TicketMOMster review: John Einarson’s Magical Musical History Tour Bus Ride
Worried you don’t know enough about the history of rock music in Winnipeg? There’s a bus tour for that: John Einarson’s Magical Musical History Tour Bus Ride.
If John Einarson ever succeeds in getting a Manitoba Music Museum off the ground, I vote when he passes (in the very distant future) we take his brain and put it in a glass jar on a single pedestal table at the front of the museum. Under the jar will be a sign that reads:
“HERE LIES ROCK HISTORIAN JOHN EINARSON’S BRAIN. YOU’LL NEVER LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT MUSIC AS THIS MAN…BUT COME ON IN AND GIVE IT A SHOT.”
Music historian John Einarson.
With that much music knowledge, it’s no wonder he talks fast. Make no mistake, it’s always entertaining, interesting stuff and I’m consistently blown away by how much he retains; but I tend to be a bit of a dreamer.
I’ve learned over the years, that if I drift for even a few minutes while John is talking, I’ll miss whole stories about local music history. I’ve taken this bus tour three times and I’m STILL learning things I didn’t know about music in Winnipeg.
What do you know about Winnipeg’s musical past? Do you remember the Cellar Club or the Blue Note? Which house did Burton Cummings write These Eyes in? Randy Bachman wrote the idea for Takin’ Care of Business in which house?
Did you know Levy’s Leathers are made right here in Winnipeg? I’ll give you a hint where they are: the largest independent mural in Canada wraps around three sides of the building.
Where did Neil Young live with his Mom? I won’t tell you the street (you have to take the tour to find out) but this is a picture I took from the tour bus of Neil’s old house.
Neil Young’s house in Winnipeg; part of Einarson’s musical history tour.
/ANNE MARTIN
One of my favourite stories on the tour is when a stranger knocked on the front door of that house. The current owners opened the door and there was a man standing before them like a musical oracle in his leather pants and cowboy boots. He asked if this was the house Neil Young grew up in and if he could look around.
That man was Bob Dylan.
It’s at this point in the tour where I daydream the most. Can you imagine? You’re sitting there watching Netflix, eating Doritos in your underwear, when you hear a knock at the door. You open the door and there’s Bob Dylan. This would be my train of thought:
1. Oh my God, it’s Bob Dylan. What’s he doing here?
2. Holy smokes…he’s actually talking to me and he wants a tour of my house.
3. OH. CRAP. The bathroom is filthy.
At this point I’d politely excuse myself while my husband made polite conversation with BOB DYLAN. I’d race around the house chucking Lego and dirty clothes under the beds and dusting tables with the sleeve of my housecoat.
Then we would start the tour and he would absorb whatever remaining Neil Young vibes he wanted from the house while I strategically steered him clear of the bathroom. Then he would get back into his cab and this encounter would become the best party story of all time.
End of daydream.
Usually we’re in a different part of the city when I come back to reality. So…I have no idea what I’ve missed on the tour, but I’m sure it was entertaining.
Do I recommend this bus tour? Absolutely. Especially if you’re interested in the history of music in Winnipeg and/or experienced music in some shape or form in the 60’s and 70’s.
There’s tons of interesting stories, so if you’re a dreamer like me, be sure to eat your Wheaties and bring your A-game because you won’t want to miss a thing.
Here’s how to book your tour (only three left – the next one is July 21): http://heartlandtravel.ca/book-a-tour/magical-musical-history-tour/
TicketMOMster is a Rock and Jazz-loving Mom; single-handedly keeping Ticketmaster alive in Winnipeg. Follow her musical journey here: www.facebook.com/TicketMOMsters
