Line-up
- Kim Mitchell : Vocals/Guitar
- Mike Tilka : Bass
- Terry Watkinson : Keyboards
- Gary McCracken : Drums
Fan Stories
Brad Mulligan
This kid's thank you to Jon Erickson.
1977 I had been "forced" by the anglophone exodus to move from Montreal to Toronto. As a concession my parents bought me tickets with my Montreal pals to go see Pink Floyd Animals tour at the Olympic Stadium. My first concert. I was wide eyed and full of questions. I managed to talk my way up to the mix platform to find out what was that "Pink Noise Testing," and the Britannia Row audio mixers gave this pimply faced kid the royal tour, and had me sit with them for the first 1/2 of the show. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be an audio engineer.
September of 1977 I see Max Webster Saturday night at L'Amoureux Collegiate. I grab my black 3 ring binder and a pencil, jump on my bike and wait by the gym doors for the band. A truck pulls up and a scrawny long haired crew guy jumps out. I say, "I will help you unload, do whatever you need and load out, if you will teach me how to setup and mix sound." The audio guy says "sure kid." I shadow him and sketch all the connections and equipment. That audio guy was Jon.
For decades on and off with Band Aid as an audio supplier I worked with Jon or Steve Byron or Bob Mcfee mixing my way up the audio engineer ladder.
4 years ago (?) after 30 years as head audio for the Toronto International Jazz Festival I find out from Mike Primeau that Jon will be mixing the Downchild Blues Band anniversary show with special guests Dan Ankroyd and Paul Shaffer on my stage. I have just learned of Jon's diagnosis. I bust out everything for Jon and test everything for the multitrack recording to ensuring every single rider spec and TV mobile spec is met in audio. Show day arrives and all I want is to make this Jon's best day. Jon's on stage doing monitors with the band. I make damn sure to line check for him and dial in a mix. He comes out to my FOH and I tell him, "have the band do a song, you're good to go." They play a 1/4 tune, Jon turns the masters off and turns to me with that mischievous Jon look and says "what, are you trying to make me look good?" I smile and say no Jon, you made a pimply faced kid's day 40 years ago. I tell him the story and he looks at me wide eyed and says "I remember that kid !! It's you !! Why after all these years did you not tell me?" I reply, "time and place, Jon, and this is the time and the place." The show is fantastic, Jon sprinkles his audio magic on the mix, we laugh, we hug. Rest in peace my friend, thank you.