Back Alley John

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Back Alley John


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = John Carl David Wilson
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Born = birth date|1955|2|10
Died = Death date and age|2006|6|22|1955|02|10
Origin = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Instrument = Harmonica
Voice_type =
Genre = Blues
Occupation = Blues singer, songwriter, harmonica player
Years_active = 1969-2006
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Associated_acts = Back Alley John Revue Sue Foley
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Back Alley John (b. John Carl David Wilson, [As in [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~abwcobit/Recent/2006/Data/Obits2006Page421.html notice of obituary] published in the "Calgary Sun"; www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.] Ottawa, Ontario, February 10, 1955; d. Calgary, Alberta, June 22, 2006) was a Canadian blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player.

Beginnings, 1969-1971: Ottawa to Venice, California

Born into a strict military family in Ottawa, Ontario, a young John Wilson rebelled and ran away from home, travelling to Venice Beach, California at the age of 14 in a stolen truck. He stayed in Venice for approximately two years, making a living as a busking harmonica player, and it was in Venice that he acquired the name "Back Alley John". As his brother, Peter Wilson, recalls, "When he got (to Venice), he needed money and he had been playing harmonica since he was little, so he started busking. The street people there kind of took him under their wing and they said 'Listen John, you can't busk on the street 'cause you'll get arrested. You've gotta busk in the back alleys.' So he busked in the back alleys of Venice for a couple of years and that's how he was named Back Alley John." [Heath McCoy, [http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=adea03a0-50f3-42de-92fe-5cd724355754&k=40361 Blues scene remembers 'real deal' Back Alley John] . "Calgary Herald", June 28, 2006. Predecessor Canadian blues singer and harmonica player, King Biscuit Boy was similarly named by others--in his case, by Ronnie Hawkins. Back Alley John recounted that he didn't run away from home, as his brother recalls; he was thrown out, at the age of thirteen. See Rick Overwater, [http://www.beatroute.ca/view_archived_article.php?id=20&sectionID=15&articleID=361, Back Alley John - A blues legend remembered] (though Wilson is referred to as "Williams"). BeatRoute Magazine, July, 2006. www.beatroute.ca.]

1971-1988: Venice to Ottawa and The Back Alley John Revue

Deported back to Canada, Back Alley John continued to develop his harmonica and singing skills in the Ottawa area. Back Alley John's early reputation was enhanced when he won the harmonica competition at the Ottawa Bluesfest, where the jury included Muddy Waters and John Hammond. He later performed with Waters and Hammond at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. [ [http://lfc.ab.ca/baj.htm Profile of Back Alley John] by the Lethbridge Folk Club; www.lfc.ab.ca.] He identified his influences as including Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Carrie Bell, Johnny Winter, John Hammond, Norm Clark and Dutch Mason. [ [http://lfc.ab.ca/baj.htm Profile of Back Alley John] by the Lethbridge Folk Club; www.lfc.ab.ca]

In 1980, with guitarist Drew Nelson, he co-founded the Back Alley John Revue. [ [http://www.drewnelson.ca/bio.html Biography of Drew Nelson] www.drewnelson.ca.] They initially played in Ottawa clubs and busked on the streets of Ottawa during the early 1980s, particularly in Ottawa's Byward Market, playing blues for passersby in front of the historic Chateau Lafayette House tavern. [Personal observation. Built in 1849, initially as a small luxury hotel, the Chateau Lafayette House is Ottawa's oldest tavern. See Sarah Rogers, [http://www.ottawasun.com/News/ottawa150/2005/07/25/1147020.html Centre of attention] . "Ottawa Sun", January 15, 2005.] During this period, Back Alley John was particularly supportive of the commencement of the blues career of Sue Foley who, in 1984 at the age of sixteen, was singing and playing guitar with the Back Alley John Review. [ [http://www.drewnelson.ca/bio.html Biography of Drew Nelson] www.drewnelson.ca.]

The popularity of The Back Alley John Revue grew beyond Ottawa and the group toured Canada on several occasions, though the group did not release an album. [As "Back Alley John", one song, "Nothing To Show" is found on the "Share CHEZ 83" compilation album, sponsored by an Ottawa radio station, CHEZ-FM. See [http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:RjBwMQcCV2gJ:www.nutshellmusic.com/canadianspaces/playlists/2006_07_01_archive.html+%22Share+Chez+83%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ca Canadian Spaces Playlist] , July 1, 2006.]

