Join Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues at their live concert this Sunday
For over five decades the band Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues have been at the forefront of the Canadian Blues scene. Formed in Vancouver in 1978, the band became renowned for its hard-driving mix of swing, blues, r&b, and shades of rock ‘n roll.
The band found success at Friday night live broadcasts on Coop Radio and Rohan’s Rockpile in Kitsilano. The nights at the Spinning Wheel in Gastown, Vancouver, were also a jumpin’ with the blues.
The band pushed blues to the forefront with major airplay first on local rock radio and then across the nation coast to coast with hits such as “Doing It Right,” “Boppin With Blues,” “Hear That Guitar Ring,” “What’ve I Been Drinkin,” “Thirsty Ears,” and many more.
The Powder Blues recorded their first album Uncut in 1979 on Blue Wave Records. With the album’s rampant sales, it was re-released on RCA Records and went platinum, selling well over 200,000 units. As momentum built, the band started touring across Canada.
In 1983, the band travelled to Europe and played at the prestigious festivals Montreux Jazz and the North Sea. Live at Montreux was released on disc and the following year, it aired on CBC-TV. By 1985, five albums were released in Canada, the USA, England, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 1986 the band scooped a coveted W.C. Handy Award in Memphis for Best Foreign Band. Tours of the Soviet Union and constant touring in North America kept the band extremely busy well into the 90s.
Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues are playing at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, May 15 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. PST. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. PST. Advance tickets are $40 and cost $45 at the door. Tickets are available at www.riotheatretickets.ca
Opening the evening will be Harris and DeBray, well-known jazz & blues duo who have delivered music to some top-tier establishments for many years. As a four-piece, they are known as Lesismore.
Coop Radio is celebrating its 47th anniversary this month with Powder Blues who are celebrating their 44th anniversary – Grab a ticket and join us at The Rio on May 15 for “Doing It Right On The Wrong Side Of Town.”
More info is available at www.powderblues.net, www.harrisdebray.com, and CFRO FM, non-profit and independent radio in Vancouver at www.coopradio.org. Media contact: Paul Norton at paul@paulnorton.ca.
