Meet George
1. Musical influences?
I started out enjoying R&B til the British Invasion got my interest. The Beatles were my biggest influence. I just loved their sense of melody and later when they began writing all those wild lyrics I was totally hooked!
2. What inspired you to make Rock N Roll a full time career?
I thought if I could just survive playing music, that would be enough for me. I could find nothing else that I was as passionate about making my choice clear!
3. At the time of your starting out, who were some of the hottest acts in the Canadian Music Scene?
The Guess Who was becoming an international phenomenon and it was easy for me to see that if these boys from Winnipeg could do it ... I too had a chance!
4. Spinal Tap moments?
I remember doing the concert halls in Edmonton and Calgary on consecutive nights and I told the audience in Calgary how great it was to be back in Edmonton.... the band teased me for years about that one!!
5. Who were some of your favorite acts that you were honored to tour with?
I played one gig with Led Zeppelin way back when they were relatively new. It is something that has really impressed my children. Harlequin toured with so many acts but none can top that moment in time for me!
6. What were some of your favorite places you enjoyed playing and some of your fond memories there?
I love the Maritimes and at every opportunity tell anyone just to go there for the experience. Caracas Venezuela and San Juan Puerto Rico are the big stand outs! We had a tremendous reception in these places and to this day I still get fan mail from those locales!
7. Any known name people (musicians/actors) that are fans of yours ?
It was a thrill to meet The Trailer Park Boys and to discover they were huge Harlequin fans! Brian Adams once told me he was influenced by my writing and had tried several times to write a Harlequin-type song!
8. During my own travels abroad I used to come across people from England who know who Harlequin are. I did recall in Kerrang magazine seeing your albums listed in their charts (also to my surprise was Orphan’s albums) Did you ever consider touring there in the past?
I would love to tour Europe and almost did once. Traveling is a large part of the appeal of being a musician. I'll go anywhere anytime!!!
9. If I recall, the Love Crimes album is on CD and was available in Japan. How did that come about? Did the album do well over there?
Those are dirty little secrets the record company keep to themselves !!
10. Besides Canada, any other countries that you are aware of whose radio stations play your music?
I get royalty statements that indicate air-play in England, Germany, Japan the U.S., Chile and Greece.
11. You have a young lead guitar player in the band (Derrick Gottfried) how did you discover him?
Glen Willows actually told me about Derrick. Glen could not do a gig and suggested I hire Derrick. I was leary at first not having ever heard of him but at the first rehearsal he was so prepared and professional. I was blown away!! He has become a major asset to the band and we have a great writing partnership! He is never short on ideas and always brings his "A" game!
12. Have there been reactions from your hardcore fan base who may argue “the lead guitars of Harlequin were and always will be Glen Willows?”
Derrick plays all the signature solos just like the original and I must tell you I get a lot of positive feedback about his playing! As a matter of fact, never, have I heard a negative comment about him!
13. The 2005 Junos (hosted in Winnipeg) had the original Harlequin re-united (Ralph, Gary, Glen and David).
How did that come about? And the fans reaction?
Well as far as I can recall it was something Ralph James had always wanted to do! It was a lot of fun getting together with the old guys again and my only regret is that I wish we could have done more!!
14. I recall in the past Harlequin were nominated for Juno Awards?
Yes, we were nominated for a Juno but never took home a statuette!!
15. The band is heading back to the studio to do a brand new album. Any approaches you are taking with this that may be considered a new direction for Harlequin?
We are writing a lot of material and most of it still has a Harlequin flavor but I don't dwell on what is or is not Harlequin. I tend to just go with what I like !
16. With so many artists in the industry coming and going, and many older acts re-uniting (some with different players all together) what would be the key element to Harlequin’s success today?
I think the band always gives 100% no matter what the circumstances and I feel the fans can sense that and maybe that's why they keep supporting us.
17. For first time people being introduced to Harlequin what album would you consider for them to pick up to grab their attention and make them into converts?
Most people tell me Love Crimes is their favorite album.
18. What's your overall perception on what's happening in the music scene today? (What you see in magazines, television, radio)
Frankly I don't follow the scene like I use to. I find a lot of today's music is not all that interesting...that being said I do hear some good stuff from time to time!
SOLO PROJECTS
