JIMI BERTUCCI
is best known as the founding member and principal singer-songwriter
for the ‘70s hit-making band ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN. BornVincenzo
Donato Bertucci in Serra San Bruno, Calabria Italy, he immigrated
to Toronto, Canada at the young age of six. Jimi lived in a large
household of relatives in Toronto's "little Italy”,
including his Uncle Sam who could play a variety of instruments
including the accordion and mandolin. Over time, Uncle Sam's
musical influence over the young Vincenzo would become profound.
After being the lucky winner of tickets from "Sam the Record
Man", Jimi went to see the Beatles perform Live at Maple
Leaf Gardens in Toronto at the impressionable age of 13. It was
following that monumental experience that he became inspired
to envision his life as a musician. The surprise gift of a Hofner
Beatle bass by his parents sealed his fate. He soon met another
local musician Ron Bartley and together they would form their
first group called "Just Us." They later added Bob
McPherson and Brian Cotterill to the group and, following a number
of name changes, the hit-making band "Abraham's Children"
was born. As the band’s principal songwriter, Jimi penned
their first national hit song called "Goodbye Farewell"
while signed to Gas Records. Other hits followed including Gypsy,
Thank You and Goddess Of Nature. The band toured heavily and
extensively to large enthusiastic crowds. Wanting to explore
other avenues with his music .GIF) Jimi
embarked in a different direction in 1976 leaving The Children
behind. Quick to recognize his talent, United Artists Records
wasted no time in signing Jimi. Finally, having the creative
freedom he had craved, he produced a pop-influenced band called
"Space Patrol" and later "Angel", a band
more on the R&B side. While on the A&M label in the 80’s,
Jimi formed the band "The Police" which gained an enthusiastic
following but who, due to disputes with the label, soon split.
With his newly formed band Jimi B in the 90's, he decided it
was time to get back on the road and did just that, appearing
at some of the more popular places in Hollywood such as The Roxy,
The Whisky, Club 369, The Vipor Room, Rumps and others. He continued
to tour and record all over the USA. As a prolific songwriter
and solo artist he released Through The Eyes of Vincenzo, along
with numerous other singles. Most recently, he has released some
of his poetry writings which are being critically well-received.
In 2004, after many requests from fans who wanted to see him
in Canada, Jimi reformed "Abraham's Children" and toured
the great white north. Although he was the only original member
of the band they played all the hits and satisfied a crowd that
for so long were anxious to see Jimi and The Children perform.
In 2005 the band was back on the road again promoting Jimi's
most recent project, a new double cd set titled "Abraham's
Children 30", that captures the last thirty years of pop
music with his band.This year Jimi released a collection of poetry
that has been well received in the literary world. Also in the
works is his involvement as writer and producer with his daughter
Julie. They have been in the studio doing some pre- production
and hope to release a cd in the near future. His plans remain
to be committed to his art, including touring and recording,
and doing what he does best, exploring music to its fullest,
cooking, surfing and snowboarding. (courtesy of jimib.com)
The Killing Road - We had a philosophy on the road: You can spend
the night, but don't use my toothbrush in the morning. How preposterously
arrogant. But as much as some don't like to admit, rock n roll
is a cavalier art. From the first day I picked up a guitar, I
felt my confidence was enhanced drastically, and in the process
the recognition of my talents exuded. I remember the first gig
I performed at was a dance at a boys and girls club. After we
finished our set, I was swarmed by pretty girls wanting my sole
attention. That was the beginning. My instrument became my addiction,
endless hours were spent honing my craft, in the basement of
my parents' home. I would sometimes feign...(more)
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THE POLICE X 2 : In 1981 The Police performed at The Piccadilly
Tube in Toronto, Canada. A short distance down the road at another
popular club, The Edge, another band performed with the same
name, only they were from England. While The Tube was filled
to capacity, The Edge appeared to have a coffee house atmosphere
which was odd because The Edge was more of an alternative club
that attracted up and coming bands with an edge. In August of
2000 during Stings tour, Jimi B had a chance encounter with Sting
. They reflected back upon their early days when they were both
performing in Toronto, within blocks of each other, headlining
with the same name...Police. They laughed about it all and reminisced
about those wondrous days of yore.
Quoting Sting..."Hey, it could have gone either way!"...Pictured
on the left are Ron Bartley (guitars & vocals) Danny
Smith (drums) Laurie Del Grande (guitar and keyboards) Jimi
B (bass & Vocals). Recently some tapes of ( read more)
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 JIMI B - Jimi B is actually
Jimi Bertucci, the active ingredient behind the defunct Abraham's
Children, a band that spent many an evening dodging fists at
the illustrious downtown Montebello Inn and Casualty Centre.
