Share

cover art for 299 Queen Street West - The Much Music Documentary

Welcome To The Music

299 Queen Street West - The Much Music Documentary

The Canadian premiere of the Much Music documentary, "299 Queen Street West" occurred on Friday September 22nd. Hosts Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston had the opportunity to attend and meet some of the Much Music VJ's and musical guests. We spoke with:


  • Ed The Sock whose favourite memory was his time covering Woodstock 99
  • Steve Anthony who reminisced about his annual Christmas tree tosses
  • Monica Deol who spoke to us about meeting Tupac Shakur, doing Electric Circus live and sharing her success with her kids
  • Sook-Yin Lee remembered going bonkers with former Much Music VJ, Bradford How
  • Musician Andy Kim, also stopped to speak with us on the red carpet . He's responsible for hit songs such as Rock Me Gently and Baby I Love You. Don't miss his yearly Christmas Show fundraiser at Massey Hall
  • Denise Donlon proudest moment was helping Much Music be the first mainstream broadcaster to have a float at Pride Day! She also clarified that a Eubie Blake video was first video shown on Much Music


Thanks to Laurie Januska for the photos!



More episodes

View all episodes

  • Shawn Clarke

    42:00
    The episode began with a discussion between Gregg and Karim about their upcoming concert plans, expressing excitement for the various shows they have lined up. The duo then welcomed to the show Shawn Clarke. They engaged in a lively discussion about their favorite movies and music, with a focus on influential soundtracks and composers. Shawn Clarke delved into the musical influences that shaped his interest in acoustic music and guitar playing, citing artists such as Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, and Bob Dylan. They also shared their experiences with music during the pandemic, with Shawn Clarke and Gregg Tilston expressing their mutual appreciation for Britney Spears' "Toxic" and discussing the characteristics of a great pop song. During the discussion, Shawn Clarke shared the origin of the album title "Softer Scissors," revealing that it came from an auditory hallucination and a recording process using an eight-track cassette recorder. He also performed "Tall Trees" live, offering a personal and emotive rendition that captures the depth of his songwriting. Visit Shawn's website here: https://www.shawnwilliamclarke.com/Visit Shawn's Bandcamp here: https://shawnclarke.bandcamp.com/
  • Andy Kim and Rock Me Gently

    42:52
    Description:In this episode, we sit down with legendary musician Andy Kim for an insightful conversation about his life and career. Andy shares his thoughts on the importance of cherishing time with loved ones, living in the present moment, and not dwelling on missed opportunities. Episode Highlights:- Value of Time: Andy discusses the preciousness of time and the significance of living life to the fullest.- Journey from Montreal to New York: Hear about Andy's early life in Montreal and his bold move to New York City, driven by his passion for music.- Influence of the Brill Building: Discover how the iconic Brill Building shaped Andy's musical career.- Origins of "Rock Me Gently": Learn the fascinating story behind the creation of the hit song "Sugar Sugar" and its journey to commercial success.- Starting His Own Record Company: Andy shares the challenges he faced in the music industry and his decision to start his own record company to get his music heard.- Achieving Success: Listen to Andy recount how he took control of his career, leading to significant success on the Billboard charts and a resurgence in Canadian radio play.- Personal Stories and Reflections: Andy opens up about his family background, the role of faith in his life, and his encounters with music legends like John Lennon.Join us for this heartfelt episode as Andy Kim reflects on his incredible journey in the music industry, sharing wisdom and inspiration for aspiring artists and fans alike. 
  • Dan-e-o

