David Wilcox

David Wilcox first made his name as a wild live performer and then as a first-rate recording artist whose work, from “Out Of The Woods” to his brand new release, “Boy In The Boat” (2007), stands the test of time.

His life in music is the stuff of legend. Wilcox discovered Elvis at age six, started picking guitar a couple of years later, and played his first gig to a room full of ex-convicts at age fourteen. A devoted acoustic fan, young David bought a second-hand Telecaster from a pawn shop on a whim and didn’t even know how to turn on the amp when he auditioned for Ian & Sylvia. He got the gig anyway, and spent two and a half years in their band, The Great Speckled Bird, backing the likes of Anne Murray, Charlie Rich and Carl Perkins on Ian’s weekly TV Show. David recalled one particular memory of that time: “We were headlining at Carnegie Hall and the only instruments were two acoustic guitars, played by Ian and me. I had an exceptional night and Ian was kind enough to introduce me twice. Both times the audience response was really warm and appreciative. Although I knew that I hadn’t ‘arrived’ or whatever, it was a wonderful affirmation that I could have a career in music.”

Wilcox led his first big-time band, David Wilcox And The Teddy Bears, in the mid ‘70s, hitting stages as a flashy character with an oversized waxed moustache, a baggy suit and a flower in his lapel. For the first time, he began performing original material. Over the years he’s written an extremely broad variety of songs like “Old Cats” and “Don’t Let The Devil Take The Beat From The Lord.”

In the early ‘80s, Wilcox shed the moustache and suit, truly hitting his stride. Wherever he played he left a trail of club and concertgoers who’d danced, drank, clapped, stomped and shouted their way to a great time. With consistent radio play for his songs, audiences were soon calling out for “Hot, Hot, Papa”, “Riverboat Fantasy” and other classic favorites.

Wilcox became a huge phenomenon on the college circuit, playing more than 300 dates a year and earning awards from COCA (Canadian Organization of Campus Activities) for Entertainer Of The Year (1985) and Contemporary Music Recording Attraction (1987). He was later honored with membership in their Hall Of Fame. At the time he was the highest grossing campus performer in Canada.

During these years, David led a rather excessive lifestyle. On his first three EMI albums, Out Of The Woods (1983), My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble (1983), Bad Reputation (1984) he sang from experience – about sex (“The Grind”), drugs (“Riverboat Fantasy”) and rock and roll (“That Hypnotizin’ Boogie”) and even documented the gossip fostered by such pursuits (“Bad Apple” and “Bad Reputation”). In the late ‘80s Wilcox continued to develop as a recording artist, moving from his gritty, live-in-the-studio roots to more produced synthesizer-and-drum program modern rock. The albums from this era, Breakfast At The Circus (1987), “The Natural Edge” (1989) are stylish and textured but the songs shine through as well as ever. The witty double-entendres of “Layin’ Pipe”, the sad requiem of “The Song He Never Wrote”, “Lay Down In Your Arms” are key examples.

“Thirteen Songs”, released in 1996, featured acoustic-based music played with a small band. Wilcox embraced everything from sax-and-organ jazz (“Rainy Night Saloon”) to country storytelling (“Shotgun City”) to deep blues (“Three Past Midnight”). Not to mention “God Is On A Bender” which may be one of the best songs he has ever done, period.

The year 2000 found David recording “Rhythm Of Love”, for Stony Plain Records of Edmonton a CD that reflected the compelling, hard-rocking sound of his first electric bands. “I Need A Vice” is a clever, sharply observed confession; “High-Water Rising” a beautiful soul ballad with some subtle, irresistible guitar work, and “Rhythm Of Love” is a percolating shuffle.

In 2003 Stony Plain issued a great compilation CD titled “Rockin’ The Boogie; Best of Blues And Boogie.” Apart from featuring some new tracks, such as the aptly titled “Can’t Stop Rockin’” the CD focused on Wilcox’s blues-and-boogie side. Canada’s Olympic gold-medal winning skaters, Salé and Pelletier, have frequently used the title track for one of their most popular routines.

With the release of David’s new CD, “Boy In The Boat” his music has come full circle. It’s a daring mix of diverse roots influences coupled with his remarkable style. The result? Something not only original but steeped in the raw funky tradition his fans have come to know and love. Tough but soulful; cool but passionate – the music keeps growing without losing its fiery edge. “I wanted to make a record as freely as possible. My first albums were done with no ‘adult supervision’; no concerns with current trends or ‘marketing’, just a group of people making music for the pure joy of it. With this one, we took that approach.” Wilcox goes on to recall: “There i