West Island Bars of the 1980s
For all of you out there who wanted to know, listed below are some of the popular West Island (Montreal) bars of the 1980's that I frequented with my friends. Tonight, I received an email request out of the blue. This person was looking for the name of the bar that burnt down in the mid-80s and that had live shows. Man, I lost count of the bars that burnt down! He googled some search terms and came across my web site. Oddly enough "pointe-claire", "bar", and "burnt" will show the link to my bio as the second web link. Nice... He'd thought I know of the place he was thinking of. It turned out I do know. It was a popular place known as The Maples. It actually burnt to the ground before I got a chance to visit the place, on the inside at least. I think it was gone in the spring of 1985. (FYI, If anyone knows the exact month let me know. Thanks, Derek.) So this request got me thinking of all the places I've been, and I thought I'd share this will all you kiddies out there.
Actually, I almost went to The Maples one evening but never reached the place. I was just walking home from Chez Paul's (a skanky bar near my high school) one evening in 1983 . Finding the walk home a bit long, I hitch-hiked and was quickly picked up. I think this was the first and last time I actually stuck out my thumb. The driver and friends soon shared a nice cool can of Budweiser and offered to drive me to The Maples as this was their destination. I respectfully declined and I was let out at Westminister Ave. and St. John's (By the way, mom, I kept the beer -- and it was good). All in all, hitching was a good experience that evening.
We all had fun in the eighties. The music was good and the bar owners and bouncers were not overly-concerned with the age of its patrons. I think the nightlife started to go downhill, in my opinion, when Victor Davis, the Olympic swimmer, got into a street fight and was run down in the road and killed. Tragic. That evening in November 1989 pretty much signalled an end to 'the party' in the West Island and closed out the decade on a sombre note. Anyway, here is the, by no means exhaustive, list of bars:
- The Maples (Pointe-Claire)
- The Edgewater Inn, and The Marina (Pointe-Claire)
- The Pioneer (Pointe-Claire) I saw April Wine there many times.
- Shawn's Pub (Kirkland, off of St. Charles Blvd.) (It's a raid!!! was often heard.)
- Quai Sera (Ste-Anne de Bellevue)
- Annie's (Ste-Anne de Bellevue)
- Cousineau's Tavern (Ste-Anne de Bellevue) No women allowed and the pickled tongue was to die for
- Cheers (St. John's Blvd.)
- Chi Chi's (Margaritas and Nachos) (St. John's Blvd.)
- Chez Paul (Pierrefonds)
- The Manoir (Pierrefonds)
- The Residence / Rez (Pierrefonds)
Photos of the Maples Inn courtesy of Derek Dranfield.
posted by John W. MacDonald at
Monday, December 13, 2004
61 Comments:
Hi,
I misspent my youth at the Maples Inn. We used to call it "The mapes" and you could go to the "Caboose" part, a bar area, or the live music side. The caboose was where we usually started the night, cozying up to the bar, getting drinks from "Mado", I think her name was, a fixture in that place all the years I went there.
On the live music side, hard rock bands played, there was often a small cover charge, and the music was always hard and loud!
I started going there in 1976, and spent many weekends there til the early 80's when I moved away.
Great memories, kinda fuzzy, tho!
Ahhh... the memories. Thanks for sharing your comments.
-jwm
Hi John
I grew up in Pierrefonds ( Riverdale High ) sure you know of it..
I’m pretty sure the Maples burnt down in the spring of 1985…
Spent many nights from ‘76-’83, They had great acts play there like Brian Adams,
Lover Boy ( never a fan ) Pin Ups, ( the band Sass Jordan was launched from ).
Levon Helm, just to mention a few. Battle of the bands was always a favorite.
I have a few Photos you might like to post…
Take Care, Derek
Hey there, Derek. I would not mind posting a photo or two. Email me. The band that launched Sass Jordan was The Box, I believe.
John - Sass was in The Pinups (all girl) and later The Box. But, essentially, it WAS The Box that launched her career.
Thanks, IQNiller. Did the Pinups receive airplay on Montreal radio? Were they a cover band? or have original material?
