".-Background and...
(folk-rock band) - ValdyValdyPaul Valdemar Horsdal, CM , commonly known as Valdy, is a Canadian folk musician whose solo career began in the early 1970s. He is known for "Rock and Roll Song", his first mainstream single released in mid-1972 on Haida/A&M.He was a member of the London Town Criers during the 1960s and...
(singer-songwriter), - Peter HodgsonSneezy WatersSneezy Waters is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitar player who is best known for his portrayal of Hank Williams Sr. in the play and film The play portrays an 'imaginary concert' that the legendary US country singer might have given New Year's Eve 1952 in Canton, Ohio, had he not died en route...
(singer, actor), - Otis SpannOtis SpannOtis Spann was an American blues musician, who many consider the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Spann became known for his distinct piano style....
(blues), - Chuck Mitchel (folk),
- Joni Mitchel (singer-songwriter)
- Ramblin' Jack Elliot (folk),
- Amos Garret (singer-songwriter).
- Willy P. Bennett (singer song-writer),
- MandalaMandalaMaṇḍala is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". In the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form. The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point...
(rock band) - José FelicianoJosé FelicianoJosé Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".-Childhood:...
(singer song-writer), - Brent Titcombe (singer song-writer),
- Tom PaxtonTom PaxtonThomas Richard Paxton is an American folk singer and singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for over forty years...
(singer song-writer),
- The artists below appeared during the Faulkner and subsequently Russow period of Le Hibou history. John Russow was himself a jazz buff during his upbringing in Europe. It was during his ownership-management that greats like the Weather ReportWeather ReportWeather Report was an American jazz-rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Joe Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter...
, Elvin JonesElvin JonesElvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
, Paul Horn etc. came to Le Hibou.
- Eric AndersenEric AndersenEric Andersen is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:In the early 1960s, Eric Andersen was part of the Greenwich Village folk scene in New York...
- David Blue
- Lenny BreauLenny BreauLeonard Harold "Lenny" Breau was a musician, guitar player, and music educator. He was known for blending many styles of music including: jazz, country, classical and flamenco guitar...
- Len ChandlerLen ChandlerLen Hunt Chandler, Jr. , better known as Len Chandler, is a folk musician from Akron, Ohio.-Biography:He showed an early interest in music and began playing piano at age 8. Studying classical music in his early teens, he learned to play the oboe so he could join the high school band, and during...
- Robert CharleboisRobert CharleboisRobert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
- Bruce CockburnBruce CockburnBruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
- Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
- Larry CoryellLarry CoryellLarry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...
- James CottonJames CottonJames 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:...
- Paul GeremiaPaul GeremiaPaul Geremia is an American blues singer and acoustic guitarist.Geremia recorded his first album in 1968, having been significantly influenced by both the rural blues tradition and the folk music revival of the 1960s...
- Steve GoodmanSteve GoodmanSteve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
- Sonny GreenwichSonny GreenwichSonny Greenwich was born in Hamilton, Ontario on New Years Day of 1936. He is a Canadian Avant-garde jazz guitarist. He has played in major Canadian and American cities including a concert at Carnegie Hall. He has performed with such 'greats' as Charles Lloyd, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy...
- Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
- Dr. JohnDr. JohnMalcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. , better known by the stage name Dr. John , is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as Zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he came to wider...
- John Hammond Jr.John P. HammondJohn Paul Hammond is an American blues singer and guitarist. The son of record producer John H. Hammond, he is sometimes referred to as "John Hammond, Jr.".-Background:...
- Tim HardinTim HardinJames Timothy "Tim" Hardin was an American folk musician and composer. He wrote the Top 40 hits "If I Were a Carpenter", covered by, among others, Joan Baez, Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and Robert Plant, and "Reason to Believe", covered by many, including Rod Stewart, as well...
- Richie HavensRichie HavensRichard P. "Richie" Havens is an African American folk singer and guitarist. He is best known for his intense, rhythmic guitar style , soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, Havens was the eldest of nine children...
- Jake HolmesJake HolmesJake Holmes is an American singer-songwriter and jingle writer who began a recording career in the 1960s...
