It’s been seven years since beloved local radio host, indie music champion and tastemaker Dave “Bookie” Bookman passed away, at age 58, and two of his friends, veteran promoter Elliott Lefko and musician Stephen Stanley, are putting on the third annual tribute show in his memory.
The concert and foodraiser — presented by Departure and Indie 88 — is stacked with 30 local artists and a killer backing band, happening on May 9 at The Garrison. All the artists will play a song by American rock band Big Star, one of Bookie’s favourites. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Daily Bread Food Bank.
“I love working on this show with Elliott to honour our friend Dave,” Stanley told Now. “The spirit we seem to capture one night a year, for three years in a row now, is really the spirit Dave brought to life every day. He loved music and his friends, so bringing this all together just makes sense. An entire community wants to keep Dave’s spirit alive.
“I’ll be here for it for as long as I’m able,” he added, “but wow, I drown in the memory of my friend as we get closer to the show. I miss Dave so much, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that.”
Bookie was a long time DJ at CFNY/102.1 The Edge, then newer station Indie 88, who interviewed and befriended tons of artists. He fell ill on April 12, 2019, and passed away on May 21, 2019, a devastating loss to his friends, family and music community.
His influence, as a champion of undiscovered music is commemorated by a Heritage Toronto plaque outside the Horseshoe Tavern, where he co-curated Nu Music Nite for 24 years. The free Tuesday night showcase gave opportunities to hundreds of unsigned acts, not yet ready for a weekend slot, but it also landed major names such as The Strokes, Thom Yorke, Foo Fighters, Matchbox 20, and Linkin Park.
The year before his death, he was given the Unsung Hero Award from the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA).
Lefko, vice president of AEG Goldenvoice, who started as an indie promoter in Toronto, bringing such acts as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pixies, Nirvana to the city in the early days, was close friends with Bookie. “We used to take road trips and we’d sit in his living room and listen to music until late at night,” he told Now.
“After he passed away, I wanted to do something to keep his memory alive and at the same time play the kind of music that we both used to listen to. So, I thought of this idea of having a bunch of musicians play that music in a concert and make the admission an item of non-perishable food because Dave and I used to do these food bank shows at Christmas every year that were really popular, and it’s nice to give people a break, and not charge any money.”
The tribute shows take one band Bookie loved and asks each performer to cover one of their songs. The previous two years were The Tragically Hip and The Replacements. This year, it’s Big Star. The night is titled “I’m in Love with That Song,” a play on the Big Star track “I’m In Love With a Girl,” by its singer Alex Chliton.
Bouncing up on stage for one song each are a long list of friends and admirers: Aaron Goldstein, Altered by Mom, Anna Mernieks (Beams), Charlotte Cornfield, Craig Daniels, Drew Smith, Gentleman Reg, Geordie Gordon, Graven, John Borra, John Critchley, José Contreras (By Divine Right), Josh Salter, Katie Cruel, Kevan Byrne & Rebecca Campbell (Cut Flowers), Kiwi Jr., Kristi Lane Sinclair, Kyla Marlena, Lee Rose (Ace of Wands), Madfolk, Nightmares In The Afternoon, Nixon Boyd, Piner, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Shakura S’Aida, Shaun Bowring, TAURO, Triples, Wax Mannequin, and ZINNIA.
The backing band, a.k.a. The Bookie Band, is comprised of Ian Blurton, drummer Jody Brumell, guitarist Jud Ruhl, bassist Anna Ruddick, keyboardist Geordie Gordon, and The Garrison Horns.
“The funny thing about Big Star is that a lot of people, if you said their name, they wouldn’t know who they are,” said Lefko. “It’s so niche, and, but the music is so good. So, at the same time, I think I’m doing it as much for Dave as I am doing it for myself, just to hear those songs performed.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. There are two sets: 8-9:30pm and 10-11:30 pm. The Garrison is located at 1197 Dundas St. W.
