Pat Blythe – Tom Petty, Burton Cummings, Scott Holt and Bill Durst…..

I open today’s column with great sadness. Tom Petty, a true rock ‘n’ roller and one of the most respected individuals in the music business today, as both as musician and a person, has died just days before his 67th birthday. Social media was on fire with the news, jumping the gun just a tad early (thanks CBS) but nonetheless, we instinctively knew in our hearts he wasn’t going to make it. I traversed the 70’s and 80’s with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, listening to and loving his work. Not your “classic” rocker, in both appearance and musically, but we all knew Petty was pure talent. The “humanness” of his lyrics, his way of combining them with a unique melody and his distinctive voice, touched a certain part of your psyche and drew you in. You stopped to listen. There will be so much written about him over the next few days and weeks I won’t drag it out here. Suffice to say this is one rocker I will truly miss. I send my condolences to his wife Dana York, his two daughters Adria and AnnaKim, his step-son Dylan and his extended family.

Nadia Elkharadly: Sometimes you need a woman’s touch

This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favourite local bands live for the first time in over a year.  Toronto’s own White Cowbell Oklahoma took the stage at Lee’s Palace for their CD release party, but there were a couple of new faces on stage.  The most notable new face was that of guitarist Joan Smith (from another awesome local band Little Foot Long Foot).  Now, a great musician joining a great band is always worth mentioning, but in this case the value is twofold.  Besides the fact that Smith is an incredible guitarist and singer, she also happens to be a woman.  This wouldn’t be noteworthy either, except I’ve always thought of White Cowbell Oklahoma as one of the, well, manliest band’s out there.