Whiskey Howl
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Blues music |
Whiskey Howl was a Canadian blues ensemble based in Toronto, active mainly from 1969 until 1972, recognized as trailblazers of blues music within Canada.
History
- Whiskey Howl was renowned for their dynamic live performances, featuring lead vocals by Michael Pickett, an acclaimed harmonica player, and John Witmer, regarded as one of Canada's premier R&B vocalists.
Formed in 1969, the group swiftly gained recognition but dissolved shortly after releasing their debut album in 1972. The founding members consisted of John Witmer (vocals), Peter Boyko (guitar), Gary Penner (bass), John ("B.J.") Bjarnason (harmonica), and Ron Sullivan (drums). Early in their career, they supported prominent acts such as Led Zeppelin and performed alongside notable musicians including the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Lonnie Johnson.
Their meteoric rise was marked by an appearance at the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival—headlined by The Doors and famously documented on John Lennon’s Live Peace in Toronto 1969 album—while the band members were still in their late teens or early twenties.
Significant venues for the group included Convocation Hall, where they opened for Chuck Berry, and Massey Hall, supporting artists like Bobby "Blue" Bland, Buddy Guy, and Lonnie Johnson during his last public performance. Additionally, they participated in the 1970 Toronto Rock Festival alongside Canned Heat, Small Faces, The Zombies, and MC5.
By the time they recorded their initial album, the lineup had evolved to feature Richard Fruchtman (bass, vocals), Wayne Wilson (drums), Dave Morrison (guitar, vocals), Michael Pickett (harmonica, vocals), who replaced Bjarnason in 1970, and John Witmer (vocals). The album’s production was handled by Johnny Sandlin—known for his work with the Allman Brothers Band—and included Chuck Leavell on keyboards.
Following their disbandment in 1972, Whiskey Howl reunited occasionally. A notable reunion took place in 1981 at Toronto’s El Mocambo club, culminating in their second and final album. This formation brought together original members Witmer and Pickett with John Tilden (guitar), Rick Burkett (bass), Ed White (drums), John Johnson (tenor saxophone), Simon Wallis (baritone saxophone), and Dave Dunlop (trumpet).
Later activities
Michael Pickett and John Witmer continued to influence the Canadian blues scene significantly. Witmer served as the lead vocalist for the Downchild Blues Band between 1982 and 1986 and maintained a career as a professional musician until his passing in 2004. Pickett pursued a successful solo path marked by multiple accolades including three Maple Blues Awards for harmonica player of the year and receiving the 1999 "Blues With A Feeling Award," honoring his distinguished contributions to music.
Discography
- 1972 Whiskey Howl (Warner Bros. Records; reissued on CD in 2008 by Pacemaker)
- 1981 Live At The El Mocambo (credited as The Whiskey Howl Big Band; CD re-released in 2005 and again in 2009 by Solid Gold)