Hi,
Just stumbled on your sight. Pure fluke. I only ever went to the Maples a couple of times. Had to be late 70s, early 80s because I was still in high school. The Pinups, when I saw them, was Sass and some not terribly masculine guy but I wouldn't say "all girls". That might have been before or after, don't know but I know it was a few years before I ever heard her on the radio. The local groups we used to make the special trek out to the Maples for (back then I was a "downtown only" girl) were Traxis (mostly rock covers, some original), The Rick Burnett (Burness?) Band (did Jethro Tull, Yes, "progressive rock" covers) and some other group whose name now escapes me completely, though I loved them at the time. They had an original song called "Simple Man". I also might have seen Luba at the Maples. I could be mistaken, might have been downtown (The Mustache or Pretzels or some other place). Any of that sound familiar?
Nice to see I'm not the only one who still remembers those times. :)
Hello Kel,
I almost forgot about Luba. Can't confirm if she played at the Mapes. Maybe? Wondering if she'll ever have a comeback à la Sass?
Was the Pin Ups an all girl band? I remember Sass Jordan playing in a band with 3 guys. I think that the lead singer and lead guitar was a guy named Sean O'Donovan.
As for Luba, she was from Lachine. She played the Canada Day concert about 10 years ago in Lachine. I haven't heard anything new from her in years. I wonder what she's up to?
The first day of the CBC strike, the management were playing only Canadian music in the morning on Radio One and Luba's 'Let it Go' played.
It brought back a lot of memories from long ago. The world needs more Luba. (hehehe) As for the CBC strike...who knows.
I do like where this thread is going, however. Nice to see people are searching the internet for bars of the West Island...or more likely, Sass Jordan or even Luba.
-John
A more complete history of The Maples Inn can be found at http://www.alanrhodes.com/journals/mapes.html
It burnt down on February 8, 1985. The neighbours had champaign ready.
An audio sample of a Mapes bouncer at work from July 4, 1975 can be heard at http://www.alanrhodes.com/Mapes_bouncer_750704.mp3
The lead guitar of the Pin-Ups was Sean Donnally, not Sean O'Donovan.
Alan,
Thanks for the clarification on the Pin-Ups. Your website is AMAZING! Your journals are AMAZING! Well done.
What a great blog! Everything you talk about brings back so many memories. The Edge, The Marina, The Pionner (including the Disco), Shawn's Pub, The Manoir - most of them gone now. Do you remember before Annie's was Annie's it was called the Pisse Dru? Do you remember Dag's in Pointe Claire Village (across the street from The Pioneer). I went to BHS and the Pin-Ups played at one of our dances - Sass Jordan and Sean Donnelly, etc.. amazing!! We had great rock and roll talent on the West Island. And roller skating at Caesar's Palace behind Fairview. Remember Fairview Cinemas? Oh gosh, I could go on all day. Thanks for the memories!!
@Anonymous, thanks for dropping by and for leaving your comments. Always appreciated. Not that I know Alan Rhodes or anything but go to his website for more Montreal memories from his youth. www.alanrhodes.com
Feel free to leave your own favourite memories of mis-spent youth at Montreal bars of the West Island here next time...
Hi,stumbled across your webb site and wow the memories.I used to visit the mapes regularly in the 70's although alot of it is blurred as you might understand I remember a really good progressive band called good gaud and I used to draw for them while at the mapes.I was hoping to go onto album covers but alas real life kicked in and I moved to England.My brother pete dowse played with alot of bands back then and is still currently with mahogany rush and frank marino great site hope to hear from anyone who remembers pdowse@hotmail.co.uk
Anybody remember a band called "Crackers" who played at the Mapes in the early 80's I think. One player would wear a small TV on his head with a mirror in the front of it and another player had a third leg attched to his suit.Anyway they played a song called "grace" that had the audience howling with laughter.
The Crackers...now that'a a new one to me. Perhaps someone will chime in with a response soon?
This page is oddly popular with those wishing to recapture their lost booze-addled memories.
Does anyone remember when they had a best lead guitar player contest at the Mapes with the winner receiving a brand new Fender "Lead 2" guitar.If I scratch my brain hard enough It all comes back. I was there most weekends partying or playing on jam nite with varoius local musicians towards the end.NC.
