Max Webster
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Kim Mitchell |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Max Webster was a Canadian hard rock ensemble established in Toronto in 1972. The group garnered significant acclaim within Canada through multiple best-selling records and achieved moderate recognition in the UK before disbanding in 1981. The band's founder, Kim Mitchell, subsequently embarked on a prosperous solo career. In 2023, Max Webster received induction into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Biography
Initially formed as a trio in December 1972, the band consisted of guitarist and vocalist Kim Mitchell, bassist Mike Tilka, and drummer Phil Trudell. Before adopting the name Max Webster by early 1973, they briefly performed under the names Stinky and Special Delivery. The final name, coined by Tilka, was inspired by a song associated with Ben Webster.
The group expanded to four members in early 1973 with the addition of keyboardist Jim Bruton. Drummer Paul Kersey replaced Trudell in April 1973, and keyboardist Terry Watkinson took over from Bruton in February 1974. In 1975, they signed with SRO Management, and their debut self-titled album—co-produced by Terry Brown—was released in 1976. The band established a strong presence on Toronto’s bar circuit, known for their witty stage antics and varied setlists that combined original songs with covers of Jethro Tull and Frank Zappa. By 1976, the lineup of Mitchell, Tilka, Kersey, and Watkinson had composed over 50 original tracks.
Following a Canadian tour supporting Rush, drummer Kersey departed and was succeeded by Gary McCracken. After releasing their sophomore album, High Class in Borrowed Shoes (1977), Tilka left the band and was replaced by Dave Myles; however, Billy Sheehan contributed during pre-production while Tilka remained for live performances. Myles had previously collaborated with Mitchell and McCracken in earlier bands based in Sarnia.
Most of the band's material was co-written by Mitchell and lyricist Pye Dubois, beginning their partnership in Greece in 1972. Watkinson contributed between one and three songs per album, with McCracken and Myles also adding compositions over time.
Between the mid-1970s and early 1980s, Max Webster maintained an intense touring schedule—performing approximately 200 to 250 shows annually—across venues such as bars, schools, theaters, and arenas. They opened for prominent acts including Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Blondie, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, The Guess Who, Kansas, Ted Nugent, Rainbow, REO Speedwagon, Rush, among others. By 1978, they had become headliners in major Canadian cities but continued extensive tours supporting Rush internationally.
Their third studio effort, Mutiny Up My Sleeve (1978), was co-produced by the band alongside Terry Brown and former bassist Tilka—who assisted in completing the album after Brown's departure. The lineup of Mitchell, Watkinson, McCracken, and Myles remained intact for their fourth album A Million Vacations and the live recording Live Magnetic Air (both released in 1979), with Brown returning to produce the live album.
While their records were staples on Canadian FM radio, A Million Vacations yielded their first Canadian top 100 singles: "Let Go the Line" (No. 41), written and sung by Watkinson; "A Million Vacations" (No. 80), penned by McCracken/Dubois; and "Paradise Skies" (No. 21 Canada, No. 43 UK), composed by Mitchell/Dubois with vocals by Mitchell.
Max Webster expanded their international profile by touring the UK and Europe as Rush's opening act in 1979 and headlining shows at London's Marquee Club. However, Capitol Records' refusal to finance a subsequent European headline tour hindered their momentum. Upon returning to the UK more than a year later, poor ticket sales led to cancellations; only two support performances for Black Sabbath took place.
Prior to recording their fifth studio album Universal Juveniles (1980), Watkinson exited the band; recording proceeded as a trio supplemented by session musicians such as David Stone and Doug Riley. The track "Battle Scar" featured all three members of Rush collaborating with Max Webster—with Watkinson returning solely for this session.
Following the recording sessions, Myles left the group, leaving Mitchell and McCracken as principal members. Mitchell assembled a new touring lineup including Mike Gingrich on bass, Greg Chadd on keyboards, and Steve McMurray on guitar. Watkinson rejoined as a salaried touring member in December 1980. Despite these changes, Mitchell disbanded Max Webster after an April 16, 1981 performance supporting Rush in Memphis due to fatigue and insufficient label backing.
Legacy and reunions
Max Webster shared a strong connection with fellow Canadian rock group Rush. In 1978, Geddy Lee of Rush commended their instrumental skills and lyrical content.
Although Max Webster achieved considerable success within Canada, their international presence remained modest. Their single "Paradise Skies" reached number 43 on the UK singles chart, and in 1979 they appeared on Top of the Pops performing a pre-recorded piece from Abbey Road Studios. Kim Mitchell’s solo endeavors in the 1980s helped broaden their global audience.
Among significant career highlights were New Year's Eve concerts held at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens, where on December 31, 1980, Geddy Lee joined the band live on stage for the performance of "Battle Scar."
In 1990, Max Webster reunited for the Toronto Music Awards featuring the High Class in Borrowed Shoes lineup: Kim Mitchell, Terry Watkinson, Mike Tilka, and Gary McCracken. This was followed by a reunion tour during 1995–96, with Peter Fredette stepping in on bass in place of Tilka.
The lineup of Mitchell, Watkinson, Tilka, and McCracken performed once again on May 24, 2007, at the Q107 30th anniversary event in Toronto. During this concert, McCracken provided vocals for "A Million Vacations," while Fredette joined for "Battle Scar."
