<back - WHISKEY HOWL - The First Year/1969-1970 - Whiskey Howl exploded into the world on July 5/1969. The original members were guitarist Peter Boyko (23), drummer Ron Sullivan (19), Blues harmonica John Bjarnason (20), bass guitarist Gary Penner (19) and lead singer/writer John Whitmer (18). Whiskey Howl was signed  to the Fredrick Lewis Agency. Their first gig was the Night Owl Cafe, in Toronto, July 28/1969.

Their next gig was a huge vote of confidence, opening for Led Zeppelin along with Edward Bear at the 'Rock Pile' (Toronto's Yonge St. Masonic Temple) on Zeppelin's first tour. Their next booking was a weekend gig in August, opening for the McKenna-Mendelson Mainline, again at the 'Rock Pile'. Admission was $2.25. Wayne Wilson (20), replaced Ron Sullivan on drums and the band's first gig together was at Varsity Stadium on September 13/1969 where Whiskey Howl played an opening set, then backed up British rocker Screaming Lord Sutch. A gig at the 'Hawk's Nest' followed and on Saturday September 27/1969, the band opened for The Paul Butterfield Blues Band at York University. On October 3, Whiskey Howl opened for Johnny Winter at Massey Hall. November 5 held a taping for music producer David Acomba's 'Rock 1' TV special for CBC, performing their own set in addition to backing up Big Mama Thornton. The show was broadcast January 11/970. January 8-11/1970, Whiskey Howl opened up for Jazz drummer Elvin Jones at the Toronto Jazz club 'Matt Muldoon's'. January 25, the band played with Chuck Berry for two shows at University of Toronto's Convocation Hall. A month later on February 23, Richard Flohil produced the 'Blue Monday' concert event at Massey Hall. Whiskey Howl was on the concert bill along with Bobby Blue Bland, Buddy Guy and the last public appearance of Lonnie Johnson. March 26 brought the band together with Canned Heat, Small Faces, Amboy Dukes, The Zombies, Brian Auger and The Trinity, performing at the Toronto Rock Festival at Varsity Arena. The festival was followed by a live, coast-to-coast performance at the Timmy Easter Seal radio show for the CBC. April 1970 brought Whiskey Howl to the Toronto Sound Recording Studio for their first studio recording session. That summer saw the band playing with musical greats such as BB King, in addition to touring every University campus in Southern Ontario. It was evident that Whiskey Howl had a huge future before them.  MP3- Ways to Heaven | Factory Slug | Mellow Down Easy | Wang Dang Doodle |