1988-2006: Calgary

The Back Alley John Revue ended when Back Alley John fell seriously ill and in 1988 decided to relocate to Calgary, Alberta, to be near his brother Peter. [Heath McCoy, [http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=adea03a0-50f3-42de-92fe-5cd724355754&k=40361 Blues scene remembers 'real deal' Back Alley John] . "Calgary Herald", June 28, 2006. Drew Nelson then formed the Drew Nelson Band in 1989 and developed a national solo and band career under his own name. He continues to play professionally. See [http://www.drewnelson.ca/bio.html Biography of Drew Nelson] www.drewnelson.ca.]

It was in Calgary that Back Alley John developed his recording career, releasing four independently-distributed albums, [At one time distributed by Festival Distribution (www.festival.bc.ca), though apparently no longer, based on search of site on September 27, 2008. Back Alley John's records were generally produced or co-produced by Tim Williams, who is both a producer and performer, well known in blues and folk music circles. See [http://www.telusplanet.net/public/belzners/main.htm Tim Williams website] .] and where he continued to develop his reputation as a blues performance artist. His recordings were subject to significant critical acclaim. By 1998, he was considered to have become one of the finest blues recording artists in North America. [James Muretich, Calgary Herald, February 8, 1998, in reviewing "One Way Ticket to Palookaville", as quoted in [http://members.tripod.com/~motovator/baj.html Back Alley John Personal Webpage] ] In 1999, he was a "Canadian Real Blues Award" winner, cited by Real Blues Magazine [www.realbluesmagazine.com] as the Best Canadian Unsigned Talent. [Canadian Real Blues Awards Winners, [http://www.torontobluessociety.com/9903lbn.htm Loose Blues News, 1999] ; www.torontobluessociety.com.] In 2002, Calgary country and blues singer Ralph Boyd Johnson included the original song "(Hard Act to Follow) Back Alley John", referencing rougher elements of Back Alley John's life, on Johnson's debut album, "Dyin' to Go". [See [http://www.moose-meadow.com/rbj/reviews.htm Ralph Boyd Johnson website] ; www.moose-meadow.com/rbj/. The album was co-produced by Tim Williams, who was also Back Alley John's producer, and the late Billy Cowsill.]

Back Alley John remained based in Calgary for nearly twenty years, until his death. During this period, Back Alley John was noted for his generosity in sharing his talent with others. For example, blues harmonica player and vocalist Black Cherry Perry credits Back Alley John with helping Perry develop his own musical career, subsequent to the Perry's 2004 arrival in Calgary, through sharing information on harmonica playing and encouraging Black Cherry Perry to sit in at Back Alley John performances. When Back Alley John became too ill to continue as host of a weekly performance jam in Calgary, Black Cherry Perry was asked to take it over. [cite web
url=http://www.blackcherryperry.com/bio.html
title=Black Cherry Perry
publisher=www.blackcherryperry.com
accessdate=2008-09-26
last=
first=] Another Calgary musician, Sideshow Bob, credits Back Alley John as follows: "I broke into the Calgary music scene 'a few years' ago, performing with the legendary Blues artist Back Alley John. Now can you imagine a better start to a musician's career? Not me. I learned more from Back Alley than anyone else. He is a true musician and a true friend." [ [http://www.freewebs.com/sideshowbobband/index.htm Sideshow Bob website bio] ; www.freewebs.com/sideshowbobband. Retrieved on 2008-29-27. Subsequent to Back Alley John's death, Sideshow Bob commented as follows: "John was the real deal and I greatly miss him and his shows. He taught me and many other musicians what it was all about.". Commentary August 15, 2006, as found at [http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=52513747 Back Alley John MySpace Page] .] Calgary blues harmonica player Dylan MacDonald cites Back Alley John as his "harmonica mentor". [ [http://www.traditionalbluesschool.com/bio.html Biography of Dylan MacDonald] ; www.traditionalbluesschool.com.]

