Sudbury will be represented at Canada's Walk of Fame in September.
“It just gives me goose bumps, just thinking about it," said Norm McIntosh, musical director of Evolutionary.
Confederation Secondary School's Evolutionary Band will be featured in Bob Ezrin’s tribute video at the CWOF induction ceremony on Sept. 21, 2013.
Ezrin, a Canadian music producer, is best known for his work with KISS and Pink Floyd.
“Out of all the high school or elementary schools that Bob could’ve asked to appear in his tribute video, he picked Evolutionary," said McIntosh.
Evolutionary is a 24-piece rock band supported by a 16-member stage crew. They have recorded at many professional sound studios, and currently hold the Guinness World Record for “Deepest Concert Underground (2007)".
When the band members first heard the news, they couldn’t believe it.
“I called them into the school to tape them for the tribute video and they did not know why I called them in,” said McIntosh. “After I told them, you know that look you get from kids, that look of disbelief? Like, you’re lying to me, man!”
“I was actually shocked because we were getting the chance to be in Bob Ezrin’s tribute video,” said Morgan Williston, first-year vocalist for Evolutionary. “It's really an honour for us because he’s done so much for us and we couldn’t thank him enough for that.”
Jarod Franke, first-year keyboardist for Evolutionary, had a similar reaction.
“I was honoured that of all the schools he could have picked for his tribute video, he picked us.”
Alongside Terry Fox and six other Canadians, Ezrin will be inducted into CWOF this September for his outstanding work in music production.
“He did all those Alice Cooper albums, he did KISS albums, and he did 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd. It just goes on and on,” said McIntosh. “I’m sure that Evolutionary will be in good company when that video comes up on the screen.”
Evolutionary recorded their video footage for the tribute video on July 16, 2013 at Confederation.
“Bob’s got a very soft spot in his heart for Evolutionary,” said McIntosh. “He saw them back in 2003…at a Mother’s Day concert at our school, and he fell in love with them instantly. The feeling is mutual.”
McIntosh first met Ezrin after hearing him speak about the importance of music education at a Juno Awards Ceremony.
“When I heard him, I thought, 'I’ve got to get a hold of this guy,'” said McIntosh. “Ever since then, he’s been a great friend and a great supporter of me and the band.”
Last year, Ezrin was instrumental in Bryan Adams signing a guitar for Evolutionary. This week, Gene Simmons is signing a bass guitar to help Evolutionary fundraise, thanks to Ezrin’s support.
“It’s a great passion with Bob — music education. He’s been to hundreds of schools, maybe thousands now, throughout Canada and the U.S., helping to promote music education,” said McIntosh.
Evolutionary has great things in store for them. Negotiations are presently going on between a noted music and film recording company and several Canadian broadcasting companies to make Evolutionary the subject of a 13-part television series.
“Where we live and what we do, the kids don’t think that they’re worth it, but they are,” said McIntosh.
The CWOF induction ceremony will be broadcast live on Global and Slice this fall.
Follow Evolutionary on Facebook to receive updates on the tribute video and the Gene Simmons guitar raffle: www.facebook.com/evolutionaryfanandinformationpage.
Dylan Callens filmed the tribute video footage, with many parents and band/crew members in attendance.
Jordyn Fitzgerald is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
