SUNNY DAYS: THE SKIP PROKOP STORY (PART 7 by Jaimie Vernon

Skip Prokop and his band The Paupers were on their way to the ‘big game’ when they had two back-to-back blows. Their appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967 was an unmitigated disaster and the band’s long-time Canadian manager, Bernie Finkelstein, left the group in the hands of U.S. Uber-manager Albert Grossman. Grossman wasn’t going to let these setbacks slow the band down. In fact, he had the guys become surrogate backing musicians for several artists in his illustrious music stable. This would prove to be the undoing of The Paupers as Skip found himself attracted to working with big name acts:

SUNNY DAYS: THE SKIP PROKOP STORY (PART 5) by Jaimie Vernon

Adam Mitchell was an integral new addition to The Paupers on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Bernie Finkelstein had come on board as manager and wasted no time getting the band signed to MGM Records stateside. It was a springboard for what was to come. Bernie wanted to showcase the band to their new American label. It meant heading to the USA.

Pat Blythe – There’s something about Maria…..

Several weeks ago I found out Maria Muldaur was performing at the venerable Hugh’s Room located in Toronto’s west end. I contacted Jane Harbury to see if it was possible to attend and photograph Maria (somehow I just can’t refer to her as Muldaur). It was a Richard Flohil event and through him I received permission.  (Thank you Jane and Richard).

Cameron Carpenter: The ABC’s Of Rock And Roll – Hall Of Fame

It’s that time of year again; let the debates begin as the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ready their class of 2013. There is no pleasing everyone and the HOF is no different. Now even calling it the “Rock And Roll” Hall of Fame is a bit of a stretch. My definition of rock is pretty narrow and would not include 90% of hip-hop, 99% of disco (I will give a pass to “I Was Made For Loving You” by Kiss), very little funk and almost no folk. Their definition seems to be constantly fluid and I can only agree or disagree with their choices by means of my own internal rock’n’roll barometer.