David Wilcox (Canadian musician)

David Wilcox

David Wilcox (born July 13 1949 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian rock musician.

History

Montreal native, David (Karl William) Wilcox began his musical adventure at an early age of 6 with desires to be like his idol, Elvis Presley. A few years later, David picked up the guitar and started picking all the way to his first live performance to a room of ex-convicts when he was only 14 years old.

In 1970, on his 21st birthday, David replaced Amos Garrett in Ian & Sylvia Tyson’s band, The Great Speckled Bird playing backup for acts such as Anne Murray, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich. A mere 3 years and 2 records later, he decided to go solo and secure his own personal style of Blues-Rock.

Wilcox led his first big-time band, David Wilcox and the Teddy Bears, in the mid '70s, hitting local 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. From that break came his debut album, “Out of the Woods” in 1977, which set the tone for his trademark husky vocal style and feverish guitar work . Out of the Woods produced two of his top hits, “Do the Bearcat,” “Bad Apple,” and “That Hypnotizin’ Boogie.” However, as an independent artist, he struggled to achieve the success he felt he deserved and sales were not as he had hoped. After signing with Capitol Records in 1982, he re-released his debut album under the proper influence of the major record company. The result of this was David’s first album to reach gold status.

Wilcox followed the success from the re-release of that album with “My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble” in 1983 which featured “Downtown Came Uptown,” and "Riverboat Fantasy", Much like his previous album, Wilcox’s songs were sung from experience mostly related to the rock and roll lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. On this album, Wilcox did not let up on his guitar, playing it in a way that only he could. His second straight gold record, the album cover - featuring a smirking Wilcox blowing a joint pretty much summed up his attitude towards music and life in general. Another series of tours ensued - the club scene a perfect fit for his raunchy brand of blues.

Hitting the college concert scene in the 1980’s, Wilcox became a favourite among students for his insane guitar playing, humorous lyrics and quirky vocal styling’s; they loved his trademarks. It was common for the crowd to cheer, dance, clap, stomp, and shout their way through the entire concert.

Driven by the success of his tour and two straight gold records, David went back into the studio in 1984 to record his next success, “Bad Reputation.” The soon to be gold album “The Best of David Wilcox,” his first compilation album, was released a year later as hit inspired collection of his songs. It included chart favourites such as “Downtown Came Uptown,” “Bad Apple,” “Hot, Hot Papa,” “The Grind,” and “That Hypnotizin' Boogie.” Also on that album were previous hits like “Bad Reputation,” “My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble,” “Do the Bearcat,” and of course, "Riverboat Fantasy", Not only was this album a collection of previous hits, in was the debut album for “Blood Money” and “When You Mistreat Her.” It was evident that as one of Canada's most prolific artists, Wilcox was carving out his own niche.

Later that year, Wilcox was honoured with the COCA (the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities) for Entertainer Of The Year award (1985) (Biography, 2007) David’s next album to be released was yet another compilation of previously recorded successes and was part of Capitol Records series “Over Sixty Minutes”

“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", sounding almost like Wilcox's tribute to his excessive side; and the sweet anthemic pop of "Lay Down In Your Arms" are key examples.”

“More tours ensued and he returned with 1989's "The Natural Edge." The title-track was one of 11 tracks which laid to rest any fears that Wilcox knew how to serve up anything but a full plate of sped-up boogie tunes that you couldn't help but tap your toes to. Other notable cuts included "Ivory Tower", "Pop Out World" and the lead off track "Still Life".”

It was not until some years later in 1993 when David came out with his next album. Again, he released a box set titled, “The Collected Works 1977-1993”

"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 Wilcox has ever done, period.”

However, despite all his success in the 80’s and early 90’s, now it was the record company that was not satisfied by slumping record sales and unfortunately, released Wilcox in 1997 and he was once again an independent artist. That was until he was able to pick up a contract with Edmonton based, “Stony Plain Records” in 2002 and so he began to work on a new album under their direction. The album, “Rhythm of Love” was released in 2002 and was evident that Wilcox was showing a “sense of growth and maturity that had filtered into his foray of high-energy blues. "Play That Guitar Rag", "Easy Like Rain" and the traditional "Rattlesnakin' Daddy" all let the world know David Wilcox was not only back - but better than ever.”

“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.”

He is known for such albums as Out Of The Woods (1977, 1983), My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble (1983), Bad Reputation (1984), Breakfast At The Circus (1987), and The Natural Edge (1989).

Near the close of the 2002 Winter Olympics the Canadian figure skating couples pair of Jamie Salé and David Pelletier did a flying demonstration to the Wilcox tune "Rockin' The Boogie". Wilcox continues to be a top attraction on the festival and arena circuits around Canada.

Discography

• Out of the Woods 1977
• My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble 1983
• Bad Reputation 1984
• The Best of David Wilcox 1985, Compilation
• 60 Minutes With ... David Wilcox 1987, Compilation
• Breakfast at the Circus 1987
• The Natural Edge 1989
• The Collected Works 1977-1993 1993
• Thirteen Songs 1996
• Greatest Hits Too 1997
• Rhythm of Love 2002
• Rockin’ the Boogie Best Blues and Boogie 2003
• Boy in the Boat 2007

External links

• David Wilcox official site