April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1963 and based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The band enjoyed international success in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing more than 20 albums since 1971.
In 1988 Myles Goodwyn moved back to Canada from his home in the Bahamas. Although there was interest in an April Wine reunion, and the subject was discussed among the former members, other commitments prevented them from getting together until 1992. April Wine returned to the stage that year, starting with a free concert in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The reunited band consisted of Goodwyn, Greenway, returning drummer Jerry Mercer and bassist Jim Clench, who hadn’t played with the band since 1975. Filling out the act was third guitarist Steve Segal. The band toured in both Canada and the US.
In 1993 the band released the first “true” April Wine album in a decade, titled Attitude. It was certified gold in Canada soon after its release. Segal remained with the band through one more studio release, 1994’s Frigate.
The band released another album in 2001, entitled Back to the Mansion. Also in 2001, the band’s song “Roller” was featured in the movie Joe Dirt. Then in 2003, they released the live album called Greatest Hits Live 2003.
In 2004 Silverline released April Wine’s first DVD-A called From the Front Row … Live!. From 2001 to 2004 their live shows included Carl Dixon (formerly of the bands Coney Hatch, and The Guess Who) on guitars, keyboards and backing vocals.
April Wine entered into its 37th year as a band in 2006. On October 31 of that year, Aquarius Records released April Wine Rocks!, a new compilation of April Wine favourites, including a bonus live tune and a new album, entitled Roughly Speaking, was released on November 28, 2006.
By the end of 2006, Clench had left the band for the second time and was replaced by bassist Breen LeBoeuf in January 2007. A year later, Mercer announced his retirement; his scheduled final show in Calgary Alberta, ringing in the 2009 new year, was cancelled due to bad weather. Mercer was replaced by drummer Blair Mackay in January 2009.
In 2010 April Wine was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno Awards April 18, 2010 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Goodwyn and Greenway accepted the honour.
On November 3, 2010, former bassist Jim Clench died in a Montreal hospital after a battle with stage 4 lung cancer.
LeBoeuf left April Wine in July 2011 and was replaced by Richard Lanthier from the Yes tribute band Close to the Edge. Mackay left April Wine in March 2012 and was succeeded by Roy “Nip” Nichol, who had performed with the Stacey Thorn Band, Sam Hill and most recently Spare Partz.
April Wine continues to tour across Canada annually and also plays festivals in Europe and in the United States, with the group now consisting of Goodwyn, Greenway, Lanthier, and drummer Roy “Nip” Nichol.
Former bassist Steve Lang died on February 4, 2017 at age 67 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Myles Goodwyn – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1969-1986, 1992–Present)
Brian Greenway – vocals, guitar (1977-1986, 1992–Present)
Richard Lanthier – bass, vocals (2011–Present)
Roy Nichol – drums, vocals (2012–Present)
Former members
Jimmy Henman – vocals, bass (1969-1971)
David Henman – guitar, vocals (1969-1973)
Ritchie Henman – drums, keyboards (1969-1973)
Jim Clench – bass, vocals (1971-1975, 1992-2006; died 2010)
Gary Moffet – guitar, backing vocals (1973-1984)
Jerry Mercer – drums (1973-1984, 1992-2008)
Steve Lang – bass, backing vocals (1975-1984; died 2017)
Daniel Barbe – keyboards (1985-1986)
Jean Pellerin – bass (1985-1986)
Marty Simon – drums (1985-1986)
Steve Segal – guitar (1992-1994)
Carl Dixon – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2001-2004)
Breen LeBoeuf – bass, vocals (2007-2011)
Blair Mackay – drums (2009-2012)
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