- Paul Horn
- Ian and SylviaIan and SylviaIan & Sylvia were a Canadian folk and country music duo which consisted of Ian and Sylvia Tyson, née Fricker. They began performing together in 1959, married in 1964, and divorced and stopped performing together in 1975.-Early lives:...
- Elvin JonesElvin JonesElvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
- Pauline JulienPauline JulienPauline Julien, CQ was a singer, songwriter, actress, feminist activist and Quebec sovereigntist.Born in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Julien was the companion of the poet and Québec provincial MLA Gérald Godin, another Trifluvian and sovereigntist. She also worked with Gilles Vigneault and recorded...
- B.B. King
- Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
- Gordon LightfootGordon LightfootGordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
- Taj MahalTaj Mahal (musician)Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
- Mahavishnu Orchestra
- Murray McLauchlanMurray McLauchlanMurray McLauchlan, CM is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player.-Biography:Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old...
- Joni MitchellJoni MitchellJoni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
- Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
- Charlie MusselwhiteCharlie MusselwhiteCharlie Musselwhite is an American electric blues harmonica player and bandleader, one of the non-black bluesmen who came to prominence in the early 1960s, along with Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield. Though he has often been identified as a "white bluesman", he claims Native American heritage...
- OdettaOdettaOdetta Holmes, known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals...
- Phil OchsPhil OchsPhilip David Ochs was an American protest singer and songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and haunting voice...
- Colleen PetersonColleen PetersonColleen Susan Peterson was a Canadian country and folk singer, who performed both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Quartette.-Career:...
- Pinetop PerkinsPinetop PerkinsJoseph William Perkins , known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music...
- John PrineJohn PrineJohn Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
- Tim RoseTim RoseTimothy Alan Patrick Rose , best known professionally as Tim Rose, was an American singer-songwriter, who spent much of his life in London, England and had more success in Europe than in his native country...
- Tom RushTom RushTom Rush is an American folk and blues singer, songwriter, musician and recording artist.- Life and career :Rush was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His father was a teacher at St. Paul's School, in Concord, New Hampshire. Tom began performing in 1961 while studying at Harvard University after...
- Buffy Sainte-MarieBuffy Sainte-MarieBuffy Sainte-Marie, OC is a Canadian Cree singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist. Throughout her career in all of these areas, her work has focused on issues of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Her singing and writing repertoire includes...
- Seals and CroftsSeals and CroftsSeals and Crofts is a band made up of Jim Seals and Dash Crofts . The soft rock duo was one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. They are best known for their hits "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond Girl"...
- Richard and Marie-Claire SéguinRichard SéguinRichard Séguin is a Canadian author, composer and singer.His music career began in the 1970s with the duo "Les Séguin", with his twin sister Marie-Claire. He has had a solo career since 1977....
- Archie SheppArchie SheppArchie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
- Otis SpannOtis SpannOtis Spann was an American blues musician, who many consider the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Spann became known for his distinct piano style....
- Sonny TerrySonny TerrySaunders Terrell, better known as Sonny Terry was a blind American Piedmont blues musician. He was widely known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers, and imitations of trains and fox hunts.-Career:Terry was born in Greensboro, Georgia...
& Brownie McGheeBrownie McGheeWalter Brown McGhee was a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaborations with the harmonica player Sonny Terry.-Life and career:... - The TravellersThe Travellers (band)For other meanings of the term see The Travellers For the American folk trio see Travelers 3The Travellers were a Canadian folk singing group which formed in the summer of 1953...
- Jerry Jeff WalkerJerry Jeff WalkerJerry Jeff Walker is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is probably most famous for writing the song "Mr. Bojangles.-Biography:...
- T-Bone WalkerT-Bone WalkerAaron Thibeaux "T-Bone" Walker was a critically acclaimed American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who was one of the most influential pioneers and innovators of the jump blues and electric blues sound. He is the first musician recorded playing blues with the...
- Muddy WatersMuddy WatersMcKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
- Weather ReportWeather ReportWeather Report was an American jazz-rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Joe Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter...
- Junior WellsJunior WellsJunior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
- David WiffenDavid WiffenDavid Wiffen is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter. Two of his songs, "Driving Wheel" and "More Often Than Not", have become cover standards.- Career :...
- Howlin' WolfHowlin' WolfChester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
- Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
- Child Band