Things have changed a bit as the site gets updated but if you'd like to read the original content you can find it HERE. Its pretty tongue in cheek and for those of you scratching your head wondering "What is this Gasworks thing?" it'll give you a bit more of an idea.
LAST CALL - links at bottom of section to pictures & video
In the history of Canadian rock music there is one club that stands out above the rest, the good old Gasworks. Even if you'd never been there (or Canada for that matter) Mike Meyer's line, "The Gasworks! Always a babe fest", from the motion picture Wayne's World, made sure you had heard of it. For a quarter of a century it was home and host to Canada's best hard rock acts, a number of who would go on to reach national and international stardom.
This site originally was intended to be a walk down memory lane filled with information for the "old gang". Considering the tens of thousands of people who passed through the doors over the years that's a fairly sizable gang. But in 2006 enough interest was expressed from people in the film-television industry that a serious historical documentary is now on the planning table. When will it be ready for broadcast ... that's hard to say. A lot depends on how much can be researched and who's got a story, information or pictures to share. One thing is certain, as time goes by and memories start to get a little hazy stories will still be told (and probably even passed down to grand-kids) about the times, music, beer, people, and all that big hair.
The Gasworks, "Don't Call Last Call" - the definitive story of Canada's hardest rockin' club.
Site Updated: Aug 4 2007
The documentary idea is still rolling along as I dig up more info ... but I gotta tell ya its a helluva lot of work people. I've added a few more pages, some video (interviews & performance) plus newspaper clippings, they can be found if you go down the page and look for the links in that section. I want to thank Ande Rytch (bassist for Herrenvolk-Kidd Wikkid, Runs 'N' Your Hoses, Slot Machine) who is currently doing the online DJ thing at www.netrock101.com for all his help in finding contacts and material. As always there's great response from anyone who hears about this project.
I'm getting some good info on the final decade and a half (can always use more) but still need lots more on what the early days were all about. What I could also use is any information on the pre-history of the club. I understand it was a bowling alley in the 60s and possibly earlier ... anything about that would be of great help (ask your grand-parents, they might know). And stretching farther back into time I'd really appreciate it if anyone knows where I can go research the real early stuff (already looking through the City Of Toronto archives). If you have anything related to tell about the bands, yourself, history, newapaper clippings, etc just follow this link to send a message.
If you're wondering what happened to all the old friends you used to hang out with at the Gasworks then you should check out the Gasworks Tavern FaceBook Group that Karen Dzupina put together. Lots of cool pix and a discussion board ... this group is growing daily!
The final day of the "classic" Gasworks came on January 9 1993. To call it a surprise that caught many off guard would be an understatement. Like all good things the era of big hair and loud guitars was coming to a close so maybe the writing was on the wall and most of us just didn't see it. An investor from Hong Kong (Billy Fok) had bought the building and was looking to turn it into something with a better profit margin. So the word came down, "Close the Gasworks", and the scramble to prepare the final blast began.
Thanks to a tireless effort by manager Dan Cleveland, head waitress Marianne McCauley and the whole staff the wheels were set in motion. The task of getting the final day's entertainment together was given to Greg Godovitz (Goddo) who came through with flying colours. I'm sure his phone was getting pretty warm as he spread the word. Goddo with Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) headlined along with members of Triumph, Saga, Helix, Platinum Blonde, Coney Hatch and a host of others to give the club a well deserved final send off. Those who were lucky enough to be there got treated to what could probably be the most unique hard rock event in Canadian club history.
Its been well over a decade and the sights, sounds and smells are long gone. The building that once was the Gasworks is still around but its been turned into a dollar store. I sometimes wonder if late at night a few ghosts don't come out to crank it up one more time. Like many of you I paid a lot of visits and saw a lot of bands there and sure miss the old gal. If you go a little farther down this page you'll find the link(s) that will take you to some images of what it was all about on the final day.
They came in droves packed the place the bands were hot stars came ...
... more stars came girls danced topless we all loved it then it was over.
This section is where you can find links to pages of various images taken from video. Only one page right now but more to come. When done the day will be split into to three pages plus probably one for the day before.
The Night - pretty much all well known artists
VIDEO CLIPS
Here's where you can find Video Clips that are hosted on Google Videos. You'll need Shockwave Flash installed to seem 'em. If you go to video.google.ca you can find better quality downloadable versions.
Mike Myers telegram - VIDEO - Sebastian Bach reads a telegram to Greg Godovitz
Interview 1993 - VIDEO - Greg Godovitz (GODDO) on the Gasworks
Interview 1993 - VIDEO - Chris Steffler (PLATINUM BLONDE) on the Gasworks
Interview 1993 - VIDEO - Nick Sinopoli (JUST ALICE) on the Gasworks
Performance May 1990 - VIDEO - WALTER EGO performing Walt's Lament
CONTACT - Send a message
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS - Closing day related
FRIENDS OF THE GASWORKS - See what they're doing now
POSTERS 1960s - Band promos
POSTERS 1970s - Band promos
POSTERS 1980s - Band promos
This page Copyright © Ben Bergmann - 2006, 2007, 2008
