Under my thumb, a green tea encounter and some serious rock and roll My recolection of StreetHeart
On a quiet afternoon in Chinatown, while perusing dinner ingredients, a serendipitous encounter unfolded. A slender, blond-haired gentleman, puzzled between two soy sauce bottles, caught my attention. I glanced next to him and suggested "May as well take both, I'm sure they won't go to waste".
He, smiled and inquired if we knew each other. With a gentle smile, I recognized him as Kenny, familiar to many yet unacquainted with me. His chuckle led to an invitation for green tea, which he graciously accepted.
Our conversation, devoid of music or art, was a refreshing dive into simple, unfiltered human interaction of random individuals in a rapidly moving world. It was a brief, yet heartwarming exchange, unbeknownst to me at the time, a precious memory with Kenny Shields that would linger long after his passing.
My initial encounter with Streetheart's dynamic presence was at the University of Manitoba, where they performed to a packed auditorium. Kenny Shields, the band's spirited frontman, captivated the audience with his distinct vocal style, complemented by the high-energy music. During that time, I became an ardent follower, frequently attending their shows. Their records were a constant on my turntable, barely getting a moment's rest.
Streetheart, a Canadian rock band from Regina, Saskatchewan, and later based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, made a significant mark in the rock music scene, particularly in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band was originally formed as Witness Inc. by keyboard player Daryl Gutheil and bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve. They were later joined by vocalist Kenny Shields, which led to the band being renamed Streetheart in 1977 with the addition of guitarist Paul Dean and drummer Matt Frenette.
Their debut album "Meanwhile Back in Paris..." was released in 1978, followed by "Under Heaven Over Hell" in 1979. Streetheart's version of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb" became a popular single in 1979 and achieved gold single status in Canada. Their notable works also include albums like "Quicksand Shoes" (1980), "Drugstore Dancer" (1980), "Action: Best of Streetheart" (1981), "Streetheart" (1982), "Dancing with Danger" (1983), and the live album "Live After Dark" (1983). The band earned six gold and four platinum albums in Canada.
Streetheart's success was acknowledged with awards, including a Juno Award for "Most Promising Group of the Year" in 1980, Ampex Golden Reel Awards, a Chimo Award from Music Express Magazine, and a place in the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2003. They toured extensively with notable bands like Rush, Toronto, Harlequin, Max Webster, Aldo Nova, April Wine, Headpins, Sammy Hagar, Styx, Kansas, Blue Öyster Cult, and AC/DC.
Sadly, the band's journey saw a turning point with the passing of Kenny Shields in 2017 following heart surgery. Jeff Neill later announced in 2018 that Paul McNair would take over as the lead vocalist.
The band's discography includes seven studio albums, two live albums, seven compilation albums, and fourteen singles. Post-1980s, they continued to release compilation albums and retrospectives like "The Essentials" (2005), "...Read All About It - The Hits/Anthology" (2008), and "Life. Legacy. Music." (2019), along with a 40-year anniversary vinyl release in 2017