At some point, every great band either breaks up or gives its fans a final farewell that fits its stature.
After 22 albums and spreading blues music for 55 years, Canada’s iconic Downchild Blues Band brings its farewell tour to the Arden Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 3.
This tour is a labour of love, celebrating a remarkable journey that has taken them around the world and established their name as one the country’s greatest live blues bands.
“The average age of the band is 67 years and for us touring is becoming gruelling. We’ve had 55 great years, but some of us are starting to have health problems. We hope to continue performing on some level, but with this tour we want to go out in style. We want to go out on a high note,” said lead singer Chuck Jackson, who performed with the band for 36 years.
Far from feeling down about retiring, he tells the story about the band performing at a small trading post on Hudson Bay celebrating its 300th anniversary.
“We added up all our years and together we were older than the trading post,” he said laughing.
In recalling some of the band’s travels, Jackson remembers the band was committed to performing at an outdoor driving range just outside Oshawa.
“It started to snow. Since nobody was there, we were going to cancel, but the manager told us to play and they will come. We went over to the stage and started playing. Sure enough, cars started pulling in and they lined up like at a drive-in movie. They had their windshield wipers on and after every song, instead of clapping they honked their horns.”
The band was founded in 1969 by Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh and his brother Richard “Hock” Walsh. It was named for Sonny Boy Williamson’s song Mr. Downchild.
In addition to Jackson, the current lineup features Donnie (guitar-harmonica), Jim Casson (drums), Pat Carey (tenor sax), Gary Kendall (bass), Tyler Yarema (keyboard) and Pete Jeffrey (trumpet).
Known for its infectious jump blues style, Jackson credits Donnie’s determination for taking blues to new heights in the late '60s and '70s, when rock was the dominant sound.
“He built a blues genre when rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who were big. He took a step in challenging the norm and the blues turned out to be great medicine for the heart and for the soul,” said Jackson.
He added the band owes a debt of gratitude to Dan Akyroyd, who included three Downchild songs from their 1973 album, Straight Up in the Blues Brothers’ 1978 album Briefcase Full of Blues — the propulsive songs “Flip Flop Fly,” “Shotgun Blues” and “I’ve Got Everything I Need (Almost)”.
Throughout its five-decade-plus time in the music industry, Downchild left a legacy of original music rooted in tradition. It shone a spotlight on the music of past greats such as Sonny Boy Williamson II, James Cotton and B.B. King to more than three generations of listeners.
Looking back on their travels, Jackson recalls the band opening for Joe Cocker and The Beach Boys. Another big highlight was their 40th anniversary playing with James Cotton. And in 1999, the band opened for B.B. King at Massey Hall.
“When I was growing up, I went to Massey Hall and to go backstage and meet B.B. King was so special. He was so warm and inviting.”
One of the band’s biggest thrills was their 50th anniversary where Akyroyd and Paul Shaffer, a Canadian singer, keyboardist and composer who served as David Letterman’s musical director, joined them onstage.
Jackson can’t help closing this chapter in his life with humour.
“We’re like the post office. Through rain, snow, sleet or hail we keep playing,” said Jackson. “We’re looking forward to playing in St. Albert. It’s been a while since we performed there and people have always been so kind to us.”
The Legendary Downchild Blues Farewell Tour is Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $60. Visit tickets.stalbert.ca or call 780-459-1542.