Harlequin was originally formed in the mid-seventies. After several demos and trips to Toronto, Harlequin was finally discovered playing in a tiny bar in Toronto by representatives of Jack Douglas, legendary producer of Aerosmith, Patti Smith and John Lennon. Ironically, the scouts for Douglas' company had actually intended to see Goddo, the band playing downstairs, but were turned away due to a sold old show. Instead they retired upstairs to a much smaller bar - only to be blown away by the band, playing a high-energy set of strong original songs for only a handful of people. This chance meeting led to a production deal with Douglas.
With Douglas’ help, Harlequin signed a deal with CBS/Epic (home to Cheap Trick and Eddie Money) in 1979. The band proceeded to amaze everyone at the label by pushing the first release Victim of a Song (1979) to gold status through sheer hard-work, incessant touring, word of mouth and solid song-writing. Songs like “Sweet Things in Life”, “You are the Light” and “Survive” introduced the band to radio to many markets in Canada - especially Western Canada.
The second release, Love Crimes (1980), came with a bigger push from the label, and went on to go Platinum, powered in part by Harlequin's biggest hit to date “Innocence”. Another track, "Thinking of You" became a staple of rock radio, and a highlight of the live show.
One False Move (1982) cemented the band's radio success with tunes like "I Did it for Love”, “Superstitious Feeling” and "Heart Gone Cold”. The fourth album, eponymously titled, featured a change of direction as well as producer - Alfie Agius, former bassist with The Fixx, replaced Jack Douglas. This album produced one single "Take this Heart" and the band's only video, filmed at the abandoned Don jail in Toronto by Juno-winning Champagne Productions.
The next album was the Radio Romances greatest hits package, which also featured a new tune (written by Tom Cochrane) entitled "No Mystery".
The current line-up of the band released Waking the Jester in 2007. It had two singles which touched every continent of the world, "Shine On" and "Rise". In 2009 the band released On/Q the first live compilation featuring songs representing the band from inception to 2009.
Harlequin was and still remains, something of a work-horse of the Canadian road, soldiering through multiple Cross-Canada tours, and working with such bands as Triumph, Streetheart, Nazareth, Heart, April Wine, Pat Benatar and Saga. Unlike many bands of their era, Harlequin is still a staple of rock radio in Canada, where the band's old and new hits still receive remarkable amounts of airplay. Fuelled by this continued success at radio, the band still tours, gaining new fans all the time, and attracting anyone who loves Canadian rock at its finest.
On May 24th, Harlequin is set to perform at The Lido... Call to reserve your tickets ASAP!
GENERAL SEATS: $40 (available at Systems, the FSJ Visitor Info Centre and The Lido)
RESERVATIONS: $45 (reservations are for groups of 4 or more) – Call The Lido to RESERVE a table or booth
AT THE DOOR: $50 (we rarely have tickets available to sell at the door, so don’t wait too long…)
Call to reserve: 250-785-3011
