Good Tunes, Eh!? Great Canadian Music Pt. 1

Growing up, I was always a big fan of popular music. For those of us in small town, eastern Canada, it was standard to get home from school, sit through your mom's soap operas (remember Another World anyone?) and then tune into Video Hits on CBC while she cooked you supper. If you were lucky enough to have cable, MuchMusic was also a frequent TV passtime, at least before it started sucking and they actually played music videos, similar to the decline of MTV and VH1 in the U.S.

Later, when you had gotten ready for bed you would usually spend the early part of the evening with your tape deck, antenna and blank cassettes listening to the nightly countdown or request show on your local AM radio station while you sat, phone in hand, trying to get through to request the songs you wanted with your other finger poised directly over the record button.

Damn, those were the days.

For those of you that are stateside, let me say that while about 80% of our celebrity cannon is derived from American popular culture, we do have our own history of significantly less glamorous but equally as talented and wonderful Canadian celebrities. While I'm sure many of you are thinking of Anne Murray's and Bryan Adams' (Adamses.. Adams's, Adamsii....) and I hope to bring you a glimpse of the joy that those very talented folks brought to our poor provincial lives each and everyday through this recurring segment.

For my first profile, I decided to go with an artist who unfortunately is no longer in the limelight but she brought us many infectious and wonderful pop hits in the late 80's and very early 90's. Before you click on the jump link to learn more, I have just one last thing to say to all of you: You're welcome.

(Click here to read more)


Candi & The Backbeat

Candi, later known as Candi & The Backbeat, was a Juno award nominated Canadian dance/pop group who emerged in 1988. The bands namesake was their lead singer; Candita Pennella. The remaining band members included Nino Milazzo on bass & background vocals, Paul Russo on drums & percussion, and Rich Imbrogno on keyboards. (Pictured to the left.)

The group released only two albums which enjoyed several hit singles in Canada and some success in the U.S.A. Their first single: "Dancing Under a Latin Moon" hit #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. Pennella was nominated twice for Best Female Vocal performance at the Junos, but lost respectively to Rita MacNeil and Celine Dion. In addition, the group's singles were nominated three years consecutively for Best Dance Recording, but the group were never awarded the statue.

While they may not have won awards, or continued beyond their first two albums: Candi & The Backbeat left a lasting impression on me. To this day, I cannot find a copy of either album on CD or for download anywhere and I've long since misplaced my old cassettes. If anyone out there knows where I could score a copy of these albums, or if Candi is out there somewhere and wants to help out a fan who misses having her music to listen to.. drop me a line! Til then, I'll just keep on dancing under that latin moon. Check out the great tunes below!

"Dancing Under a Latin Moon"


"Under Your Spell"


"Love Makes No Promises"


"World Keeps on Turning"