Figure 1.-- |
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A Canadian reader tells us about Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. In terms of pop culture, Canada was largely an extension of America.
Oh wow, I can't even think of where to begin on this subject.
One thing I do know that here in Canada or at least here in Montreal,
Black groups and musicians were more widely accepted and enjoyed by the
masses of music lovers. From the 1940s to the 1960s two of the hottest
clubs in Montreal to get into were mostly where Black musicians were
playing what much of America and some parts of Canada referred to as
that "Coloured music".
I got involved in the music business in 1969 at the height of the
"Hippie Movement" and can attest that the phrase "Sex, Drugs and Rock
and Roll" was very true. While involved I could not help but notice that
there were always plenty of young ladies who would do any thing with any
one to get in with a band.
Drugs of all types were like an epidemic in the way they were spread
around so openly. Yes I did my share until I straightened myself out in
1980. During that time I saw all types of people who the public would
not expect to be users doing drugs. Politicians, lawyers including
Prosecutors, and even cops in uniform.
One difference that I can attest to was the difference in police action
around rock clubs or shows. In Canada (Montreal) there were very few
shows or clubs where the police would try and keep a tight control
while at many clubs or events I was at in America there were always a
heavy police presence claiming they were there to keep a lid on things
but were also very intimidating.
In Canada I met many times with various rock entertainers both the
famous and the unknowns who were amazed at the openness of drug use and
I will always remember one guitarist from Texas who was in a panic over
seeing one joint being passed around because he claimed back home there
were judges ready to give life sentences to even first time offenders
caught with just one joint.
Honestly much of those years are just a blur of memories except for some
special moments that I will not talk about because of what might have
been happening or who was involved.
Another thing to think about was the attitude in the general public back
then compared to today. One story I will mention is something I would
not try today even if I was in my 20s again.
A band that had hired me to photograph in a club about 75 miles NE of
Montreal asked a favour if I can pick up one of their guitarist's
guitars that had been in for repairs and was not ready when they had to
leave. I went to the store and just mentioned who I was picking the
guitar up for and with out asking for any ID or for me to pay for the
repairs gave me the guitar. This was right after work on a Friday late
afternoon. I did not have a car and with all my camera equipment around
my neck and shoulders and the guitar, in a case, I hitch hiked all the
way there including the last driver who being French living away from
Montreal and did not speak a word of English insisted on firstly to
figure out which club I was going to because I had the English name of
the place while he knew it by the local French name for the club and
then drove me a good twenty miles out of his way to get me to the front
door of the club. All because he saw me as a part of the R&R culture and
wanted to help as much as he could.
Today if some one would try that even here in Canada there is a good
chance you would be robbed and possibly killed.
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