Classic Song 28 - Max Webster "Lily"

Let's talk about a classic, yet highly underrated band.

Toronto's Max Webster, to be exact.

Formed in 1973 by guitarist/vocalist/composer, Kim Mitchell,

'Max' was an awesomely talented assemblage of musicians,

dedicated not only to the creation of timeless music, but 

also to its league of diehard, battle hardened fans 

who followed Kim and his merry cohorts 

anywhere...... and everywhere.

I know. I, myself was one of those fanatic fans.

I had the pleasure of seeing the initial Max Webster lineup,

including Mitchell, bassist Mike Tilka, gifted keyboardist,

Terry Watkinson and future bandmate, Paul Kersey on

drums. Having arrived in Toronto just after Max's

formation, and being perpetually out of work,

I tried to catch as many of their shows as

possible. Whether they were at Larry's 

Hideaway, The Gasworks, The Knob 

Hill or The Piccadilly Tube (all long

since shut down and relegated to

the dust of my memory banks),

Max Webster truly were a

fearless and fearsome 

band to behold.

Especially for a twenty year old kid from Castlegar.

Here's "Lily", a scintillating standout track from their 

debut album. Featuring words by band lyricist, 

Pye Dubois, "Lily" still sounds to me like a 

ballad that's been mashed up with a 

progressive rock rhythm section, 

yielding a sound that is at 

once pervasive, evasive 

and - iconically -

'Max Webster'.

Prior to playing the song, have a gander at a late 70s 

photo I found of Kim, pointing the way....

Mozz the Elder

www.vapormusic.com