Back in the day, there were the three of us - Mark Tognetti, Laura Hoddenott and yours truly - trolling the pubs in the Toronto suburbs for the best karaoke.

Each of us had our own specialty. Mark had his Elvis and britpop. Laura had her blues and rock. I had “Devil With the Blue Dress”..

In a way, we were like the Three Musketeers of the North Toronto karaoke circuit. We weren’t aiming to be discovered or recognized. We just wanted to have fun.

When my Dad fell ill in 1996, I turned into a basket case of sorts and I became a little reclusive, worrying and looking after him in my spare time. It was more of a blank than anything else. We all scaled back our karaoke appearances until we simply ceased being the monsters of the scene.

Fast forward to the present and I received a call from Mark. During our conversation, he mentioned that Laura had a few vids out on YouTube. I was pleasantly surprised that the office clerk from North York by way of Newfoundland had found her calling in life.

So here she is…

Her voice has gotten better over the years. She hasn’t changed a bit. It seems that karaoke set the stage for bigger and better things.

Looking back, it seems that a good time was had by all in the smoky pubs of North Toronto.

Rock ‘n roll can be enjoyed everywhere. Even al fresco. Why not?

I remember By Divine Right playing at a friend’s basement party. Sick. Raw. Awesome.

I remember Sam Salvador and the Ruling Junta playing in the basement of my parent’s home when I was in high school.

“Who were they?” you may ask.

This band eventually morphed into Tall New Buildings. Then Moxy Fruvous.

And now one of them plays bass for Great Big Sea.

And another hosts an arts and current affairs show on CBC Radio One.

And he still has his own hair, goddamnit.

I’m sure getting old.

Rewind back to the early 1980s, with basement and field parties and the ghetto blasters pumping out some prime rock ‘n roll.

After a few beers and half-a-pack of smokes under the belt (and maybe some smoke of a different kind), there would be an urge to request - no, demand - some Bon Scott AC/DC.

As far as I can recall, I never could imagine my high school years without a few tracks from “Highway to Hell” or “Back in Black” peppering my waking hours.

At least they are better than that song about the bass.

The rock ‘n roll landscape is so saturated with so many artists and bands that it would take forever to sift through all the YouTube uploads to appreciate the variety.

Ian McLagan was one of these artists whose skills enhanced performances by the Rolling Stones, the Small Faces and the Faces with Rod Stewart.

In fact, here is one of them. RIP Ian. Keep on rockin’ on the Other Side.

Let me sleep in until the rain lets up
Let me sleep in when the sun comes out
Leave me be. Just leave me alone
Let me sleep until I decide to wake up

Don’t wait up. I’m taking my time
Don’t wait up. Just leave me alone
Until the rain lets up, I stay where I am
Don’t wait up. Just leave me be

Let it slide. Let it ride
It’s not worth the waste of your precious time
Let it up. Let it go
Come Hell or high water stay where you are

Don’t go to the shopping mall
There’s nothing to do. There’s nothing to buy
You’ll see nothing but sweet fuck all
Rumours, innuendoes, gossips and lies

Don’t go to the discotheque
You’ll fall down and break your neck
Get drunk get stupid and pick a fight
Dance without rhythm all through the night

Don’t waste your time trying to find my groove