Deloraines

Steve Lurie and Malcolm Stewart first played together in the early 1970’s when their work in social services and their love of music brought them together. Later in the 1970’s, Steve Lurie met Gary Craigen through work and also discovered a common interest in music. Steve and Gary began to perform at work related venues with Malcolm. In the early 1980’s Steve brought Warner Clarke into the mix and the band began to perform under the name of THE DELORAINES.

THE DELORAINES have had a few bass players over time. The list includes: Ian Gray, John Piper, Jerry Schwalb, Saul Mimram, Tim Nicholson and finally Richard Bales. Gary retired from work and moved to Kingston in the summer of 2001. Bill Mansfield was recruited to band after Gary’s departure.

THE DELORAINES have performed continuously since 1982 and have played at most, if not all, social recreation programs operating in the Greater Toronto Area. During this time, THE DELORAINES repertoire has evolved. In the early days, instrumentation consisted of guitars, banjo, autoharp and the music was very folk oriented. Over time, there was an increasing demand for more dance oriented music and so the band’s repertoire and equipment cupboard expanded.

THE DELORAINES have played a diverse variety of venues in Toronto including, Nathan Phillips Square in support of events like the Walk of Hope, Harbourfront, Tranzak Club, Exhibition Park for the United Way, the Toronto Marathon Queen West Arts Crawl and many Toronto hotel ballrooms.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS ANYWAY?
Richard Bales: In addition to anchoring the rhythym section of Turning Point (http://www.theturningpointband.blogspot.com/) when not playing with THE DELORAINES, Richard is self employed restoring and improving guitars, basses and other stringed instruments.

Warner Clarke: Warner works as a Senior Program Consultant in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and daydreams of one day owning the perfect winter bicycle and an all-Canadian musical kit.

Beth Hoen: Beth is self-employed as a consultant in health and social services in Toronto and finds singing with the band to be the kind of right brain activity that keeps her on track in her own business. Beth steps in to fill the bass position when Richard is unavailable.

Bill Mansfield: Bill was recruited to the band to replace the retired Gary Craigen and has brought his own impeccable vocals and love of Beatles and Eagles music into the mix. Bill’s day job is with the federal government in Toronto.

Malcolm Stewart: Dr. Stewart is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Social Work in Toronto. Having recently retired his vintage Les Paul in favour of a Parker Night fly, Malcolm now finds he has sufficient energy to write original tunes and lyrics for the band.

Steve Lurie: Since being turned down as a replacement drummer for Keith Moon of THE WHO, Steve has committed his life to helping resolve issues of mental health problems and homelessness through his day job as Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto.

FORMER BAND MEMBERS
Gary Craigen: Gary retired to Kingston after many years of work in community mental health in the Toronto Area. Gary now teaches Tai Chi and volunteers in the Kingston area and endeavours to spend as much of the winter in Mexico as possible.

Ian Gray: Ian, an excellent guitar player in his own right, was the first regular bass player with THE DELORAINES in the early 1980’s. Ian moved to London ON during the mid 1980’s but has returned to Toronto where he is lending his considerable musical talents to folk and bluegrass music.

Tim Nicholson: Tim played bass with the band during the late 1980’s before moving to Minden ON and building a wonderful house. Tim can be seen most summers acting at the Highlands Summer Festival in Haliburton ON, and can still be called upon to join up with the band on guitar or bass.

FOLKS WHO HAVE HELPED OUT FROM TIME TO TIME
Danny Caplan: Danny has filled in on drums on a number of occasions and always impresses us with his absolutely solid beat and his ability to easily pick up our somewhat obscure numbers and/or arrangements. Danny and Ian Gray also played together in the band Faded Genes (http://www.thefoz.com/fadedGenes/bios.htm).

Dave Clarke: Son of Warner & Beth, Dave has filled in on sax, bass and guitar since he was a teenager.

Jim Loft: Jim played drums with us during the summer of 2007 and helped us out during one of our rare three gig weekends.

Jeff Lurie: Son of Steve, Jeff has added his excellent guitar work to the band on occasion. Jeff and Dave have a band of their own. You can find them here: www.myspace.com/stillsoulband

ABSOLUTE TRUTHS
Steve Lurie has never appeared with THE DELORAINES clean shaven. Richard Bales has never appeared with THE DELORAINES with any facial hair.

There is a direct relationship within THE DELORAINES between members who own pajamas and their ability to get to gigs or practices on-time. Is there a universal truth in this?

THE DELORAINES always appear at a gig with a printed set list but manage to make at least one diversion from the set list at each gig. Experience has taught the band to view set lists as guidelines and not policy.

If less than 40 % of the band members are in attendance, it is no longer considered to be a performance by THE DELORAINES.