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Alice in Wonderland

Toronto has once again seen the demise of a scheduled centre for rock shows that would have served to afford the city an outlet it ostensibly deserves.

The Fillmore North was conceived by Archie Macdonell and Jan Launder, and was to run weekly triple-hill concerts featuring many top U.S. and Canadian recording acts. It was the victims on Mother Nature, money-hungry managers, apathy, phoney tickets and City officialdom's oppressive restrictions.

The first show, on January 26th, was supposed to feature Free, Cactus anq McKendree Spring. The later was snowbound in London Ont. while Free was minus their equipment. The hall was minus a large crowd, and many of those who were there gained entrance by counterfeit tickets; a bit of larceny which seems to be directly in line with the thinking of today's "hip" community. Many who wanted to come, and pay the reasonable admission, were deterred by the storm. The mood of the evening was one of optimism and togetherness, the entire crowd seemed to be getting into the whole thing, and Friday's concert appeared to be on the road to success.

Lightning struck twice however, as heavy snow kept the crowd thin once more. Meanwhile city officials insisted there was a pressing need for off-duty police to act as security, and demanded an arrangement which cost the promoters about $500.00 for the evening.

According to Archie Macdonell, this was an absolute waste of his money, and their time. "They just stood around doing nothing. I told them where to stand and they stood there: "But at least they were cool," he says, "they were cool and the kids were cool. At least they didn't send any uptight cops."

Alice Cooper, the feature act, were also partly to blame for the problems.

Shep Gordon, who calls himself their manager, demanded 50% of an already outrageous price a month in advance, promising to spend a week prior to the show heavily promoting the gig. He showed up late and according to Macdonell "sat on his ass for a few days and split". Gordon also claimed to be getting a push from Alice Cooper's record company, but that too never happened.

Plans for a benefit never materialized. One local band of international stature, outrightly reneged on a promise to play, and Chilliwack were prevented from playing by the promoter of a music and film night at Massey Hall who was employing them. Other people who had promised many things just disappeared or forgot to phone back.

The Fillmore North is now dormant, but perhaps out of sheer hope it may be resurrected. As people still try to tell us, Toronto deserves it.