Ken Kalmusky

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Ken Kalmusky
Ken Kalmusky

Ken Kalmusky is a Canadian musician. He was born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, November 18th 1945, to saxophonist Walter Kalmusky (JoJo Kalmusky) and mother Mary Kalmusky.

Ken's first childhood band The Revols, would consist of members, including Ken, that would contribute music that has been heard around the world, on records, on television, in movies, and written about in books. Members of The Revols included Ken, John Till (later a member of Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band), and Richard Manuel (piano player, and singer for Bob Dylan, and The Band).

Ken left The Revols to become one of the original members of Ronnie Hawkins' band The Hawks, traveling North America, with Ronnie, at age 16. One of the stories chronicled on page 65 of Barney Hoskyns' novel Across The Great Divide The Band and America, is Ken, Richard Manuel, John Till, and the original Hawks taking Ronnie's Cadillac for a joy ride in Memphis, and being taken to jail (Ken was under age and taken to juvenile lockup) as they were suspected of stealing the car. When they called Ronnie, with their one phone call, he said "Check the dipstick"; the oil dipstick of the Cadillac had "Ronnie Hawkins" engraved on it.

After nearly a decade of touring with Ronnie, Ian Tyson called The Hawk, and told him he needed a bass player in New York City, within a day or two. Ronnie recommended Kenny, who got on a plane, flew to New York, and joined Ian and Sylvia, in forming the band The Great Speckled Bird.

This band contributed "Four Strong Winds", "Flies In A Bottle", "Trucker's Cafe" and went on to have songs recorded by Neil Young and Bob Dylan. They introduced their friend Gordon Lightfoot's music to the world, and were featured in the recently released film The Festival Express.

While in The Great Speckled Bird, managed by Albert Grossman (manager for Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and founder of Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York), Kenny played on records with Jerry Reed, Amos Garrett, Todd Rundgren, and toured the world, playing stages from Massey Hall, to The Grand Ole Opry.

In 1968, while playing in Hollywood, Ken's wife Sandra, 8 1/2 months pregnant, returned to Stratford, Ontario, Canada to give birth to their first child, Kim Kalmusky. Ken remained on tour, and making records in Nashville, New York, and Toronto, as well as filming the television show The Great Speckled Bird for the CBC, for 2 more years until 1970.

In 1970, after the birth of his second child David Kalmusky, Ken returned to, and settled in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario, where it all started with Richard Manuel, John Till, and The Revols in 1958.

Ken formed a Stratford based band Plum Loco with his former band mate (Revols and Janis Joplin's guitarist), John Till and remained an active session musician, playing on dozens of recordings. As freelance bassist, Ken returned to Ronnie Hawkins' band several times through the 70's and 80's, worked with David Clayton Thomas (of Blood Sweat and Tears), Jack De Kaiser, King Biscuit Boy, Buffy Saint Marie, Jake Leiske (of Canadian Juno Awarded Farmer's Daughter), and as a session bassist, for son, producer David Kalmusky.

In 2005 Plum Loco released an album, recorded at Ken's brother, Bob Kalmusky's studio, just before his death. Plum Loco continues, with John Till's son, Shawn Till, on Bass.

Ken's 2 year battle with cancer ended in Stratford Ontario, on October 19th 2005, survived by wife Karen, ex-wife Sandra, and children Kim, and David.

Ken's contributions to the music industry have been noted in Barney Hoskyns' novel, Across The Great Divide, Nicholas Jennings' novel, Before The Gold Rush, Levon Helm's novel This Wheel's on Fire, on radio, and television for the last 40 years, and can be seen in the movie The Festival Express.

[edit] Photo gallery

Ken Kalmusky with Ian and Sylvia in 1969

The Revols in 1957

The Revols in 1958

Richard, Ken, John from the Revols at The Band's Studio in Woodstock New York 1984

The Fab Four TV Show

Fab Four Concert Ticket

[edit] References