Jimi's still pretty face tells me he's held up his guard with
some determination over the years. This album is a reminder that
Toronto has plenty more good music to offer. - St. Catharines
Star ( read more ) |
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Canadian Cold Cuts - Jimi B (A&M) Jimi Bertucci's first album since
leaving Abraham's Children and Angel is worthy of his potential
as a solo artist, but it's variety has left his style to vague
to establish a focal point. The two-sided-split concept he attempts
here is emphasized by the cover photography -- wave experiments
and sweet rock. Side one is fast Side one is fast and trendy,
but falters at Shake and Touch Me when he mixes the wrong ingredients,
starting with the basic riffs. Honourable mention goes to O'Dee
an account of Jimi's experience with a hermaphrodite that is
as weird as it's unique. The flip side belongs to AM and FM respectively
with ballads Wickless Dynamite and Strange Feeling displaying
a strong point inhis writing and AOP anthem. QAll American Boy
flashing his his capability for an honest rocker. He penned all
the songs except Red White and Blue and Shake which was co-written
with BB Gabor......(more) |
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 Trippy trippy
hippie dah dah. MANNA was one of the first bands that Jimi put
together. Along with Chet Paszkowski on drums and Bruce Palait
on guitar, the trio would rehearse vigorously everyday in the
basement of Jimi's girlfriend's at Bathurst and Dundas. These
young lads, all of 16 years of age, had big and aspiring dreams.
Their music was original with a touch of psychedelic frosting.They
would tour, if you called getting to gigs touring, in an old
49 English Thames that Jimi owned. For all those that are not
familiar with this type of vehicle, it was an English Ford van,
the same one you see parked on the Beatles Abbey Road cover.
Their big break came when they went to Yorkville in the heart
of downtown Toronto, the hottest place for established up and
coming bands... Groups like John Kay and SteppenWolf, which at
that time were called Jack London and the Sparrows, David Clayton
Thomas and The Shays, A Stitch In Tyme, The Myna Bryds, Jon Lee
& The Checkmates and countless others. Jimi, Bruce and Chet
were walking along Yorkville and heard the sounds of acoustic
guitars playing in a place called The El Patio. The room was
empty and smokey and the musty smell of beer overwhelmed the
sounds of silence. They sat down and ordered ginger ales and
cokes. The boys were still a bit too young to indulge in the
brews. Jimi walked up to the owner, an older gentleman, and said,
" what you need here is a band like ours to attract an audience".
"Really" replied the owner. "Yes and we are the
ones to do it" said Jimi. "I tell you what, you guys
bring your instruments in tomorrow night and we'll see what you
sound like, no money understand, just free drinks", stated
the owner. " You have a deal ", Jimi said with a smile.
He walked over to Chet and Bruce and  told
them the exciting news. The next evening the band arrived with
a bunch of enthused friends. You could see by the look on the
owners face that he was pleased to have people in his establishment.
The band set up and the crowd showed their appreciation from
the get go. The band's music was young and fresh and, looking
over, you could see that the old Greek owner had a smile of approval
even though he kept saying it was too loud for such a small place.
Soon people would come down off the streets to see what all the
excitement was about. Needless to say, the band was a hit at
the El Patio. Over the next few weeks the crowds would increase
and the boys were actually getting paid. When we spoke to Jimi
about the Yorkville days he had this to say. " It was a
music revolution happening right before our eyes. The Toronto
scene was beginning. This would truly be the start of what would
later become musical history. I saw Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot,
Bruce Coburn and so many incredible performers. My biggest thrill
occurred during our breaks when I would go outside and sit with
Neil Young and sometimes smoke a joint, yes that's true. It was
not uncommon for people to be walking around the village smoking
at that time. The flower power was definitely among us."
Manna continued to play many gigs but, like most bands, internal
problems would soon bring their demise. Jimi Chet and Bruce had
a reunion in 2006 that brought them to George Semkiw's studio.
They recorded only one song for old times and they plan on getting
together to work on some more tracks. We wait and see. If you
have any photos of Manna we would be interested in seeing them.
 LISTEN
NOW TO PASSION & INNOCENCE..
MAYBE TOMORROW... WORKIN FOR THE MAN...I DO and if you like them
order the full cd.
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Space Patrol
from left Jimi B, Peter Verity , Glen Wilson and "Ruddy
Fab" As Jimi continued his relationship with United Artists
Records he began to grow immensely. His writing could be tailored
to the needs of the project he was developing or producing. One
of these projects was Space Patrol. A group of musicians from
the Ajax area just east of Toronto. Although the members had
very little recording experience Jimi would do his best to make
all involved to feel comfortable and at ease. The band recorded
4 songs at Eastern Sound, Toronto......but only Burning Love
would be released on the United Artists label.The band would
go on the road and do some scattered dates in the Ontario, and
Eastern Canada. Jimi did not want to tour or travel. He recommended
the group seek another singer bass player to replace him....he
had other projects to produce and wanted to spend more time closer
to home and in the studio. The band would eventually find a replacement
and would continue to tour across Canada. Peter Verity continues
to write and perform . He recently returned from Nashville where
he played to full houses. Space Patril released only one song
and the rest are in some vault at EMI...to bad. Want an 8X10
promotional copy to collect email
us. PLEASE
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 ABRAHAM'S
CHILDREN - JIMI B - NATOPUS - TRANS TROGGS - SPACE PATROL - ANGEL
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