Petrolia to the Rhythmaires

North Bay has been home to a wide variety of talented musicians since its founding in 1882. This page lists musicians and bands from Petrolia to the Rhythmaires.

Rosario “Caddy” Petrolia. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Petrolia, Rosario “Caddy”

Rosario "Caddy" Petrolia was born on June 19th, 1901 and was involved with community bands for almost seventy years. He was a member of the Christopher Columbus Band, the Capitol Band, the Citizens' Band, the Premier Band, the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Railway Band, the 8th Field Squadron Band, the North Bay Area Band, and the North Bay Concert Band. When Caddy was fourteen years old, he was taught music by Egidio Virgili and learned how to play the alto horn. He was also self-taught on drums, baritone horn, saxophone, xylophone, trombone, and bass violin. Due to the number of instruments he could play, Caddy filled in for many members of the bands when they were unavailable for performances. During the 1930s, Caddy played saxophone and bass fiddle with Lucenti's Capitol Orchestra, which performed from the stage of the Capitol Threate and broadcasted over CBC radio. He also provided drums for dancers of the Edna Gillars dance studio, as well as Hilda Palmers revues. He passed away on July 31st, 1999.

Louis Petrolia. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Petrolia, Louis

Louis Petrolia was born in Villa Rosa, Sicily in 1866. He later came to Canada and found employment with the Lindsay McClusky Coal Business before working with the CPR as a labourer. Louis played drums with the Christopher Columbus Band, under the direction of Egidio Virgili, and passed on his fondness for music to his son, Caddy Petrolia. Louis passed way in 1950.

Powassan Lions’ Club Band

During its early years, the Powassan Lions' Club Band was musically assisted by the North Bay Concert Band. Under the direction of Kenneth Messenger, the Lions' Club Band has grown and developed its own musical identity, no longer requiring assistance from the Concert Band.

Pratte, Ron

Ron Pratte began his musical career as a guitarist, but switched to drums when Cafe Chantant needed a rhythm section. Although he stuck with drums, he still played guitar, as well as fiddle and banjo. Ron has played for Nickelodeon, the Buffalos, and Sound Solution.

Irwin Prescott. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Prescott, Irwin

Irwin Prescott was born on June 18th, 1932 and spent most of his life in North Bay. As a young boy, he idolized Hank Williams Sr., and soon began playing guitar and singing most of Hank's songs. Irwin formed a country band called the Mel-O-Tones, which became popular throughout Ontario. He had a television show which aired on CKGN in 1956 and ran for about two years. His second television appearance was in 1961 with a show known as OK Jamboree, later to be known as Saturday Night Jambouree. This show ran for about five years. Irwin passed away on August 8th, 1977.

The Prophets

The Prophets was a band that went through many roster changes before settling on its final roster, consisting of Brian McDowell (guitar, vocals), Andy Parisien (organ, lead vocals and harmonies), Breen LeBoeuf (bass and lead vocals), and Steve Clarke (drums). Previous musiciains including Paul Levesque (drums), Craig Rodwell (bass), Jerry Hennessy (guitar, bass), and Cliff Gervais (keynboards). As secondary student, the final lineup performed almost every weekend, playing at Academie Notre-Dame de l'assomption, Chippewa Secondary School, the Furnace Room on McIntyre Street West, and the Catholic Youth Organization at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption. The Prophets didn't have a standard repertoire. Instead, they played whatever they wanted, including Lonnie Mack, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Procol Harum, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Bob Dylan, the Spencer Davis Group and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

John Ranger. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Ranger, John

John Ranger moved to North Bay when he was twelve years old and decided to take up rock n' roll after hearing Jerry Lee Lewis. Alongside his friend, Ken Roy, they formed Kenny and the Be-Bops. Although the band performed together for a short time, they won Battle of the Bands before they disbanded. From that moment on, John knew he wanted to be a musician. Later that year, he formed and played with the Jades for ten years before joining Richard Terry's Sound Syndicate, later known as Illustration. The band met a producer in New York, recorded an album, and were featured in the Rolling Stones magazine. John also played with several bands, evenutally forming his own, Maxx, that performed in Nevada for a number of years. He returned to North Bay in 1992 and began playing at Churchill's.

Renaud, Harley

Harley Renaud was born in Niagara Falls on May 16th, 1950. He has won many contests, including the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest. Harley has also opened for performers such as Kitty Wells, Tom T. Hall, and Prairie Oyster. He was president of the Nipissing Country Music Association of North Bay, and chaired the Northern Ontario Open Country Singing contest for many years. Harley has been honoured by the Northern Oprey, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Nipissing Country Music Wall of Honour.

Reyes, Jorge

Jorge Reyes moved to North Bay from Acapulco, Mexico in 1990. As a drummer, he performed with Carlos Santana, as well as many tours and the cruise ship circuit. Locally, he was the drummer in the Dinosaurs.

The Rhythmaires

The Rhythmaires was a dance band in the late 1950s and 1960s who mostly played instrumentals. Originally led by Rev. T. S. Donahoe of Scollard Hall, Tony Marceau took over as band leader. The group mostly played rock n' roll and round dances in places such as Kitchener, Huntsviulle, and throughout the North Bay area.