Canadian Music Hall Of Fame guitarist...



...Domenic Troiano died Wednesday (5/25) at the age of 59 after a seven-month battle with prostate cancer.

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*For those of you who do not like to read long posts, please jump to the bottom where I have a special request.
Especially Canadian orgers.
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Some musical highlights...

* Replaced Robbie Robertson (The Band) as lead guitarist for Ronnie Hawkins

* Guitarist in The Five Rogues with George Olliver. The band was renamed...



...The Mandala and became a powerful soul-influenced act, known for their legendary live performances.
The Mandala had hits with "Opportunity" and "Love-itis" in 1967.


* After the break up of The Mandala, Troiano hooked up with singer Roy Kenner (replaced George Olliver as lead singer) and a couple of other ex-Mandala bandmates to record a jazz-influenced record under the moniker, Bush.



Troiano successfully sued the '90s British band featuring Gavin Rossdale, forcing them to temporarily be called Bush X in Canada. Eventually, he relented and gave them the copyright to the name.


* The guitarist joined...



...The James Gang in 1972, replacing Joe Walsh, and recorded two albums, Straight Shooter and Passin Thru.



Straight Shooter has some good tunes if you don't try to compare the material to the Joe Walsh era of the band.
One Way Street, Drifting Girl and the Mandala-like Everybody Needs A Hero.


* Troiano replaced Kurt Winter and Don MacDougall in...



...The Guess Who in 1974.
He recorded and co-wrote all of the music with Burton Cummings on the band's last two albums, Flavours and Power In The Music, the former included the hit single, Dancin' Fool.


* A series of solo releases...






* His other credits include playing on albums for/with Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Donald Fagen, David Clayton-Thomas, Etta James, Jean-Michel Jarre, Ronnie Hawkins, Three Dog Night, James Cotton and Long John Baldry.



Domenic shown here playing a Strat.

But was generally known...



...for playing a Tele like the one shown here from The Mandala days.

My initial contact with Domenic's work was via The Mandala who were in the states quite a bit during the mid 60s.

This is a good excuse to repost something I did on this group some time ago.

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Mandala Repost
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Anyone hip to The Mandala?



A '60s Canadian soul group.

I saw them perform at a Murray the "K" Easter show in 1967, at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre which also included:

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Wilson Pickett (Buddy Miles was his drummer at the time)
Cream
The Who
The Young Rascals
The Blues Project
Phil Ochs
Simon & Garfunkle
The Blues Magoos
Jan and Dean
The Guess Who
and others that I can't remember. All for about $3.50!

They were slick dressed...



...strict desciples of American soul and r&b music, playing well written originals as well as covers. Steve Paul's Scene was a club in NYC that they also performed at. This was a club frequented by many '60s rock performers where they'd jam together after hours (Hendrix, Clapton, Winter, etc.). I used to stand outside the club (too young to get in) and listen to The Mandala just killin' it inside.

Members included:
George Olliver - Lead Vocals
(later replaced by Roy Kenner in '66)

Dominic Troiano - Guitar
(Went on to replace Joe Walsh in The James Gang, Guess Who)

Josef Chirowski - B3
Don Elliott - Bass
Whitey Glann - Drums
(He had to sub for Wilson Pickett's drummer at the time, Buddy Miles, who missed one of the Murray the K performances. )

They had a couple of hits on the Canadian charts. Opportunity on the KR label was recorded at Chess studios and featured The Dells on background vocals and Give & Take.



Based on info from Phil Spector, Atlantic Records main man Ahmet Ertegun bought their contract and they recorded the Soul Crusade album with Roy Kenner on vocals.


(Soul Crusade cover)


(Soul Crusade inner cover)

Though the record received good reviews the group had broken up by the beginning of 1969. From what i've read they're still considered legends in the Toronto music scene. George Olliver still tours with his own group (George Olliver & Gangbuster).

You and me, and all of us, are lookin' for the key.
The Key that will open the door...to the World of Love
World of Love - Dominic Troiano

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* If any Canadian orgers run across any of these releases in good condition or on CD,...


Soul Crusade


Mandala Classics


The Best of Domenic Troiano: The Millenium Collection

...please orgnote me.
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tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

Domenic was a great musician. I was sad to hear of his death. I saw him perform several times during the 70's & 80's in local clubs around TO.

kisscamille said:

I'm glad you've heard of him and even more that you've heard him.

Please let me know if you run across any of those Mandala records.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

theAudience said:

It's been many years since I even thought about Domenic, but I was reminded of what a good musician he was when I heard of this death. I can vaguely remember seeing him at the Nags Head North in TO in the early 80's.