Domenic Michele Antonio Troiano (January 17, 1946 – May 25, 2005) was an Italian–Canadian guitarist and songwriter, best known as a member of Mandala, Bush, the James Gang, and the Guess Who. He also recorded music for film and television, often made guest appearances on other musicians' albums, and worked as a producer.

Early life

Troiano was born in Modugno, Italy, and his family emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, during his childhood. He became a Canadian citizen in 1955.

Career

Early career

His first professional music work was in the early 1960s with a band fronted by Ronnie Hawkins. In 1965, Troiano joined a local Toronto band called the Five Rogues, which later found success as Mandala. The band achieved several hit singles in Canada, and played several times in the United States.

Mandala disbanded in 1969, after which Troiano and some of the other members formed the new band Bush. This band also found success in Canada and toured the United States; Three Dog Night recorded one of their songs. Troiano owned the rights to the band's name, which became an issue of media interest in the mid-1990s upon the emergence of the successful British rock band also called Bush. That band was temporarily forced to use the name "Bush<sup>x</sup>" in Canada, though Troiano offered a deal in which the band was allowed to use simply "Bush" in return for a donation to the Starlight Foundation and the Canadian Music Therapy Fund.

Bush, James Gang, and the Guess Who

In 1970, Troiano appeared on Axe, a solo album by the Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman, and collaborated with the Guess Who on an aborted movie soundtrack. This was the beginning of Troiano's association with that band, which he would join several years later. Troiano then announced a solo album, He appeared on the albums Straight Shooter and Passin' Thru, both released in 1972, but those albums failed to attain the popularity that the band had enjoyed before Walsh's departure. This was followed by his second solo album Tricky in 1973, displaying a jazz rock sound.

Troiano next joined the Guess Who in 1974, Cummings was unhappy with this new sound, and disbanded the long-running group in 1975.

Later career

Troiano then resumed his solo career, releasing three more solo albums by 1979. Meanwhile, Troiano formed another new band called Black Market, which released one album in 1981. He was also commemorated in a collection of music memorabilia at the Brunswick House pub and museum in Toronto.

Selected discography

With Mandala

  • Soul Crusade (1968)

With Bush

  • Bush (1970)

With James Gang

  • Straight Shooter (1972)
  • Passin' Thru (1972)

With the Guess Who

  • Flavours (1974)
  • Power in the Music (1975)

With Black Market

  • Changing of the Guard (1981)

The Domenic Troiano Band/Solo

  • Domenic Troiano (1972)
  • Tricky (1973)
  • Burnin' at the Stake (1977)
  • The Joke's on Me (1978)
  • Fret Fever (1979)
  • The Best of Domenic Troiano – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection (2003)

With others

  • David Clayton-Thomas, David Clayton–Thomas (RCA Victor, 1973)
  • Moe Koffman, If You Don't Know Me By Now... (Elektra, 1982)
  • Joe Cocker, Civilized Man (Capitol, 1984)
  • Matt Dusk, Two Shots (Decca, 2004)
  • Ronnie Hawkins, Still Cruisin (Hawk, 2002)
  • Eye to Eye, Shakespeare Stole My Baby (Warner Bros., 1983)
  • Diana Ross, Ross (RCA, 1983)

See also

  • Music of Canada
  • Canadian Music Hall of Fame

References

  • Domenic Troiano Official Website
  • Domenic Troiano Fan Website