From April 2004 until August 2015, Kim Mitchell served as host of Q107's afternoon drive program (2–6 p.m.).
Throughout the 1990s, Watkinson and Tilka established Antlers, a band dedicated to performing Max Webster tracks alongside classic rock covers throughout southern Ontario for over twenty years.
Currently, Gary McCracken is involved in music education based in Sarnia, Ontario.
In England, Rock Candy Records re-released Max Webster’s first four albums.
In 2017, Anthem Records issued The Party, a comprehensive box set containing remastered albums (excluding Hot Spots and Overnight Sensation), previously unreleased live and studio recordings, as well as Kim Mitchell’s rare solo EP. The vinyl version includes additional materials such as a booklet, poster, and sticker.
Guitarist Paul Gilbert has acknowledged Mitchell’s album Universal Juveniles as a major influence on his playing style. Music critic Martin Popoff has described Max Webster as "the finest rock 'n' roll band that ever was."
On September 28, 2023, Max Webster was honored with induction into Canada's Walk of Fame at Massey Hall in Toronto. Present at the ceremony were the band's longest-serving members: Mitchell, Tilka, Kersey, Watkinson, McCracken, and Myles.
Band members
- Kim Mitchell – guitar, vocals (1972–1981, 1990, 1995–1996, 2007)
- Terry Watkinson – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals (1974–1980, 1980–1981, 1990, 1995–1996, 2007)
- Mike Tilka – bass, synthesizer, vocals (1972–1977, 1990, 2007)
- Gary McCracken – drums, percussion, vocals (1976–1981, 1990, 1995–1996, 2007)
- Dave Myles – bass, bass pedals, vocals (1977–1980)
- Paul Kersey – drums, percussion (1973–1976)
- Jim Bruton – keyboards (1973–1974)
- Phil Trudell – drums, percussion (1972–1973)
- David Stone – keyboards, synthesizer (1980)
- Mike Gingrich – bass, bass pedals, vocals (1980–1981)
- Steve McMurray – guitar (1980–1981; died 2014)
- Greg Chadd – keyboards, synthesizer (1980)
- Peter Fredette – bass, vocals (1995–1996)
- Billy Sheehan – bass (1977)
- Pye Dubois – lyrics (1973–1981, 1995–1996)
Timeline
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Studio albums
| Year | Album Title | Chart Rankings | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN | ||
| 1976 | Max Webster | 32 | Gold |
| 1977 | High Class in Borrowed Shoes | 44 | Gold |
| 1978 | Mutiny Up My Sleeve | 53 | Gold |
| 1979 | A Million Vacations | 13 | Platinum |
| 1980 | Universal Juveniles | 41 | Gold |
| 1981 | Diamonds Diamonds | 47 | Gold |
In 1979, Capitol-EMI Records issued Magnetic Air solely for the UK market to broaden the band's audience. This compilation featured live recordings from Live Magnetic Air alongside tracks from their first two albums, which had not been released in the UK before.
Live albums
| Year | Album Title | Chart Rankings | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN | ||
| 1979 | Live Magnetic Air | 17 | Gold |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Title | Chart Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| CAN | ||
| 1989 | The Best of Max Webster | – |
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Label / Catalog No. | Album Association | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1976 | "Blowing The Blues Away"
b/w "Hangover" |
Taurus TR 006 |
Max Webster (Taurus TR-101) (rereleased Anthem ANR-1-1006) |
- |
1977 | "Words To Words"
b/w "In Context Of The Moon" |
Anthem ANS-003 |
High Class In Borrowed Shoes (Anthem ANR-1-1007) |
- |
"Diamonds, Diamonds"
b/w "Rain Child" |
Anthem ANS-005 |
High Class In Borrowed Shoes (Anthem ANR-1-1007) |
- |
1979 | "Let Go The Line"
b/w "Moon Voices" |
39 |
Anthem ANS-012 |
rowspan=3 | A Million Vacations (Anthem ANR-1-1018) |
- |
"A Million Vacations"
b/w "Rascal Houdi" (withdrawn) |
Anthem ANS-013 (first pressing) |
- |
"A Million Vacations"
b/w "Night Flights" |
80 |
Anthem ANS-013 (reissue) |
- |
"Paradise Skies (live)"
b/w "Paradise Skies (studio)" |
Anthem ANS-014 promo only |
- |
"Paradise Skies (studio)"
b/w "In Context Of The Moon (live)" |
47 | 43 |
Anthem ANS-014 (reissue) |
A Million Vacations / Live Magnetic Air |
- |
"Blue River Liquor Shine (edit)"
b/w "Check" |
98 |
Anthem ANS-027 |
Universal Juveniles (Anthem ANR-1-1027) |
- | |||||||||||||
| "Night Flights (live)"
b/w "Hangover (live)" |
Anthem ANS-020 |
Live Magnetic Air (Anthem ANR-1-1019) |
- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hot Spots" (previously unreleased)
b/w "Battle Scar" (with Rush) |
Anthem ANS-037 |
Diamonds Diamonds / Universal Juveniles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Box Sets
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Party 1976–82 | CD/LP |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Max Webster
- Musical groups established in 1973
- Musical groups disbanded in 1981
- Rock bands from Toronto
- Canadian hard rock bands
- Canadian progressive rock bands
- Anthem Records artists
- 1973 establishments in Ontario
- 1981 disestablishments in Ontario
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981