Lee Van Leer - Vocalist, organ and guitar

b. Oct 6. Lee was organist and arranger for Jack London and the Sparrows (which evolved into Steppenwolf) and can be heard on their first two recordings. He also toured with the Platters, playing keyboards in their backup band, and with John Ellison, writer of the hit song "Some Kind of Wonderful."

His own group's first release "Candy Apple Black" was a regional hit that made top twenty in some areas, and he has appeared as an opening act for several international celebrities, the most notable of these being Rod Stewart.

Aside from his songwriting and energetic showmanship, Lee Van Leer's most distinctive talent is undoubtably his self-taught lead guitar technique, where he uses his left thumb alone to do what most lead guitarists do with three or four fingers. Once seen, never forgotten!

Lee will play any guitar with a maple neck, medium scale length and low frets. He favours Peavey Standard heads made between 1980 and end of production with custom cabinets using fifteen inch Peavey Black Widow speakers. Effects pedal: Danelectro Fab Tone (original series).

Lee prefers playing his Yamaha DX21 and Roland JX3P and is often seen playing them through a modded Leslie!

Excerpt from the Silver Pages fanzine, Feb/Mar 2009 by Paige Kukul.

Breaking News on Artists We Have Covered in 2008 and One We Should Have Covered. Superb vocalist Lee Van Leer is, after a very successful Autumn 2008, taking a hiatus from his band Van Leer until early April 2009. His fine CD "Thumbs Up!" (on Groovelock Records in Canada) will be released worldwide in the MP3 format in late February 2009 by Texas based OurTracks. Downloads will be $1.00 for individual tracks and $11.00 (USD) for the entire album. Sadly, negotiations to release the physical CD (which includes four live tracks) on a label with better distribution than the tiny Groovelock Records are at a standstill. Drummer and highly distinctive vocalist Benny P. continues to keep power trio H to Oh! very much alive and active in 2009. Expect to see them returning to party place The Sunshine Restaurant at Danforth and Kelvin on Feb 13 or 14, 2009 after their highly successful Dec 19 Christmas party where Van Leer also appeared. Keep visiting http://www.VanLeer.ca/ , http://www/HtoOh.com/ and http://www.BigSmokeMusic.com/ to keep informed on these and other artists' activities. A group we're long overdue in highlighting in the Silver Pages Fanzine has to be The Cain Gang. Founded by D'Arcy Cain, The Cain Gang is five musicians with four vocal vocalists including excellent front man Gary Singleton. Alhough not credited as such on their web site, AFAIK every member is singing except newest member, bassist Jim Buchanan. The Gang is a band of mature musicians playing a mix of blues, blues-rock and classic rock and includes a female member, Stephanie Mott. Alhough we tend to spotlight young bands performing at all ages events, we thought it high time that we featured these three energetic, veteran acts and we wish them ongoing success in 2009 and beyond! PK.

The current makeup of the band is as follows. Please click on each name for photo and bio.

• Lee Van Leer
• Some Young Guy
• Sonny B
• Scott Sharp
• Andy Ray Fong
• Jimmy Cannon and Gordie Grills, alternate drummers

Listen to a song by Lee Van Leer / Van Leer   ...and an instrumental by Lee Van Leer / Van Leer.

Check out Lee Van Leer's BLUES side by listening to "Goin' To The Dogs" and "Roll On Through The Night". All tunes posted here are © Lee Van Leer, from the CD "Thumbs Up!" You can also Purchase tunes from the CD.

Be sure to check out Lee's Blog for the latest news about Lee.

Join us every Thursday night from 9:00 PM until midnight at Danny Green's Billiards Bar, 1218 Danforth Avenue second. floor as Lee Van Leer hosts a JAM night with Pete Aube, Some Young Guy, Scott Sharp and... YOU? ~ We have REAL gtr. & bass amp, kbd. & p.a. and drums. ~ You may Showcase your band as long as you don't startle the billiard and pool players with excess volume ~ Food, beverages, great seating and sightlines. ~ Thursdays, yes! Visit Lee's Blog often for updates.

We are listed on the Big Smoke Music web site.
We often perform at Amy Miller Event Promotions functions.
If you have any questions you can email the band.
To book Van Leer, please email Bookings@VanLeer.ca

Last Update: 1 September 2010
If you have any comments, Send mail to me.