During the height of the British Invasion led by the Beatles, Niagara rock bands were making a name for themselves with impressive performances and loyal followers.
Paul Muelli was one of those gaining attention in the local rock world and so it's fitting that he'll return to Thorold as a rock and roll component at this year's Canada Day weekend music festival.
Over the past two years, Blues on the Battlefield has grown with Thorold's stature in presenting that genre of music but in efforts to create a larger audience and expose music fans to a wider variety, this year the festival has been dubbed Rock'N Blues on the Battlefield.
Muelli is a natural addition because of his pioneering foray into the rock world in the late 60s and 70s, especially with the wildly popular band, Fat Rabbit. His current band is Fat Bottom Daddy, keeping the "Fat" in his musical legacy.
Listed on the event schedule as the Paul Muelli Band, he understands his name appeal to Thorold people after striking a chord when he tugged at the strings of nostalgia during his performance at the first ever 'Forever Friends Thorold Reunion' back in April.
In an interview with the Thorold News, Muelli, who now lives in Oakville, said, "I don't get home that often so it was great to be a part of the reunion."
And while music fans in Thorold of his age remember that golden age of Niagara rock, Muelli has not spent time living in the past.
"I've been making and writing music for nearly 50 years. I am passionate about the arts and have always kept my hand in music - I love it," he declared during the interview.
"I started in bands when I was just a kid and was on the road until my 30s. Catwalk was my last touring band and that lasted until 1984," he said.
Fat Rabbit still creates a stir when mentioned among the baby boomer generation. People here remember the lineup of Brian McIntosh on drums, replaced by Frank Musso when McIntosh became ill, Paul Lauzon on guitar, L.T. Lawson on bass and Muelli as keyboardist and singer.
They were among other notable groups of the day including: the Rack with Rick Leather and Bob Luciani, JR Flood with Neil Peart and Wally Tomczuk, Hush with Neil Peart, Harry McNulty, Bob Luciani, Brian Collins, and Paul Lauzon (who is still with the Howling Horns), the British Modbeats with Faser Loveman, the Brogues with Jim Ugulini and Bobby Morrison, The Kidds with Gary Storin and Roy Dickinson, and Bullrush with Paul Dickinson, Bobby Morrison, and Glen Gratto, just to name a few. Many of these artists still perform today.
"Yes, I spent seven years with Fat Rabbit," Muelli said. "But I've been performing with (drummer) Kenn Dick for about 20 years now and Ed Brown is the bass player with Fat Bottom Daddy."
"Southern rock has always been a favourite of ours. We've played at the Allman Brothers Museum in Georgia about five times," Meuelli revealed. "So the show will include originals, southern rock and some Van Morrison. We've also added some bluesy stuff lately."
Muelli has no problem with bringing back some memories. "If my name generates memories back home, that's great," he said.
In addition to Fat Bottom Daddy, the festival will include substantial classic rock contributions from local bands Vinyl Flux, Figure Four and Veranda Beach. And added to that is the world-renowned Steely Dan Tribute Band, from Toronto, Pretzel Logic.
The four-day music festival will run from Friday, June 28 until Monday, July 1 at the Battle of Beaverdams Park. Some of the world's best blues musicians will also take the stage during the weekend. Blues Music Award nominee for best rock/blues artist of the year JP Soars and the Red Hots will be joined by the Paul DesLauriers Band from Montreal, Brandon Santini from North Carolina, Matt Weidinger from Kitchener, and Andre Bisson and Harrison Kennedy, both of Hamilton. Laura Raine and the Caesers from Detroit will inject some Motown and soul into the weekend.
For complete lineup and schedule visit www.bluesonthebattlefield.com
If you want to know more about the early rock movement in Niagara check out the movie "The Big Story of Small Potatoes Niagara's Rock Music History 1964-1974," on Youtube.
SEE FAT BOTTOM DADDY PERFORM THEIR ORIGINAL TUNE HALLEY MOON
