About Us

-From a Comment (Sept.30/10):  “Thank you so much! The whole site is not only filled with information It has a lot of the music we are trying to keep from disappearing. ” – Deb B.

Russ Strathdee and Gary Copeland

Russ is a composer, producer and saxophonist. His primary web site is: http://www.rstrathdee.com

Gary: Born May 27, 1940  ( Rick Nelson, also born May 1940, was one of my favourite artists).

Gary and his bike

I grew up in a small community called Newtonbrook, which became Willowdale, and now is North York, all part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  There where not many houses around when I was a kid, so I walked about 2 kms to school each day.  As the area grew, a new school called Lillian Street was opened just blocks from my home.  Well I was back on the Bus again, because my High School, Earl Haig Collegiate, was about 10 kms away (8 miles).  It was at this time, the birth of Rock and Roll, my love of music started.  My Dad also loved music, played a little guitar and bought 78′s of 12th Street Rag/Pee Wee Hunt, Spike Jones and his City Slickers and so on.

Gary Copeland (1964)

Russ and I ran in different circles at Earl Haig, he was the high flying sax player and 1 year older while I was a five chord wonder on the guitar.  I knew as soon as I heard Fat’s Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame” that I was hooked.  I ran dances. I love to Dance; I do not know where it comes from but I posses natural Rhythm (some white people do have rhythm and can dance).  My parents where great, we where far from wealthy, there were some lean years, so I always had a part time job.

My working career was in the Computer field/Sales and Marketing with about only about 6 companies over a 40 year period and I think very successfully.

I found Russ again in 2008 and we may not have been close in High School, but I think that we have a common interest “Music” and I think we like each other (he is a tough Boss).  My interest in Music has never waned, I have taken College Courses on the Birth of Rock and Roll, I have an extensive written Library on the subject (best books are the Norm N. Nite Rock On Series) and have been collecting Music on vinyl, tape, CD and DVD for about 56 years.  If I ever feel a little down, I just go to the basement, turn on the system and Crank it up and my troubles seem to go away, that includes my wife, she hates loud music.

The only reason that I put so much time into Russ’s Blog (you would not believe the time) is Russ; he talked me into it and we have become close friends while doing it and that I think I enjoy more.

Gary’s Update July 22, 2011…

My Blog partner Russ and I spend, literally Thousands of hours creating the Blog.  People have asked me, WHY?  Well in Russell’s case, it just keeps him off the street, and for me it’s who I am .  Really, we both do this because we are NOT in love with the music of today and we do not want people to forget about the incredible era that we grew up in.

I was encouraged by Russ to take on this project.  Well, it has been over 2 years now, and what a ride it has been.   I think we both enjoy it immensely and we have become very close friends because of this simple little Blog.  Not only Russ, but I have made some very good friends from the Blog, Misty (yes I know her real name, she was one of the first Go-Go Dancers in the Peppermint Lounge) in Florida, Marilyn in Washington State (the biggest Rick Nelson Fan I know) Gene Thomas in Texas (had top 40 hit in 61) Wally and Drew in Washington State, Adrian in France and the list goes on.  Although it probably has taken close to 2000 hours of my time over the past two years, I have enjoyed all of  it and will keep at it because,  We will not let the “Music Die”.

We Get Mail…

February 15, 2011

“I was thrilled to stumble onto this site. We were transferred to Houston in 1989 and because of our love for good live music, made the acquaintance with many of the area musicians. Gene Thomas, Roy Head, Kelley Schoppa, Ron Dickson and many more. Since retiring and returning to Texas have reconnected with Roy and Kelley. We would love to see Gene perform again.“  – Lynne and Ronnie .

September 30, 2010

“Thank you so much! The whole site is not only filled with information It has a lot of the music we are trying to keep from disappearing. ” – Deb B.

April 21, 2010

- From Russ’s dear drummer friend, Sonny Milne, who said,  “I can think of a few places this should be worn “…

May 30, 2011 – Dagwood’s regard for today’s music…

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August 12, 2011 – Dagwood starting to like today’s music?

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How dinosaurs became extinct:

The very first “senior moment”…

Russ and Gary watching the boat sail off