Norfolk's "One-Of-A-Kind" a true stylist on the piano. Who, for many years treated his audiences and friends to piano playing his way, with authenticity. A rhythm uniquely his own that always kept the toes tapping. Many a sharp rhythm and blues band have had the privilege of his qualified solid backing. JD loved the outdoors, being a gold prospector, a story teller with a great sense of humour, an-all-around-fun-to-be-with-good-guy, that was friend to so many... "R.I.P" JD - July 26, 2019
J.D. Hamilton and James Atkinson are veterans of the Simcoe music scene, playing in a rock band called The Atkinson Brothers. They were invited by the county to be at the unveiling of a road sign at Blayney to commemorate the "Stomping Grounds of Rick Danko."
Hamilton, a keyboard player, went to high school at the same time as Danko. He played with Danko in a band called "The Starlights" and remembers playing Port Dover's Summer Garden, the Highlands in Long Point and the Hillcrest in Simcoe.
"It was 1960, we played traditional rock 'n' roll," Hamilton recalls from his home in downtown Simcoe. "Rick sang and played guitar. We know him now as a bass player, but he was a helluva lead guitarist. I think we only played three shows and then Ronnie Hawkins came to town and took him away from us."
Atkinson was a neighbour of the Dankos. Both he and Rick came from self-taught musical families. Atkinson's father, Stan, was a musical mentor to Danko. After, Danko left town, first with Hawkins and then with "The Band". Atkinson went on to perform with Hawkins along with Danko's younger brother, Terry. When Rick Danko recorded his first solo album in 1977, he invited Terry and Atkinson to Los Angeles to help him record it.
"Rick was so well thought of by those British rockers, they lined up at the door to be on that album," Atkinson recalls. "Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood (of the Rolling Stones) both play guitar on it."
Atkinson and Hamilton are still playing the music they grew up with. As the Atkinson Brothers Band they performed at a private party held at Burning Kiln winery for many of the production workers who put on the "Gentlemen of the Road (Mumford & Sons) Stopover Tour"; A sold-out show in Simcoe consisting of 25,000 people in honour of "Ricky Danko" and "The Band". Graham Rockingham @ thespec.com
A memorable evening on the cliff at Port Ryerse with lots of friends and great music. Left to right, JD Hamilton "Piano Man", Cal Dodd, Dick Goodlet and Roy Kenner of the "James Gang".
