Song in my head July 22

July 22, 2005-Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll-Long John Baldry. You hear that title and you thing of the veteran British (Est Canadian roots 1980) Bluesman, who sadly passed away Thursday night at the age of 64. Baldry's storied history reads like a who's who of the Kings of Rock and Roll, contemporary of Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Elton John to drop only a few names, Baldry's raw Blues sound set the stage for the British Invasion of the early sixties.

He had a distinctive rasp to his voice and stayed true to his musical roots throughout his career, a wild ride which took him to the farthest corners of the world, but led him to Canada's West Coast. Baldry is credited with influencing an entire generation of British musicians who were part of the burgeoning Blues rock scene of London in the early sixties. He recorded over 40 albums but had few pop hits over his years. His first was in 1967 with Let the Heartaches Begin, from then cover versions of You've lost that Loving Feeling and Come and Get Your Love would find chart success but his Boogie Woogie tale of arrest by London police while playing guitar became basically his signature song.

And while the United Kingdom can claim him as a British original, they for the most part seemed to forget about him as the seventies began, Canada has just as much claim to his talents as well having enjoyed his music and sense of life since he took out his citizenship. Baldry long toured the country from sea to sea, recorded for a Canadian label and was an influential mentor in the Vancouver Music scene for years, Vancouver has always had a rather strong Blues community and it certainly was made stronger by Baldry's presence over the years.

Don't Lay No Boogie Woogie down on the King of Rock and Roll is a wild ride of a story, told by a fellow who lived his 64 years to their fullest. When you listen to it, the song captures an illusion of good times, lived by a great guy filled with fabulous stories. And while it may be one of his less than classic tunes, it will probably be the one many casual music fans remember him by, but perhaps we can take some time to go through the Baldry library for a few more samples of his talents.

There will be many tributes to Long John Baldry over the next few days, as the giants of the music industry nod their heads towards an original pioneer. Canada was fortunate to have him homestead hear for the last 24 years, our music and society were richer for his involvement.