McKenna Mendelson Mainline
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 in Toronto, Canada |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums |
McKenna Mendelson Mainline was a Canadian blues ensemble that produced four studio albums. They secured a contract with Liberty Records (United Artists) in the spring of 1969.
History
In May 1968, Toronto-based blues guitarist Mike McKenna (born April 15, 1946) placed an advertisement seeking fellow musicians. This led to a collaboration with acoustic blues performer Joe Mendelson (July 30, 1944 – February 7, 2023), which became the creative core of McKenna Mendelson Mainline.
Original band members
Tony Nolasco (born July 9, 1950), formerly of The Spassticks, joined the group alongside American bassist Timothy O'Leary, who exited within a month. The quartet was completed by Denny Gerrard (born February 27, 1948), ex-bassist of The Paupers. Their first public appearance occurred at Toronto's Night Owl club in August, where they also recorded demos that were later circulated as the bootleg album McKenna Mendelson Blues. Due to artistic disagreements, Gerrard left in early October and was succeeded by Mike Harrison (born November 1, 1948), previously with Canadian R&B outfit Grant Smith & The Power.
In November 1968, MMM served as the opening act for The Jeff Beck Group at Detroit's Grande Ballroom, receiving numerous standing ovations.
Early success in the UK
Contrary to the prevailing trend of British bands touring North America, MMM traveled to England in December 1968 to perform and pursue a major label deal. Their inaugural performance was at the Utrecht Pop Festival on December 27/28, occupying a prime slot formerly held by Jimi Hendrix and his band. MMM then toured various English clubs alongside groups such as The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Family, The Keef Hartley Band, Gun, and the newly formed Led Zeppelin.
After several negotiations, they secured a contract with Liberty/United Artists in spring 1969 and recorded their highest-selling album Stink in April. This album was subsequently reissued on CD.
Back to Canada
Homesickness coupled with internal tensions prompted their return to Canada by June 1969. Soon after Stink's release in July, Allied Records issued demo recordings from September 1968 under the title McKenna Mendelson Blues, making MMM the first Canadian major label act to have a bootleg album. In Europe and the UK, selections from Stink were featured on prominent blues compilations such as Liberty's Gutbucket (1969) and Son of Gutbucket (1969).
GRT signing and 1971 album
Following Stink and a brief hiatus, the group reassembled with Zeke Sheppard on bass and signed with Canada's GRT Records. In 1971, they recorded their second studio album, Canada Our Home and Native Land, in San Francisco. This record incorporated horn sections and was engineered by Fred Catero—renowned for his work with Bob Dylan and Santana—with production influenced by California's sound and Adam Mitchell of the Paupers. The supporting tour included stops in Australia.
The Mainline Bump 'n Grind Revue
Late in 1971 saw Zeke Sheppard's departure replaced by Ted Purdy on bass. In February 1972, the band captured a live performance at Toronto's Victory Theatre, a venue known for its vintage burlesque ambiance. The resulting album, The Mainline Bump 'n Grind Revue, underwent mixing at Moses Znaimer's Thunder Sound studios prior to his founding of CITY-TV. Recorded by Jay Messina and Jack Douglas utilizing New York City's Record Plant mobile studio—engineers later associated with John Lennon and Aerosmith—the session experienced border delays that limited soundcheck opportunities. Coupled with the band's intoxication during recording, this led to distorted individual instrument tracks; only the house stereo mix was usable. Extended post-production added studio overdubs including backing vocals and horns to enhance the live sound.
Despite these technical obstacles, the concert achieved minor cult status for its fusion of vigorous blues covers and performances by skilled striptease artists. The show paid homage to vaudeville burlesque traditions featuring a comedian MC and formal attire worn by band members. The 1972 revue is occasionally mistaken for a separate burlesque event held at Victory Theatre on New Year's Eve 1974, which was videotaped by TV Ontario but never released as an album.
Breakups and reunions
By June 1972, escalating conflicts between Mendelson and McKenna resulted in Mendelson's exit. The remaining members continued under the name "The Mainline," introducing emerging artist Rick James as his replacement. James later achieved platinum success with Motown and hits like "Super Freak," bringing a funk/R&B influence that diverged from the band's blues origins but attracted sizeable audiences at venues such as Carleton and Dalhousie Universities. The group eventually disbanded following James's departure; Tony Nolasco then pursued a record deal for James culminating in his 1978 debut album Come Get It!.
Mendelson embarked on a solo path signing with Taurus Records in 1975 to produce Sophisto with producer Adam Mitchell. Due to modest commercial results, this led to a reunion project involving Mendelson, McKenna, and Mitchell that yielded No Substitute, credited as "Mainline Featuring Joe Mendelson and Michael McKenna." Tensions marked these sessions and the album failed commercially, representing the final collaboration between Mendelson and McKenna.
Adopting the name Mendelson Joe, he continued his solo career with former MMM member Ted Purdy contributing as musician and co-producer on several early releases.
Mainline today
In the 1990s, The Mainline reunited sans Mendelson but including Mike McKenna (guitar/vocals), Tony Nolasco (drums/vocals), Mike Harrison (bass/vocals), Ted Purdy (acoustic guitar/vocals), and Bob Adams (harmonica). This lineup performed regularly into the early 2000s, culminating in a sold-out final concert at Toronto’s El Mocambo Tavern. This performance was issued by Bullseye Records as Last Show @ The Elmo. Their final appearance took place at Black Swan Tavern on April 25, 2009, commemorating McKenna’s four-and-a-half decades within Toronto’s music industry.
Mainline’s discography remains accessible on streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify.
Frank "Zeke" Sheppard passed away from lung cancer on October 10, 1997, aged 56.
Mike Harrison died on January 7, 2022, aged 74 after suffering a stroke late in 2021.
Mendelson Joe, having battled Parkinson’s Disease for five years, opted for assisted death on February 7, 2023, aged 78.
Discography
Albums
- 1969 Stink (Liberty/United Artists)
- 1969 McKenna Mendelson Mainline Blues (Paragon/Allied); reissued on CD in 1996 (Pacemaker Entertainment)
- 1971 Canada Our Home & Native Land (GRT Records); reissued on CD in 1996 (Pacemaker Entertainment)
- 1972 Mainline Bump 'n Grind Revue - Live at the Victory Theatre (GRT Records); reissued on CD in 1996 (Pacemaker Entertainment)
- 1975 No Substitute (Taurus Records); reissued on CD in 2017 (Pacemaker Entertainment)
- 2001 Last Show @ The Elmo (Bullseye Record)
Singles
- A: One Way Ticket / B: Beltmaker Liberty 1969
- A: Better Watch Out / B: She's Alright Liberty July 5, 1969
- A: She's Alright / B: Mainline Liberty 1969
- A: Don't Give Me No Goose For Christmas Grandma / B: Beltmaker Liberty December 1969
- A: Think I'm Losing My Marbles / B: Drive You Liberty May 1970
- A: Get Down To / B: Pedalictus Rag GRT Records 1971
- A: Ezmeralda / B: Game of Love GRT Records 1972
Notes
- "Why can't Toronto grasp Soul or anything else that's truly exceptional in today's music?". Article by Peter Goddard, Toronto Telegram "After Four" section, August 17, 1968
- "Denny Gerrard returns with MMM", Toronto Daily Star, August 10, 1968