Topics in this post:

1. Update on the book – THE BOOK IS DONE!!!!!
2. May 16^th Book launch in Toronto at the 3030 (3030 Dundas West).
3. By the Way With Ray

1) THE BOOK IS DONE!!!!!
I uploaded RAY CONDO’S ROCK’N’ROLL PARTY to the publishing site yesterday!
It will be delivered by May 13, in time for the release party at the 3030, which is excellent, because a release party with no book would be kind of silly, although the musical line-up is more than worth the visit. I didn’t mean for it to be so close to the wire, but students of life will understand.
The wonderful Lily Frost has written a beautiful foreword to the book, which is laid out across 7 pages, illustrated with 6 photos related to the text.
It’s beautiful…and not just like a mother would love, There are 63 pages , and 62 have images on them. In all, there are 130 images, some black and white, some colour. The book is laid out in a series of two page spreads. in graphic novel format. Each spread relates to a particular show, era or venue, with a table of contents at the front to help review favourite images and an afterword from me about the book.
This is much larger than the campaign promise:

“This 40 page book  would include 50 – 70 images, personal recollections, and shared stories about Ray and the community around him.”

I just didn’t feel the story could be told in fewer pages. I tried to include all the important shows I had recorded, the release parties, big events, personal photos, special people. I missed a few, but not for lack of trying.
Over the last few days, the search for negatives that I was sure existed led to the development of 14 rolls of film from the freezer (after carefully thawing it in stages). I was looking for the last New Years Eve show at The Marine Club, and a photo of Ian Tiles to include and some better pictures of Steve Taylor.  Sadly, I think that roll got destroyed when my camera was broken and the tech opened it without realizing there was film inside.
It’s been a personally wonderful thing to relive this most exhilarating period of my life and there have been many exciting discoveries, like finding the falafel picture. It comes with a long story, so you’ll find that below.
It would have been nice to post regular updates about the progress of the book design as it was taking place, I always enjoy doing that and getting feedback, but this has been a most unusual few months. There were some obstacles along the way, so it was a long forced march to get the book done on time for Ray’s birthday, so updates were jettisoned in favour of concentrating on production.

2) Rockabilly Shakeup #17 is May 16^th and is the Book launch in Toronto!
At the 3030 (3030 Dundas West).
Rockhouse T.O. presents: Rock-A-Billy Shake-up #17!
There is a long list of great musicians coming to that show, including performances by:
Lily Frost, Teddy Fury, Matt Allen (The Swingin’ Blackjacks), Colonel Tom Parker, Alex Pangman, Big Rude Jake, Steve Good (Tennessee Voodoo Coupe), James Henry (The Millwinders), Alistair Christl, Mr. Rick, Julie Seddon Faris, Billy T (The HellBent Rockers), Eric Sandmark (original Hardrock Goner!), plus special guests from Montreal, The Bobby Dove Band, and spinning wild rockin’ wax, DJ Rockin’ Dave Faris!
3)  By The Way With Ray

I’m absolutely THRILLED to have found my single favourite picture of Ray! This one has eluded me for almost 25 years.
It was shot the first time he stayed at my place with the band (he’d usually crashed with someone else before then), and he…(more)