Boulevard (Canadian band)

Boulevard is a Canadian band (originally abbreviated Blvd) formed in 1983 in Calgary by Mark Holden (saxophone/vocals). After releasing two studio albums, they disbanded in 1991. They reunited 23 years later, in 2014, and played at Firefest in Nottingham, England. They released their third studio album in September 2017.

Boulevard
Also known asBlvd
OriginCalgary, Alberta, Canada
GenresRock, arena rock, hard rock
Years active1983-1991, 2014-present
LabelsMCA Canada
Associated actsBoston, Glass Tiger
MembersMark Holden
Dave Corman
David Forbes
Andrew Johns
Cory Curtis
Randall Stoll
Past membersRandy Gould
Randy Burgess
Jerry Adolphe
Tom Christiansen

History

In 1983, Mark Holden, co-founded the new Thunder Road Studio in Calgary, Alberta. Shortly thereafter, he started a studio project called Modern Minds using studio players in Calgary. In 1984 he asked Andrew Johns to join as keyboard player and lead vocalist while redoing some of the old demos. Meanwhile, they signed with CBS records in Germany. The band then traveled to Germany to make a video for the first single, "Rainy Day In London", and to perform on television shows Ronny's Pop Show and Bananas. The single topped out at #45 on the Billboard charts in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

The band was then assembled, including Randy Gould on guitar, Jerry Adolphe on drums, Hans Sahlen on bass and Andrew Johns on keyboards and vocals, and new lead vocalist David Forbes. The group remained in Calgary until it ended up signing a deal with MCA records in 1988, and consequently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, to procure management with the Bruce Allen talent agency. Randy Burgess replaced Hans on bass and vocals.[1]

Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Ocean Sound in Vancouver by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser. The album produced four singles with videos for "Never Give Up" and "Far From Over". The band gained exposure by touring Canada opening for Glass Tiger. They also opened for Boston on the final leg of the Third Stage tour.

By 1990, Boulevard had revised their lineup with Thom Christiansen on bass (formerly of Idle Eyes, later to play with Econoline Crush, Josh Kelly) and Randall Stoll on drums. (Randall later moved on to play with k.d. lang and Tom Cochrane.) They recorded Into the Street at Venture Studios in Vancouver with John Punter and released two singles in Canada. The band broke up by 1991.

In 2013 singer David Forbes came back to the music scene, taking part as guest on Charming Grace, an AOR all-star project founded by members of Shining Line and Wheels Of Fire, officially released the same year by Avenue Of Allies Music.[2] The band was invited to play at Firefest in 2014.

After a 25-year hiatus, the band released Boulevard - Live from Gastown, a DVD which features all five of the band's Canadian top 40 singles, as well as some tracks from the band's catalog, including some songs performed live in their entirety for the first time. The DVD was filmed live on February 27, 2015 at Vancouver's legendary Warehouse studio.[3]

On July 16, 2017, the band released the first song from their reunion record. The song, "Life Is A Beautiful Thing", was aired live on the Steve Price Rock Show on ArFM. The following day, Melodicrock.com announced the name of the new album as Luminescence. It was released on September 22, 2017.[4]

Members

Current line-up
  • David Forbes - lead vocals
  • Dave Corman - guitars
  • Andrew Johns - keyboards/vocals
  • Mark Holden - saxophone
  • Cory Curtis - bass
  • Randall Stoll - drums[5]

Discography

Albums

Singles
  • "Rainy Day in London" (1984)
  • "In the Twilight" (1988)
  • "Never Give Up" (1988) CAN #23
  • "Far From Over" (1988) CAN #26
  • "Dream On" (1988) CAN #31
  • "Lead Me On" (1990) CAN #21
  • "Crazy Life" (1990) CAN #47
  • "Need You Tonight"

DVDs
  • Live from Gastown (2015)

References
  1. Jackson, Rick. ,,Encyclopedia of Canadian rock, pop and folk, (1994). p. 48. Quarry Press
  2. "Charming Grace - Charming Grace CD. Heavy Harmonies Discography". Heavyharmonies.com. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  3. "Boulevard: Live From Gastown". Reelhouse.org. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  5. "Boulevard (Canada)". Facebook.com. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
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