Kim Mitchell

Kim Mitchell
Background information
Born	July 10, 1952 (1952-07-10) (age 57) in Sarnia, Ontario
Genres	Rock, Hard rock, Progressive rock
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1975 - present
Labels	Anthem, Alert
Associated acts	Max Webster
Website	http://www.kimmitchell.ca

Joseph Kim Mitchell (born July 10, 1952 in Sarnia, Ontario) is a Canadian guitarist. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career. He is currently a radio show host for CILQ-FM (Q107) in Toronto.

Early life

During the 1970s, Mitchell began playing with local bands in Sarnia. After going through a few name changes with essentially the same band, Mitchell and "Zooom" headed for Toronto, Ontario. Zooom eventually dissolved, with Mitchell travelling to the Greek islands.

Career

On his return to Canada, he formed the band Max Webster with fellow Sarnia native Pye Dubois. Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.

In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and remains his best known song outside of his native Canada. The song was also featured in the opening scene of the 1985 Miami Vice episode Buddies. More recently, it was also featured by American Dad, in the episode A.T. the Abusive Terrestrial. The song was later used by Trailer Park Boys in the episode "We Can't Call People Without Wings Angels So We Call Them Friends". His most successful Canadian album was the follow-up, 1986's Shakin' Like a Human Being, featuring the hits "Alana Loves Me", "Easy to Tame", and the biggest hit of his career, "Patio Lanterns".

In 1992, Mitchell played guitar on the track Brave and Crazy from Tom Cochrane's album Mad Mad World. In that same year he also made a cameo appearance (as himself) on the third season finale of the popular Canadian sketch program The Kids in the Hall.

2004 to Present

In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drivetime host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107 (CILQ-FM)^[1] . He also opened for Def Leppard at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto on July 16, 2007. His eighth studio album, entitled "Ain't Life Amazing" was released on July 17, 2007.^[2]

In 2006, Mitchell provided a guitar solo on the song "Wind It Up" from the Barenaked Ladies' album Barenaked Ladies Are Me.

The Kim Mitchell Band is his longtime musical partner of 26 years, Peter Fredette on bass and vocals, Chris Sutherland on drums, and Don Breithaupt on keyboards and vocals.

Discography

Mitchell at the Fergus Truck Show, 2008

Max Webster

• 1975 Max Webster (Gold)
• 1977 High Class in Borrowed Shoes (Gold)
• 1978 Mutiny Up My Sleeve (Gold)
• 1979 A Million Vacations (Platinum)
• 1979 Live Magnetic Air (Gold)
• 1980 Universal Juveniles (Gold)
• 1981 Diamonds Diamonds (Gold)
• 1989 The Best of Max Webster(Gold)

Solo

• 1980 Kim Mitchell
• 1984 Akimbo Alogo (Platinum)
• 1986 Shakin' Like A Human Being (Triple Platinum)
• 1989 Rockland (Double Platinum)
• 1990 I Am A Wild Party (Live) (Platinum)
• 1992 Aural Fixations (Gold)
• 1994 Itch
• 1995 Greatest Hits (Platinum)
• 1999 Kimosabe
• 2005 Fill your head with rock
• 2007 Ain't Life Amazing

Singles

Guest singles

Juno Awards

Mitchell has been awarded several Juno Awards for his work:

• 1983 - Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year
• 1987 - Album of the Year - Shakin' Like A Human Being
• 1990 - Male Vocalist of the Year

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (January 2008)

• Mitchell also made a cameo appearance on the show Twitch City.
• Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies was in the 1984 video for All We Are when he was 14.
• In Season 7 Of the Trailer Park Boys Ricky played one of Mitchell's classic songs, "Go For Soda", on 8 track, while exclaiming "Julian, let's get drunk, do drugs and get er goin' on the Mitchell.^[3] Mitchell also appeared on the Canadian sitcom The Kids in the Hall during a sketch where he teaches senior citizens how to tune the electric guitar.

Family

Kim Mitchell has two sons, Josh and Jesse. Jesse works for his father as a drum tech and road manager.

See also

• Max Webster
• Canadian rock
• Music of Canada
• Juno Award

References

External links

• Kim Mitchell - The lovelorn troubadour
• Kim Mitchell Music Summary
• Kim Mitchell Official Website
• Kim Mitchell Biography