Ronn Metcalfe

Ronn Metcalfe (July 20, 1930 – May 18, 1969) was a Canadian big band leader from St. Catharines^[1] and music industry leader.^[2]

He released an LP named after the title track "Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball" which garnered him a gold record. He used this success to start a rock and roll band scene in Niagara, Canada. He created booking/managing agency, and opened The Castle in St. Catharines, the premiere club for bands between Buffalo and Toronto.^[3]

Another hit from Metcalfe (which he wrote) was a song called "Back to T.O." (T.O. is vernacular for Toronto)

This Niagara scene spawned many musicians such as Neil Peart from Rush, from Lee Aaron, Bullrush,^{[clarification needed]} and , from The Stampeders, The Hunt's Paul Dickinson, and and other music industry "behind the scene" types such as from Rush and Styx.

Some of Metcalfe's band include:

• Drummer who went on to work with Motown and Vegas acts
• Alto sax Fred Lipsius who went on to create Blood, Sweat & Tears
• Bass trombonist who later joined Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Band
• who later joined up with Don Ellis.

Metcalfe died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 38 while on a business/family trip to Ottawa. At the time he was securing a deal with Polydor Records.

References[]

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