Fathead is a multiple

Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...

and Maple Blues award-winning Canadian blues band, founded by Al Lerman and originally formed with members Mike Fitzpatrick,

Ted Leonard Theodore Michael Leonard (born September 22, 1971) is an American vocalist and guitarist, best known as the lead singer for the progressive rock band Enchant. He has also provided lead vocals for Thought Chamber, Spock's Beard, and Pattern-S ...

, John Mays and Bob Tunnoch.

Biography

Fathead, originally from Havelock, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario, were a working band from 1992 until 2016. They are multiple

and

Maple Blues Award The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s blues awards, "honouring the finest in Canadian blues". They are the only comprehensive national best in blues awards program. The program's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outs ...

winners. Their distinguished musical career was so honoured by the Juno Awards as early as 1999 and again in 2008. They were awarded their first

as early as 1997 for ''Electric Act of the Year.'' Fathead came together in the late 1980s with no intention of becoming a permanent band; they were a pick up gig. Lerman worked for close to a year with a variety of musicians. When he noticed it was the same musicians coming out to play each time, they all realized they were onto something. They became the long-standing members of the newly formed band in 1992, which Lerman named Fathead after a recording he had by

David Fathead Newman David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

The musicians

John Mays (born 1941) in Georgia grew up with southern

Gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

. In the 1950s he began singing

Doo-wop Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a genre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chica ...

on the streets of New York City. He entered the rhythm and blues club scene in the 1960s then graduated to Soul and

Funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the m ...

as a member of The Insiders in the 1970s while touring with

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...

. In 1978 he came to Toronto, Ontario to stay, at that time he was still performing all styles of music and was the co-founder of The Bleeker Street Band prior to becoming the lead vocalist for Fathead in 1992, returning to his devotion of the blues, deep soul and gospel. In 2011 on his seventieth birthday Mays would release his only solo album, ''I Found a Love''. Mays remained with the Fathead band for twenty four years until his death in 2016, in that time he was awarded six Maple Blues Awards for ''Male Vocalist of the Year'' and in 1995 the West Coast Blues Award for ''Best Male Vocalist''. Al Lerman (born 1954) founder and organizer of the Fathead band is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the harmonica, tenor saxophone and guitar as well as being a singer and songwriter. He was influenced by

Sonny Terry Saunders Terrell (October 24, 1911 – March 11, 1986), known as Sonny Terry, was an American Piedmont blues and folk musician, who was known for his energetic blues harmonica style, which frequently included vocal whoops and hollers and oc ...

and Brownie McGhee, whom he went to see in multiple performances, commencing at the age of eleven. An elementary school music class would blossom a lifelong desire to play the blues. Lerman then began seeking out many of his musical heroes, receiving advice and being fortunate to sit in and play with blues legends such as Muddy Waters,

Willie Dixon William James Dixon (July 1, 1915January 29, 1992) was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He was proficient in playing both the upright bass and the guitar, and sang with a distinctive voice, but he ...

, Sunnyland Slim and many more. He became friends with Chicago harmonica player

Carey Bell Carey Bell Harrington (November 14, 1936 – May 6, 2007) was an American blues musician who played harmonica in the Chicago blues style. Bell played harmonica and bass guitar for other blues musicians from the late 1950s to the early 1970s bef ...

who mentored him on the harmonica, in live performances, Lerman regularly plays with a rack-mounted harmonica. Bob "Omar" Tunnoch bassist for the Fathead band is a musician, songwriter, and visual artist. Along with band leader Al Lerman he has penned and co-written many of Fathead’s songs. He was a member of influential bands in Toronto, Ontario being Whiskey Howl and Wooden Teeth. During his musical career he has also performed with

John Lee Hooker John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1912 or 1917 – June 21, 2001) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. The son of a sharecropper, he rose to prominence performing an electric guitar-style adaptation of Delta blues. Hooker often ...

Etta James Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer who performed in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and soul. Starting her career in 1954, sh ...

and Paul Butterfield. Tunnoch is also an award-winning Canadian artist and member of the Society of Canadian Artists.

was born into a musical family in Toronto, Ontario and became one of the original members of the Fathead band, remaining until 2006. In 2006, Leonard decided to embark on a career as a freelance musician permitting him to tour throughout

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

and Europe with musicians Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford,

Paul Reddick Paul Reddick is a Canadian blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player. He was the founder of the group The Sidemen, active from 1990 until the early 2000s. History Born in Toronto, Ontario,Larry LeblancProfile of Paul ReddickBlues Art Journa ...

