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The following information reconstructs Bruce's day-to-day activities between 1960-1969.
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1970's
Parents buy Bruce a Kay arch top acoustic-electric guitar. Bruce takes gitar lessons upon the insistance of his parents. Source: Schwartz, Jim. "Bruce Cockburn: Canadian Fingerstylist, Pop Troubador." Guitar Player. December 1980. pp. 38-42.
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Played in a band called The Jades, earliest known recording.
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Summer. Paris, France. Street musician.
September, 1964 to 1966
Boston, MA. Student at Berklee College of Music. Also played in a lot of pick up bands and jug bands in the Boston area. Sources: Schwartz, Jim. "Bruce Cockburn: Canadian Fingerstylist, Pop Troubador." Guitar Player. December 1980. pp. 38-42, and the Canadian Encylcopedia of Rock, Pop and Folk Music.
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Bruce acquires a Gibson ES-175 acoustic-electric guitar. Source: Schwartz, Jim. "Bruce Cockburn: Canadian Fingerstylist, Pop Troubador." Guitar Player. December 1980. pp. 38-42.
1965
Performed in the band the Esquires in Ottawa. Other members of the Esquires (at one time or another) included Mike Argue, John Cassidy, Gary Comeau, Robert Couthart, Ted Gerow, Bob Harrington, Bert Hurd, Clint Hierlihy, Paul Huot, Bernie Jessome, Brian Lewis, Don Norman, Doug Orr, Richard Patterson, and Gail Thompson. A bit of trivia -- the Esquires made Canada's first music video (The Man from Adano) in 1964. Sources: Ruhlmann, William. "A Burning Light and All the Rest." Goldmine. April 3, 1992, and the Canadian Encylcopedia of Rock, Pop and Folk Music.
The Esquires (with Bruce Cockburn) release a single on Capital records "Love's Made a Fool of You" with "Summertime" on the b-side.
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Summer. Ottawa, Ontario. Joined the band "The Children." Other members of The Children include Bill Hawkins, Sneezy Waters (Chris Anderson; see note following this listing), Neville Wells, Sandy Crawley, and former Esquires colleague Richard Patterson. Later David Wiffen would join the band. Source: Encyclopedia of Canadian Rock, Pop and Folk Music. Note: This source may be in error -- Sneezy Waters' name is actually Peter Hodson.
May 29, 1966. Ottawa, ON. Performance at Le Hibou by The Children. The Children become regular Sunday and Monday night features at Le Hibou. Sources: Personal notes of Dale Burnside; Ruhlmann, William. "A Burning Light and All the Rest." Goldmine. April 3, 1992.
Bruce also becomes a member of a band called Heavenly Blue. Bruce plays the organ and harmonica. The band plays Friday evenings at Le Hibou. Source: Personal notes of Dale Burnside.
June 18, 1966. Ottawa, Ontario. Performance by The Children at the Ottawa Coliseum at the Big 12 show.
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Ottawa, Ontario. Early in the year The Children make demo recordings.
Bruce makes his first solo performance at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Source: The Canadian Encylcopedia of Rock, Pop and Folk Music.
Canadian group Three's A Crowd records at least three of Bruce's songs ("The Way She Smiles," "Bird Without Wings," and "View From Pompous Head") on an album titled Christopher's Movie Matinee, ABC/Dunhill DS-50030. A fourth tune, ("Gnostic Serenade") is credited to Bruce but it was actually written by Bill Hawkins. The album was produced by Mama Cass Elliott. Two of the songs were co-written with Bill Hawkins. "Cotton Candy," which was credited to Bruce was actually penned by Bill Hawkins. Sources: Ruhlmann, William. "A Burning Light and All the Rest." Goldmine. April 3, 1992; and personal notes of Steve Graham.
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Ottawa, Ontario? Appears with the group Three's A Crowd on Canadian television. Performs one of Bruce's tunes "Electrocution of the Word." Source: Personal notes of Gavin Mudd.
March 19, 1968. Montreal, PQ. Performance. Opens for Jimi Hendrix! Source: Audrey Pearson and Andy Fritz.
1969
Bruce acquires Martin 000-18 and D-18 acoustic guitars as well as a Fender Telecaster electric guitar. Source: Schwartz, Jim. "Bruce Cockburn: Canadian Fingerstylist, Pop Troubador." Guitar Player. December 1980. pp. 38-42.
Joins the folk group Threes a Crowd [others dispute this claim]. Source: The Canadian Encylcopedia of Rock, Pop and Folk Music.
Performances at the Riverboat Club in Toronto. Source: Personal notes of Barry Wright.
July. Toronto, Ontario. Penned "Let Us Go Laughing."
Source: Liner notes from High Winds White Sky.
Summer or early fall. Bruce is featured in a CBC documentary about the Mariposa Folk Festival. Bruce performs "Thoughts On A Rainy Afternoon." Source: Personal notes of Barry Wright.
September 28, 1969. Ottawa, Ontario. Penned "Clocks
Don't Bring Tomorrow -- Knives Don't Bring Good News." Source:
Liner notes from Night Vision.
September 28, 1969. Montreal, Quebec. Penned "Happy
Good Morning Blues." Source: Liner notes from High Winds
White Sky.
December. Toronto, Ontario. Recorded album Bruce Cockburn.
Source: Liner notes from Bruce Cockburn.
Winter. Cumberland, Ontario. Penned "Life's Mistress."
Source: Liner notes from High Winds White Sky.
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Last updated: April 1, 1997