    32:56
    Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show Toronto Hip Hop legend, Dan-e-o.Gregg and Karim begin the Pre Show sharing their positive experiences at recent concerts and recommended the musical Beautiful Scars, praising the theatre and the story of Tom Wilson. The conversation also included a description of the theater and the outstanding music in the musical, as well as an encounter with Tom Wilson and his art installation, which left a lasting impression on Karim.The discussion then shifted to Dan-e-o, a local hip hop legend, and his upcoming album release and a listening party. Dan-e-o and Karim discussed the influences and upbringing that shaped Dan-e-o's sound. Dan-e-o also reflected on his childhood experiences with vinyl records, emphasizing the impact of Bob Marley and Michael Jackson's Thriller on his love for music and entertainment.The conversation then revolved around the transformative impact of technology on music production and distribution, with Dan-e-o highlighting the positive aspects of collaborating with artists from different parts of the world. He also addressed the downside of technology enabling laziness in music creation. The speakers also touched on the changing landscape of music distribution and the impact of technology on feuds and battles in the music industry, illustrating the profound influence of digital platforms on the dissemination of music to a global audience. The meeting ended with a powerful spoken word performance by Dan-e-o and a discussion about the promotion and availability of his album "Vigilante."Check out Dan-e-o's work on his website -> https://urbnet.com/dan-e-o
  • Derry Grehan - Honeymoon Suite

    29:52
    Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show, Derry Grehan, lead guitarist and songwriter for the Canadian classic rock band, Honeymoon Suite. The episode begins with the Pre-Show with Gregg and Karim sharing their enthusiasm for live music while reminiscing about past concert experiences. Derry shared stories of the band's humble beginnings, their breakthrough in winning a contest and getting signed, and their subsequent success. Derry and Gregg engaged in a lively discussion about their encounters with influential musicians and their experiences collaborating with them. Derry shared stories about watching artists like Billy Gibbons, Steve Stevens, and Dave Navarro perform, expressing their admiration and respect for these musicians. Additionally, Derry recounted their interactions with Nuno Bettencourt, Rick Nielsen, and Michael McDonald, detailing the collaborative and inspiring moments they shared.The conversation also touched on Derry’s involvement in recording for Frozen Ghost's first album and the connections he made with other musicians throughout their careers.Follow Honeymoon Suite -> https://honeymoonsuiteband.com/
  • Rannie Turingan of the Vinyljunkie Podcast

    38:39
    This episode began with Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston sharing their excitement about Karim's recent Zoom call with musician Neil Young and his upcoming outdoor tour. They then introduced Rannie Turingan from the Vinyljunkie Podcast, and the conversation shifted to Rannie's impressive vinyl collection. The group also discussed their early encounters with vinyl collecting and their favourite live albums.The conversation then turned to Record Store Day and upcoming releases, with the group expressing their enthusiasm for the new Pearl Jam album and specific releases they were looking forward to. They also discussed the opening of HMV mini shops in Toys R Us stores and Rannie's upcoming podcast interview with Derek Antonio from Pop Music.Discussion on Music Preferences - Rannie, Karim, and Gregg engage in a lively discussion about their music preferences, particularly regarding Neil Young and Rush. Rannie expresses a dislike for Rush, citing Geddy Lee's voice as a factor. Karim shares his recent interaction with Neil Young and explores the impact of vocal styles on music enjoyment, leading to a light-hearted exchange about potential show guests.Vinyl Collecting Origins - Rannie and Karim delve into their childhood experiences with vinyl collecting, recalling the influence of their fathers' record collections and the diverse range of music they were exposed to. They share anecdotes about visiting record stores and discovering new artists, emphasizing the formative role of vinyl in shaping their musical tastes and memories.Sharing First Vinyl and Live Album Memories - Rannie, Karim, and Gregg reminisce about their first vinyl purchases, with Rannie recalling Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and Gregg mentioning Michael Jackson's "Starting Something." They also discuss their favourite live albums, including U2's "Under a Blood Red Sky" and a rare Death Cab for Cutie record store release that Rannie cherishes.Finding Time for Vinyl Listening - Karim talks about his scheduled vinyl listening time and a game he plays with family members. Rannie mentions his current frequency of vinyl listening compared to the past, while Gregg shares that he listens to vinyl at the end of his working day.Stories about Meeting the Barenaked Ladies - Karim, Rannie, and Gregg discuss their encounters with the Barenaked Ladies, sharing stories of attending early gigs, meeting band members at different venues, and personal connections. They reflect on the band's humble beginnings and how Canadian celebrities live among the public.Discussion on Record Store Day and upcoming releases - Rannie, Gregg, and Karim engage in a lively discussion about Record Store Day and upcoming releases. They express their anticipation for new albums from artists like Pearl Jam and David Bowie, and share their plans for shopping on Record Store Day. Rannie also mentions specific releases he is looking forward to, including a Cranberries release and Dolores O'Riordan's solo album.Rannie discusses his collection of Peter and the Wolf recordings, highlighting the different narrators and versions he has collected over the years. Visit Rannie's show:    / @vinyljunkiepodcast  
  • Rob Preuss

