Bazil Donovan, Blue Rodeo

Blue Rodeo bassist Bazil Donovan talks about learning the ‘guitar boogie shuffle,’ growing up in the Junction, Tiny’s beeper leading to his first gig for $30, listening to/learning from/eventually opening for John Fogerty, cutting his teeth on the baptism/confirmation circuit, answering the famous ‘bassist wanted’ ad in NOW magazine, the bandname origin story transitioning from the The Hi-Fi's, playing 1st out of town gig in Kingston and meeting the boys from some band called The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie’s last time on stage sitting in with Blue Rodeo, the perception that all new Canadians receive a pair of hockey skates and a Blue Rodeo album, how he was NOT on Letterman but WAS on The Tonight Show [without Johnny!], the serendipity of Meryl Streep’s limo driver, unexpected fans both geographically [Norway!] and in Hollywood [Jill Hennessy!], great memories playing the Horseshoe, Ontario Place Forum, the Cameron House and Massey Hall, rolling out on another Blue Rodeo tour, and why he always has thought of himself as a rock ‘n roller playing in a country band!

TORONTO LEGENDS is hosted by Andrew Applebaum.

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Photo credit: Heather Pollock

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