, Johnny Max and Pork Belly Futures. He would leave a freelance career in 2009 and rejoin the Fathead band which he remained with until 2013, when he again decided to leave and remains to this day in a freelance career. In total Leonard spent eighteen years with the Fathead band and in that time he received a

in 1999 as ''Guitarist of the Year'' and in 2010 the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Great Lakes Blues Society and the Jimmy Lewis Award, presented by the city of London, Ontario for his long career as a blues musician. Bucky Berger, originally performed with the band

Rough Trade Rough Trade may refer to: *Rough Trade Records, a record label * Rough Trade (shops), London record stores *Rough Trade (band), a Canadian new wave rock band * "Rough Trade" (''American Dad!''), an episode of ''American Dad!'' *Rough trade (slang), ...

, which was formed by vocalist Carole Pope and

Kevan Staples Rough Trade (1968–1988) was a Canadian rock band centred on singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples. The band was noted for their provocative lyrics and stage antics; singer Pope often performed in bondage attire, and their 1 ...

in 1968. Berger was the drummer with the band from 1978-1982, when he would leave to pursue a freelance career before joining the Fathead band in 2007. Over a long career, he has played and/or recorded with Chilliwack, David Wilcox,

Danny Brooks Danny Brooks (born Daniel G. P. Middlebrook on December 16, 1951) is a blues and Memphis-style R&B musician, singer-songwriter and author now living in Llano, Texas, United States. He performs with a full band as Danny Brooks and The Rockin' Re ...

, Curley Bridges,

Elvin Bishop Elvin Richard Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock music singer, guitarist, bandleader, and songwriter. An original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a membe ...

, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson,

Maria Muldaur Maria Muldaur (born Maria Grazia Rosa Domenica D'Amato; September 12, 1942) is an American folk and blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1973 hit song "Midnight at the Oasis" and has ...

and many others. Berger spent nine years with the Fathead band, and would receive a

in 2009 for ''Drummer of the Year''. Papa John King, joined Fathead in 2013 as their guitarist replacing

. He has performed with many notable musicians over the years Ian Hunter, B.B. King,

Jimmy Page James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Page is prolific in creating guitar riffs. His style involves various alternative ...

and Mick Taylor just to name a few. In 1983, King was recruited by British blues artist Long John Baldry, whom he remained with over 20 years permitting him to travel internationally, in the United States and across Canada. In the early years King played in influential bands in Toronto, Ontario including Hott Roxx and Hogtown Heroes, as well as being the regular guitarist for blues musicians Rita Chiarelli and

. King was the house guitarist at the now closed famed Club Bluenote in Toronto, Ontario where he backed such artists as Martha Reeves,

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Jalacy J. "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins (July 18, 1929 – February 12, 2000) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer. Famed chiefly for his powerful, operatic vocal delivery and wildly theatrical performances of s ...

and

Solomon Burke Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke (born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1936 or 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American singer who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues as one of the founding fathers of soul music in the 1960s. He has been ...

The band

Before the official formation of the Fathead band in 1992, Al Lerman would contact musicians to see who wanted to come and perform at gigs as a band. During which time

Tony Flaim Tony Flaim (April 20, 1948 – March 10, 2000) was among the early professional blues singers in Canada, most notable as the lead singer for the Downchild Blues Band on six of that band's albums. Flaim was associated with Downchild for extended pe ...

