Terry Watkinson obit

Terry Watkinson Has Died 

He was not on the list.

Terry Watkinson, a Canadian musician and songwriter best known for his work with popular rock band Max Webster, has died at age 86.

On Facebook on Feb. 28, his daughter Chloe Watkinson, an acclaimed Toronto singer/songwriter, posted that "my incredible father left us last night, peacefully, in his sleep. My father lived a truly luminescent life, always paving his own path, fusing genres in his three solo albums. To say I'm proud of him is a grievous understatement."

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Watkinson first made a musical mark as the keyboard player for REO Records recording act Dee & The Yeomen in the 1960s. He enrolled at the University of Toronto, studying Architecture for two years, until he left to join Max Webster as their keyboardist in 1974. Fronted by singer/guitarist Kim Mitchell the band toured extensively in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and released five Gold-selling albums during the 1970s and early 1980s. Watkinson wrote and sang the band's biggest hit, "Let Go The Line."

The Max Webster Live website reports that "Max Webster's first gig with Terry Watkinson as keyboardist was at a high school in Ottawa, on Feb. 16, 1974. The first song of the set was Frank Zappa's 'Peaches en Regalia.' But they only managed one more song, as Kim fell ill. He was so sick that his parents drove from Sarnia to pick him up after two days in hospital. The band took a month off as he convalesced.

"In 2015, Terry recalled being invited to see Max Webster as a trio (probably in 1973), and being impressed with Kim and instantly joining the band. The lineup of Mitchell, Watkinson, bassist Mike Ilka and drummer Pau Kersey would be its longest lasting one, and, besides Kim Mitchell, Watkinson would be the longest serving member, playing every remaining gig, minus a few months of 1980."

Mitchell and lyricist Pye Dubois wrote the majority of their material, with Watkinson writing one to three songs per album. Prior to the recording of the band's fifth and final studio album, Universal Juveniles (1980), Watkinson exited, leaving Max Webster a trio of Mitchell, McCracken and Myles. Universal Juveniles was recorded with the assistance of session musicians David Stone (who also briefly toured with the band) and Doug Riley. The song "Battle Scar" was recorded live with all three members of Rush playing alongside Max Webster (Watkinson returned just for this session).

Watkinson eventually rejoined in December 1980 as a salaried touring member, but Mitchell decided to dissolve the band after a gig supporting Rush in Memphis in April 1981, reportedly citing exhaustion and a lack of label support.

Watkinson joined prog rockers Klaatu on tour in early January 1982, replacing Gerald O'Brien, and he remained with Klaatu until they split up in August of that year. Watkinson was a member of Toronto bar band Antlers and pursued a solo musical career. He was later commissioned to paint a picture for Klaatu's Peaks collection.

Watkinson returned to University of Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Illustration. After graduating, he taught the subject at U of T and his work can be found in many medical textbooks.

He went on to become a painter of renown and he had work on display at the True North Art Gallery in Waterdown, Ontario. That gallery specialized in work created by well-known Canadian and international musical artists. A 2016 bio on the gallery website noted that "Terry moved away from medical illustration work and now concentrates on his fine art, with one or two feature gallery exhibitions a year for the last 20 years.

"His paintings are largely stylized landscapes of northern Ontario, where he spends his summers. Rather than paint actual places, he prefers to assemble imaginary scenes using elements of the northern Canada landscape, which he cherishes, and visits as often as possible. He works exclusively in oil paints on canvas."

True North Art Gallery co-owner Geoff Kulawick tells Billboard Canada that "Terry was such a gentle and humble artist. My wife Brooke and I were honoured to have several of his paintings exhibited at our art gallery, all of which were sold to his many collectors. He will be missed, but his music and art will be enjoyed for generations to come."

Sharing gallery space at True North with Watkinson was another musician and artist, Kurt Swinghammer. In a Facebook post, he noted that "Max Webster was my absolute fave Canadian band in the '70s with their combination of inspiring musicianship, showmanship and wicked sense of humour. It wasn’t until this century that I discovered Terry Watkinson was also an accomplished and prolific painter of northern landscapes impeccably rendered with a rich, saturated palette.

"The clean graphic style of Group of Seven member AJ Casson looms large, along with the colour sensibility of influential American painter Maxfield Parrish and techniques associated with the Impressionists. We were both on exhibit at the True North Gallery in Waterdown, which exclusively displayed paintings by musicians, and whenever visiting I’d take a moment to soak in one of Terry’s gorgeous pieces. He always deserved the Best In Show Award."

As a solo recording artist, Watkinson released the albums Teratology, in 1986 and Ask in 2015 (it featured his daughter Chloe on vocals).

Amongst those paying homage to Watkinson on social media was singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. On Instagram, he posted "Rest In Peace Terry Watkinson, from my favourite Canadian band of all time, Max Webster. Though Kim Mitchell wrote and sang the vast majority of Max Webster tunes (with Pye Dubois), every album contained a few of Terry's gems. Like 'Blowin' The Blues Away,' 'Ruby Red Child,' 'Astonish Me' and of course 'Let Go The Line.'"

"He had the most angelic voice and interesting keyboard parts too which often rocked as hard as Kim's guitar work. He was also an accomplished artist who made beautiful paintings. I got to sing 'Let Go The Line' with him at one his art shows in Toronto which was huge for me. Pure genius. Huge loss."

Kurt Swinghammer was in attendance at that art show opening. "It was at a space above the Mod Club and Terry banged out a few tunes on piano followed by Ron Sexsmith serenading him with a version of the classic Watkinson-penned Max tune 'Let Go the Line,' which has long been a Sexsmith guitar pull party trick.

"A couple years ago, at the launch of Bob Wegner’s impressive book Max Webster: High Class — The Definitive History, I spotted Terry slowly working his way toward the exit. He looked quite frail, so I was succinct in expressing my admiration. R.I.P."

Toronto musician Lawrie Ingles (on Facebook): "He was my favourite keyboard player and one of my favourite songwriters. His Teratology solo album is outstanding. And after a long hiatus he recorded and released an excellent EP with collaborations from my pal Sam Boutzouvis and his daughter Chloe. I was fortunate to play his songs with him on a few occasions and more recently at a birthday celebration and tribute to him I performed his songs in front of him. A very talented and funny gentleman."