Illness and death

Back Alley John's career was cut short by respiratory disease, which resulted in him being in continuous third party care for the last two years of his life. Notwithstanding his physical challenges, which included hepatitis and severe oxygen deprivation, necessitating a wheelchair and constant use of an oxygen tank, [Rick Overwater, [http://www.beatroute.ca/view_archived_article.php?id=20&sectionID=15&articleID=361, Back Alley John - A blues legend remembered] . BeatRoute Magazine, July, 2006. www.beatroute.ca.] Back Alley John literally played the blues until his last breath. He continued to record and to contribute to the recordings of others. [Some of Back Alley John's last recordings may be found on "Sampler, Volume 1" from Calgary-based [http://www.killfloor.net/site/back-alley-john-wilson.php?SID=2306087QXQtjCu1P2X125116 Killfloor Records] . ] Two months before his death, having "flatlined in an ambulance, he somehow made his way to (Calgary's) Ambassador Motor Inn, [Location of [http://www.ambassadormotorinn.ca/ambers.htm "Len's Den"] , a Calgary lounge that regularly features blues artists.] where he got onstage for a final performance. [On April 22, 2006. Fan comment ("Canadian Rawker") posted on Back Alley John MySpace site, June 28, 2006.] 'He was so close to the end, really bad off, and I couldn't believe he could play,' (his brother) Peter said. 'It wasn't the John I knew, but he still sounded good. It was impressive, but it was heartwrenching, too.'" [Heath McCoy, [http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=adea03a0-50f3-42de-92fe-5cd724355754&k=40361 Blues scene remembers 'real deal' Back Alley John] . "Calgary Herald", June 28, 2006.] As the late [Died August 16, 2007, at the age of 49. See complete obituary, referencing his friendship with Back Alley John [http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:nwb_gMJb1nIJ:archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CAN-BC-OBITS/2007-08/1188270912+%22Back+Alley+John%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=95&gl=ca here] ; www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.] Mick Joy, John's last steady bass player, close friend and roommate for seven years recalled, "In the final days, he wasn't getting enough oxygen, but it was amazing. He could barely breathe, but he could always pick up harp and blow the harp fine. It was like a mini-miracle every time." [Rick Overwater, [http://www.beatroute.ca/view_archived_article.php?id=20&sectionID=15&articleID=361, Back Alley John - A blues legend remembered] . BeatRoute Magazine, July, 2006. www.beatroute.ca.]

Tributes, 2006 and 2008

On Canada Day, 2006, a memorial concert was held in Calgary in honour of Back Alley John. [Heath McCoy, [http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=adea03a0-50f3-42de-92fe-5cd724355754&k=40361 Blues scene remembers 'real deal' Back Alley John] . "Calgary Herald", June 28, 2006.]

In February, 2008, Back Alley John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame of the Calgary Blues Music Association. [Cindy McLeod, [http://www.jazzelements.com/2008/02/13/calgary-midwinter-bluesfest-celebrates-blues-guitar/ Blues News, Canada] ; www.jazzelements.com. ]

Postscripts

Back Alley John's music continues to receive national radio play. Holger Petersen, founder and owner of Stony Plain Records, has been particularly supportive, through his Saturday Night Blues program on CBC Radio. [See, for example, [http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/SATURDAY_NIGHT_BLUES/20080628.shtml Program log of "Saturday Night Blues"] , June 28, 2008; www.cbc.ca.]

Discography

* [http://www.killfloor.net/site/store.php?SID=2306087QXQtjCu1P2X125116 "Sampler, Volume 1"] (2007) Killfloor Records
* [http://www.backalleyjohn.com/tralalacdcover.html "Live at the Duke"] (2005) [Based on [http://www.earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=7&dWeekOfID=2005-11-15 year of initial chart position] (number 5 of top 10 folk/roots/blues records, week of November 15, 2005) at campus radio CJSW, Calgary; www.earshot-online.com.] Back Alley John and The Tra La Las
* [http://www.backalleyjohn.com/onewayticket.html "One-Way Ticket to Palookaville"] (1997)
* [http://www.backalleyjohn.com/feelingcdcover.html "More A Feeling Than A Living"] (1995)
* [http://www.backalleyjohn.com/highwaycdcover.html "Out On The Highway"] (1993)
*"Share CHEZ 83" (1983) CHEZ-FM Compilation containing one Back Alley John song, "Nothing to Show".

References

External links

* [http://members.tripod.com/~motovator/baj.html Back Alley John Personal Webpage] Created while alive as booking site and to promote recordings; currently inactive. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
* [http://www.backalleyjohn.com/ Back Alley John Official Website] Tribute site.
* [http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=52513747 Back Alley John MySpace Page] Initially developed while living; now a tribute site.

Persondata
NAME= Back Alley John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Wilson, John Carl David
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Canadian blues singer, songwriter, harmonica player
DATE OF BIRTH= 1955-2-10
PLACE OF BIRTH= Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
DATE OF DEATH= 2006-6-22
PLACE OF DEATH=Calgary, Alberta, Canada