    59:18
    Check out the latest episode of our podcast! 🎙️ Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji dive deep with special guest Rob Preuss, all the way from Queens, New York.Join us as we explore Rob's fascinating journey from joining The Spoons at 15 to coaching Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody. We cover everything from musical influences to the impact of CFNY and Spirit Radio on the scene.Plus, we tackle the role of AI in pop music and the challenges of the industry while emphasizing the importance of passion over technicality.Tune in for an insightful and nostalgic conversation! 🎶 #Podcast #MusicIndustry #Creativity #AI #Passion
  • Delyn Grey

    32:31
    Step into Welcome To The Music with hosts Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston featuring the talented musician Delyn Grey as the guest of honour. In this captivating discussion, Grey delves into her musical roots, influences, and the intricacies of her journey as a performer. From the delicate balance between public persona and private life to the profound influence of Canadian icon Bif Naked, Grey paints a vivid picture of her artistic evolution.Yet, the conversation extends beyond individual experiences to explore broader industry themes. Grey candidly reflects on the challenges musicians face today, including the relentless pressure to conform to mainstream trends and the looming presence of AI in music creation. She emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and staying true to oneself amidst an ever-changing landscape.Grey also offers insights into her own creative process and the impact of the pandemic on her work.Throughout the discussion, the importance of mentorship and influential figures in the industry becomes evident, with nods to renowned music producer Steve Lillywhite.In essence, this episode sheds light on both the triumphs and tribulations encountered by modern-day musicians. From the quest for authenticity to navigating the evolving industry landscape, this discussion will resonate with aspiring artists and music enthusiasts alike, offering both inspiration and valuable insights.
  • Ron Hawkins: Lowest Of The Low

    39:40
    Welcome To The Music welcomes singer-songwriter and frontman of Lowest Of The Low, Ron Hawkins!Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston start the episode off by reflecting on the recent Juno Awards, expressing their enjoyment of the performances and the celebration of Scarborough. They also discussed their upcoming interview with Ron Hawkins, lead singer of Lowest of the Low, and planned to ask him about his quotes, political themes in his songs, and his thoughts on the Junos. The meeting progressed with a brief discussion about past encounters and the start of the conversation with Ron Hawkins.The conversation with Ron Hawkins covered a range of topics, including the impact of past successes on fan expectations, the changing dynamics of concert scheduling, and the evolving needs of the audience. Hawkins also shared his approach to balancing multiple projects and emphasized the importance of conveying a meaningful message through his music. The episode concluded with expressions of gratitude and anticipation for upcoming shows.Lowest Of The Low is touring this spring! Check out dates starting April 2024 in St. Catherines, Toronto and more: https://lowestofthelow.com/site/tour/
  • Meredith Moon

    36:20
    The meeting began with Karim and Gregg discussing their love for vinyl records and sharing humorous anecdotes about their family Christmas draw. They then moved on to discuss the Super Bowl halftime show and the Grammys, with mixed opinions on Post Malone's performance and admiration for Tracy Chapman's performance. The conversation also touched on Jay-Z's behavior at an awards show and Dallas Green's album.Meredith joined the meeting and discussed her musical influences, past hitchhiking experiences, and unique venue performances. She also opened up about her songwriting process and performed a song from her album, "Constellations."