101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts

101 true stories to surprise and delight Canadian music fans.
Did you know that Serena Ryder played the quietest concert ever from the ocean floor during low tide at Fundy National Park? Or that “I’ll Never Smile Again,” the hit that launched Frank Sinatra’s career, was written by Toronto pianist Ruth Lowe? What about 12-year-old Liberty Silver singing in a reggae band that opened for Bob Marley at Madison Square Garden? Did you know that the title of the Tragically Hip’s 1991 album, Road Apples, is not talking about apples?
In 101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts, author and historian David McPherson shares these and 97 other tales gathered from his more than 25 years working in the music industry. Music lovers and trivia buffs alike will enjoy perusing this collection of stories — collected from coast to coast — to discover surprising facts and hilarious tales from Canada’s music industry.
“David has uncovered Canadian music stories that should be better known.”
— Alan Cross, broadcaster and writer“We Americans tend to think that virtually everything was made in America, but David McPherson’s “101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts” is a fantastic and informative reminder of how much music Canada and Canadians have contributed to the soundtrack of our lives. Dig in and you will learn a thing or two or 101 about everything and everyone from Alanis to Anka, Crowbar to Celine.”
— David Wild, Emmy Award nominated writer, author and music journalist
“Even if you think you know everything about your favorite Canadian songs and musicians, you’re going to be surprised and delighted by the facts McPherson digs up. Packed full of trivia, and written in a breezy but knowledgeable tone, this book is a must-read.”
— Annie Zaleski, music journalist/author (Duran Duran’s Rio, Pink: Raise Your Glass)
PRESS/INTERVIEWS
Lulu’s Roadhouse, Helix lead singer deemed ‘fascinating’ in local author’s music trivia book
TORONTO MIKE

Massey Hall (11/2/2021)
The fascinating story of Canada’s most revered concert hall and the myriad artists who have graced its stage.
Known for its intimacy and sense of occasion, a night at Toronto’s Massey Hall is magical for both audiences and performers. For many musicians, playing the Hall is the surest sign that they have made it. Looking out over the crowd, performers often comment on the intimacy of the venue and the sense of joining history as they stand on the stage where Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, and so many other legends have stood.
Based on scores of interviews and meticulous research, Massey Hall chronicles not only the historical and musical moments of the past century, but the community of artists and supporters that has built up around the hall over the years. Covering both emerging artists such as Shakura S’Aida and William Prince and musical giants from Nana Mouskouri to the Tragically Hip, this full colour book is a celebration of music, community, and our shared cultural heritage.
Massey Hall is one of the great iconic concert venues in the world for both classical and pop music. Now it has an iconic book to go with it.
Rufus Wainwright, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and composer
David covers all the familiar and magical ground I feel when I walk through those doors … it feels like I’m inside those walls again when it open this book.
Serena Ryder, JUNO-award winning singer-songwriter
David McPherson’s appropriate reverence for Toronto’s most enduring palace of musical art is abundant on every page of this lovingly crafted and impeccably researched book … I am so happy that David has created a living and tactile testament to a building that isn’t just a hall of music, it’s a hall of magic.
Paul Myers, author
The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History
Dundurn Press (2017)
OVERVIEW
AWARDS
Press
Jessica Rose, Hamilton Review of Books
Brad Wheeler, The Globe & Mail
Gabrielle Bossy, Spill Magazine
Liz Braun, The Toronto Sun
Interviews
MASSEY HALL
David McPherson: MASSEY HALL. S.6 Ep. 1243/23/2022
https://news.westernu.ca/2021/10/marking-the-magical-musical-moments-of-massey-hall/
https://soundcloud.com/billkingpiano/fyimusicnewsca-bill-king-with-author-david-macpherson
https://www.torontomike.com/2021/11/massey-hall-toronto-miked-podcast-episode-943/
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1971803715565
https://bonnparkpodcast.libsyn.com/109-david-mcpherson-1
https://www.canadianmusicianpodcast.com/episodes/massey-hall-john-muirhead
https://champlainsociety.utpjournals.press/podcast/wty/the-iconic-massey-hall-in-toronto
THE LEGENDARY HORSESHOE TAVERN: A COMPLETE HISTORY
https://countryfriedrock.org/legendary-horseshoe-tavern-2002/#.Xs2O7C3MyCU