Dino Grandi - Then and Now

Dino Grandi is an entertainer. He sings and plays accordion and piano. I would say he is one of Toronto's treasures.

I had the pleasure (and honour) of being invited to play (sax) at Dino's special birthday last weekend.
My friend, John Dowson (aka "Johnny James"), was also there.

Now, Johnny and Dino go waaay back...

1958: St Joe Indiana - John Dowson (Johnny James) and Dino

Here are some photos that Johnny has been saving for all these years... from times when he and Dino played in the same band with Tommy Danton on Toronto's Yonge Street as well as many other places - this would be back in the late 50's.

The guys in the band at that time would be: Tommy Danton (singer, cocktail drums), Johnny James (bass), Dino Grandi (accordion), Ed Philp (sax)

1958 Cicero Illinois - Ed, Dino, Tommy, Johnny

1958 Decater, Illinois - Ed, Tommy, Johnny, Dino

1958: Chicago Illinois - Johnny James and Ed Philp

1958: Chicago - Dino and Ed Philp

1958 St. Joe, Indiana - Ed, Dino, Johnny, Tommy

1958 Indiana - Dino and Ed Philp

Dino and Susan Cook

1958 Chicago - Johnny James

Bal Tabiran Quebec City 1958

Chicago Illinois - Dino and Johnny (wearing crazy nose, etc.)

Miss Illinois with Johnny and Dino

!958 London & Hull

Carol Lee Hull 1958

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Dino Now...

Dino at his big birthday bash

Dino, the consummate Entertainer - what a treasure !

Happy Birthday, Dino!

Frank Calucci, Oscar Kay, Dino

Here's a video taken last Sunday afternoon. Dino came to Mastro's Italian Ristorante, assuming he was to do a gig, but SURPRISE - the "gig" was a big birthday party put on by one of his dear friends, Audrey.

Well, it didn't take much to get Dino up there to be part of the band that was assembled for the occasion. We all shook hands and played.

Willowdale's Ron (Wick) Drury - Richard Dowson

Howdy Russ

 

You might want to review this. My old buddy Patrick Folkes of Lion's Head Ontario sent me the information. Our old friend Ron (Wick) Drury of Bying Avenue, Willowdale headed west May 5, 1958. He intended to ride his horse to Vancouver - or at least somewhere in Alberta. I was supposed to go with him but ran out of money - and nerve.

 

All went according to plan until he met a little lady in Huntsville. The trip terminated there - the romance collapsed and he went on to Alberta by car.

 

Wick never worked in a factory again. His final job was his dream job. He took care of the team of horses at the Black Creek Pioneer Village. He is now retired and living in Elliot Lake, Ontario.

 

Between the trip with the horse and retirement he had a stint in the Canadian Army and worked for many years at a cattle company in Carstairs, Alberta.

 

Enjoy

 

Richard Dowson

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

 

 

(Click on photos below to magnify...)

 

 

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Vic Windsor & The Variety Kings

Willowdale hero John Dowson has honoured us with some vintage photos and commentary about one of the great bands to grace Toronto of the 50's with its presence... Vic Windsor and the Variety Kings, circa 1957.


Here's their business card.

"Here are pictures of the band. Vic Bono (Bob Boniface) was a rhythm guitar. We were playing at the Grange in Hamilton and at 12 AM we had to cart our stuff upstairs and play to 2 AM. Bono got pissed and could hardly make it up the stairs. When we opened up stairs he fell off the stage and passed out. Sunday we had a band practice and Vic fired Bono, I was rooming with Bono at his parents and I stayed in the band. Later Bono hocked his guitar ( Gibson) for a car payment and he never picked up the guitar."
- John

L-R: Bob Boniface, Gord Stewart, Vic Consantino, John Dowson

L-R: Vic Consantino, Gord Stewart, Bob Boniface, John Dowson