Goin' To Toronto
by Mike McKenna

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Join me for a trip back in time to the early days of the Canadian rock scene. We start in my early days with Whitey (Glan) and the Roulettes. Our next stop is Yorkville, where Mike’s Trio becomes Luke (Gibson) and The Apostles. After a stint with The Ugly Ducklings, Joe and I form McKenna Mendelson Mainline. Our trip continues through Diamondback, The Mike McKenna Band, Downchild Blues Band, The Guess Who, and Slidewinder. Our journey spans four countries with many interesting stories along the way. You will also hear from some of my friends and fans including Luke Gibson, Tony Nolasco, Dave Bingham, Peter McGraw and Pat Little.

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"Mike McKenna’s big bluesy guitar powered such iconic Yorkville bands as Luke & the Apostles and McKenna Mendelson Mainline. A true workingman’s musician, Mike never stopped and went on to lead the popular bands Slidewinder and Diamondback in clubs along Yonge Street, Bloor and beyond. His story—honest, heartfelt and humourous—is more than just a memoir. It’s a tale of Toronto told by one of its bona fide local legends." — Nicholas Jennings, bestselling author of Before the Gold Rush and Lightfoot

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Mike McKenna is a Torontonian through and through. As a Canadian musician he has traveled the world and played in nine Bands. If the Blues is his first love, then guitars are his second. He is renowned for his guitar solos and slide playing. Mike was inducted into the Canadian South Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2013 and was nominated for a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Toronto Maple Blues Society in 2024. Mike has been told by many people that he should write a book. So here it is…

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Mike McKenna