“Bookends” A tribute to Simon and Garfunkel

Please be advised that due to Covid-19, The Historic Gayety Theatre has postponed the rest of the 2020 season out of an abundance of caution for its patrons, performers, and staff. Currently, all tickets will be honored at the later date. Hang onto the original ticket as it will be automatically transferred over to the new date. New event dates will be announced as soon as it is possible. Please follow The Historic Gayety Theatre newsletter, Facebook page, and website for updates. Contact the theatre directly at [email protected] or on their website: www.gayetytheatre.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Simon and Garfunkel are an icon of our musical times. Their music reflects social change, joy, introspection and vision for the future. Our show celebrates all of this as well as the evolution into some of Paul Simon’s own solo inspiration. All of this stems from the early demonstration of what was to come as outlined below. Please join us to reminisce, enjoy, and fan the fires of joy and hope for the future!

Bookends was the fourth studio album by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel. Produced by Paul Simon, Roy Halee and Art Garfunkel, the album was released on April 3, 1968, in the United States by Columbia Records. The duo had risen to fame two years prior with the albums Sounds of Silence and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme and the soundtrack album for the 1967 film The Graduate.

Bookends was a concept album that explores a life journey from childhood to old age. Side one of the album marks successive stages in life, the theme serving as bookends to the life cycle. Side two largely consists of unused material for The Graduate soundtrack. Simon’s lyrics concern youth, disillusionment, relationships, old age, and mortality. Much of the material was crafted alongside producer John Simon, who joined the recording when Paul Simon suffered from writer’s block. The album was recorded gradually over the period of a year, with production speeding up around the later months of 1967.

Who’s in the Band?

Don Owen: Don’s who has been a professional musician since 1968, was a regular on CBC television and radio with his trio Edward, Harding and McLean and recorded 4 LP’s. He opened concerts for Blood Sweat and Tears, The Guess Who, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Crystal, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and many more.

Bruce Longman: Bruce has been playing professionally for over 35 years and has performed in Japan and Europe as well as the United States. He was a member of the Juno nominated Johnny Max band, as well as many other successful groups. He is busy working seven to eight shows a week and has shared the stage with many notable names including Bobby Curtola and Downchilds, Chuck Jackson and Donny Walsh.

Bill Candy: Singer songwriter and accomplished guitarist Bill Candy has had a storied career in music with many of his original songs being picked up and recorded by well known artists such as Susan Aglukark. Bill was also a founding member of Edward, Harding and McLean along with Don Owen. Bill brings a combination of guitar and vocal mastery to the stage. His original arrangements of folk, jazz, country, blues and pop classics are both unique and refreshing – keeping the audience entertained for the entire performance

Bob DiSalle: Bob has been an internationally renown drummer for over 40 years. Bob has extensive experience in television, radio, film and theatre with some of his credits including appearances with Bruce Cockburn, a stint on Saturday Night Live, The Producers, Mama Mia, Cats and Hair. He has more than sixty albums to his credit having performed around the world.

Tom Leighton: Multi instrumentalist, and indefatigable, Tom Leighton brings sophisticated colours and novel arrangements to his music that few musicians can match – sometimes playing three instruments at the same time!

Troy Howard: Troy was born and raised in Cobourg, Ontario, who got his first drum set at fifteen years old. After making a stop at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario for three years (studying music of course!), Troy has retuned back to his hometown performing on acoustic/electric drums and hand percussion in various ensembles in Northumberland County ranging from rock, jazz, swing, country, and folk since 1996. He has also been teaching drums at the Long & McQuade Cobourg Music store since 2017.

Brian Ruddy: Brian has been a working musician for 35 years and highly in demand on the club scene in and around Ontario. Brian was a member of the Q107 Homegrown finalists “Jesus Murphy” and played at Kingswood at Canada’s Wonderland and has also shared the stage with notable names such as Mike Hall (Killer Dwarfs), Darren Smith (Harem Scarem, Juice, Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel) and Kenny Maclean (Platinum Blonde).