, whose associations included the

Cameo Blues Band The Cameo Blues Band is a Toronto-based blues band, originally formed in 1978. It is particularly notable for its association with several of Canada's leading blues singers, including Richard "Hock" Walsh, Tony Flaim and Chuck Jackson, all of ...

and the Downchild Blues Band, joined as lead vocalist, he would continue until returning to the Downchild Blues Band as their lead vocalist in 1986. In terms of blues styles, the quintet uses uptempo Chicago blues blended with the sound of Mississippi Delta blues creating its own unique and contemporary sound. Most of the songs are blues originals, generally co-written by Lerman and bass player Bob "Omar" Tunnoch. Throughout the band's 24-year career they would have several members, with Al Lerman, John Mays and Bob Tunnoch the trio of the organization. Long standing guitarist

would be followed by Darran Poole in 2006, Leonard would return to replace Poole in 2009. Leonard would again leave the band with guitarist Papa John King replacing him in 2013. The band has had a succession of drummers, being Mike Fitzpatrick, Ed White, Chuck Keeping, Hayden Vialva and Bucky Berger. Drummer Ed White as a member of Fathead, received a

as ''Drummer of The Year'', in 2000. John Mays, Al Lerman and

joined and remained members of The Maple Blues Revue. This eleven member group of Canadian blues musicians whom are all multiple

winners or nominees, perform at the annual Maple Blues Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario as the Maple Blues Band and have released one recording, ''Live at Twisted Pines''. The band's first album, ''Fathead'', was released independently in 1995. The band would thereafter sign with Electro-Fi Records in 1998 a Toronto-based label specializing in blues music releases. Electro-Fi Records would release all the band's albums with the exception of ''Livelier Than Ever!'' which Electro-Fi did not want to produce, Fathead released the album independently in 2002. Throughout its career, the band has won multiple awards. Two of the band's albums, ''Blues Weather'' (1999) and ''Building Full of Blues'' (2008) received the

for Best Blues Album.

The band members

*John Mays lead vocalist would succumb to his battle with cancer in December 2016. *Al Lerman recently released the ''Slow Burn'' album and has continued gigging both as a solo musician and as the Al Lerman Band. *Bucky Berger is performing with the James Anthony Band and various other artists. *Papa John King is involved in classic Motown music including Music and Theatre Shows. *Bob "Omar" Tunnoch continues painting great art and performing with the Rootbone band among other projects. *

continued his path as a freelance musician performing with various bands and with his own band the Pocket Rockets. *

had a fatal heart attack March 2000. *Mike Fitzpatrick continues to this day as the drummer for the Downchild Blues Band and performing with The Hogtown AllStars and the BG Rhythm Section. *Chuck Keeping continued his path as a drummer and instructor and is presently a member of the Big Wreck band. *Darran Poole continues performing with the

Gary Kendall Gary Kendall is a Canadian bassist, vocalist and band leader, best known for his longstanding association with the Downchild Blues Band and co-creator of the Kendall Wall Band. Biography Gary Kendall, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has ...

Band which he has been with since its inception in 2005 along with his own recently formed band, RootBone.

Awards and recognition

West Coast Blues Award *1995 Top Canadian Blues Recording *1995 Best Male Vocalist - John Mays Jazz Report Award *1997 Blues Group of The Year *1999 Blues Group of the Year

* 1997 Electric Act of The Year * 1999 Guitarist of the Year -

* 1999 Electric Act of the Year * 2000 Drummer of the Year - Ed White * 2001 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays * 2002 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays * 2004 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays * 2008 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays * 2009 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays * 2009 Drummer of the Year - Bucky Berger * 2010 Male Vocalist of the Year - John Mays

* 1999 Best Blues Album – ''Blues Weather'' * 2008 Blues Album of the Year - ''Building Full of Blues'' Canadian Indie Award *2003 Blues Recording of the Year - ''First Class Riff-Raff'' The Jimmy Lewis Award *2010 Lifetime Achievement - recognition of his career as a blues musician -

Great Lakes Blues Society Award *2010 Lifetime Achievement - involvement in Canadian blues music -

Discography

;Studio albums *1995: ''Fathead'' *1998: ''Blues Weather'' *2000: ''Where's Your Head At?'' *2002: ''First Class Riff-Raff'' *2002: ''Livelier Than Ever!'' *2007: ''Building Full of Blues'' *2010: ''Where's The Blues Taking Me'' *2012: ''Twenty Years Deep'': The Very Best of Fathead 1992-2012 *2014: ''Fatter Than Ever''

External links

Fathead WebsiteAl Lerman WebsiteBob Omar Tunnoch WebsiteFathead credits at AllMusicFathead

Citations

{{Authority control Canadian blues musical groups Musical groups established in 1992 Musical groups from Toronto Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year winners