The music of Max Webster, led by the immutable Kim Mitchell, continues to resonate with Canadian rock fans. Author Bob Wegner, in his tribute book, highlights the band's journey from high school gymnasiums to iconic venues like Massey Hall and Maple Leaf Gardens.
A Musical Unicorn Discovered
Wegner recalls finding a concert recording from 1977 at a record swap, containing a song not on any Max Webster album. "It made me realize that there was a plethora of Max music yet to hear," he says. "It was the best $5 I've ever spent in 20 years of collecting music."
Enduring Hits and Heavy Touring
Propelled by hits like High Class in Borrowed Shoes and Paradise Skies, the band released seven albums between 1976 and 1981, earning six gold certifications and one platinum for A Million Vacations. They toured relentlessly, playing up to 250 dates a year, opening for rock giants such as BTO, Rush, Blondie, Ted Nugent, and Styx.
"Countless Canadians between the ages of 50 and 70 will tell you they saw Max play at their high school, a bar in the early days, a theatre like Massey Hall, or headlining a place like Maple Leaf Gardens at their peak," Wegner writes.
Lineup Inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame
The band's 2023 induction into Canada's Walk of Fame included Kim Mitchell, bassists Mike Tilka and Dave Myles, drummers Gary McCracken and Paul Kersey, and keyboardist Terry Watkinson. Their legacy remains a testament to Canadian rock history.
