by Richard Skelly » Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:57 pm
Good points, Paterson. Especially the Second Helping project.
I interviewed Pag in the mid-70s when, signed to Columbia Canada, he took another kick at the door of Anglo Canada and, by extension, the English-rock world. Touring the album Time Race, he did some intense gigs at, I hazily recall, The Body Shop.
We met a couple of times, once for the formal interview and again for casual chat. I brought my girlfriend for the second get-together. She melted in his presence. The dude had a brooding sexuality, enhanced by a penchant for wearing leather duds.
My take on Pagliaro, at that time, was of a Quebec superstar not obviously thirsting for broader success. He exhibited a rather “Meh” low-key ambition or in Québécois “comme ci comme ca.” Onstage, however, he didn’t stint. Absolutely fiery performances with a crack backup band. Pretty sure that ace session drummer Marty Simon anchored the rhythm section.
Fire in the belly is usually a prerequisite for achieving success in rock ‘n roll. Pag presumably had plenty of hunger to scale heights in La Belle Province. Probably made a mark in France as well. Outside of Quebec, I’m not so sure. Forever a standout talent, though.