I was halfway through 1986 when I discovered – entirely by accident – a comedic and cultural phenomenon that would make a profound impact on my life,… Read more “Canada 1986: Finding ‘The Follies’ and Relishing ‘The Revue’”

The “nice Canadians” stereotype has frequently made its way into pop culture over the years, both here at home and around the world. So it shouldn’t be… Read more “Canada 1986: Blowing The Lid Off ‘The Canadian Conspiracy’”

Since my longtime love of Canada’s national obsession, hockey, is now approaching the three-decade mark, it’s strange to think that there was a time in my life… Read more “Canada 1986: Mike McPhee’s Moment In Time”

As Cathy and I pack up our Christmas CDs and tapes (yes, tapes) for another year, it’s impossible for me to look back on the music that… Read more “Canada 1986: How “Miss Nancy” Shaped My Christmas Memories”

Canada, and several other parts of the world, are currently tiptoeing through that never-never-land between Christmas and New Year’s Day, when we’re not entirely sure whether to… Read more “Canada 1985: Unwrapping “The Raccoons””

Early in 1985, as my preteen brain continued to absorb a daily dose of the first wave of music videos, an innovator from the Toronto suburb of… Read more “Canada 1985: The Genius of Gowan (But You Can Call Him Larry)”

I didn’t live in a town with a movie theatre when I was growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, and since we didn’t even have video-rental… Read more “Canada 1985: Who Ya Gonna Call? Canadians!”

I may not actually be the best person to write these words, because I’m not a fan of The Tragically Hip and don’t own any of their… Read more “Canada Today: Gord Downie – From The Outside Looking ‘Hip’”

While I don’t endorse the jingoistic, heavy-handed nationalism that normally accompanies the celebration of, say, my country’s 150th birthday, I also don’t feel I should have to… Read more “Canada 1985: Tears Are Not Enough”

I thought I’d wrap up the “1984” section of this blog with three snapshots of the eclectic homegrown talent that was filling up my favourite radio stations,… Read more “My Canada 1984 Playlist: Slugs, Spoons, and a Suite”