I never made it inside the Maples Inn however I spent lots of time down at the waterfront. My grandparents lived down the street and I believe my parents had their wedding reception there in 1955.
Like everyone else, I've often wondered what happend to the people and places we grew up with on the West Island. Our family moved in 1976 and since then I've lost track of my old pals from BHS.
After leaving Quebec I was told that one of my old school mates David McNally played in The Pinups for a while. I'm not sure if it was during the same period that Sass was in the band or not. But I do know for sure that at the age of 15/16 Dave was an excellent guitar player.
I do remember seeing "Crackers" perform at Seneca College (Toronto). Outrageous! Another band from that period was "Lady".
Thanks for the memories!
I only briefly know of the scene on west island because I was very very young. But I came across this blog looking for more info on Caesear's Palace as I remember as a child going to that roller skating rink. It was a lot of fun!
Plus my dad was also the DJ there, Lance (DJ Lance Romance).
Any more info on that spot would be appreciated.
Khadija Dawn Carryl
hennasooq@gmail.com
What a great surprise to find this web-site. You should know that my Pub was spelled Shawn's Pub and was located in Kirkland.We did get raided on a few occasions but in the 13 years that we operated not once did we ever get charged nor fined for any infractions.Luck of the Irish is was!!
Shawn...sorry for the typo (now fixed). Apologies for for being 17 and being in your establishment but it was fun in the 80s. My friends and I were NEVER responsible for the cops being at your place. I just want to clarify that. LOL!
Also, thanks for playing "How Soon is Now" by The Smiths so many times, too. That was cool - even you were probably not the DJ. Thanks for dropping by this page to comment on my weblog.
Anonymous said...
Anybody remember a band called Crackers"
Sure do!! I've got an MP3 of Gracie. This song is the only reason I stumbled onto this site. I was looking for information about Crackers for someone in Sacramento, CA. It goes like this:
The square brackets are one of the guys in a deep burly voice.
[Alright listen up people, here's a song we'd like to dedicate to all the girls, to make them blush, to the brightest red. And all the perverted minds out there. Alright lets hit it.
I'm glad...I'm glad too.]
{chorus}
I'm glad you've got lots of money Gracie
[Sing it out loud]
Cuz you're so scuzzy you make my balls contract
[Oh]
Although you've got no body and no face
[Oh christ]
You don't care if we love ya
[Love ya..love ya]
For nothin' but your money
Dear old Grace.
{end of chorus}
Here's a story very bold
[Ya I bet]
And it's very rarely told
[Well tell us all about it we're all waitin']
About a girl I know name Grace
[Ya I think I met her a couple of times]
And how she sits upon your face
[What a nice feeling]
She's gots tits like camels balls
[Oh my god]
They swing and sway against the walls
[Send her up to my room]
Her face is like a maggots dream
[Oh on second thought forget it]
Full of boils puss and cream
[Squeeze them pimples]
{chorus again}
She's a nymphomaniac
[What the hell is that]
She sticks the clothes right up her crack
[Oh that's what it is]
And even worse than that
[Don't tell me she's perverted]
She balled a corpse and it came back
[Wow, I'm feelin' good now]
Grace went to the farm
[What's she up to now guys]
She took the bulls in the barn
[She's playin' with that horn]
She lined them up in a row
[1..2..3..4..5]
And tied their balls in a bow
[Oh my god]
Now ain't that sweet
[Just like a box of candies you get for your birthday]
Grace is tying up the meat
[Ya especially these days when it's so long]
She took a picture couldn't wait
[She took her Poloroid out]
She took it home to masturbate
{chorus again}
I just uploaded it for your enjoyment. I don't know how to make it a clickable link in HTML.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P1FFDY2K
Good Lord! Now that's a ditty.
This is a really great site. Glad I stumbled. I grew up in Pointe Claire and yes I started going to the Mapes at the age of 15 back in late 70's opps I should of been in school. Anyway I dated a guy that used to bounce there (no cover charge for me)He also bounced at the Edgewater. I met him again 25 years later and we got married last November. I remember the bands loverboy, streetheart, levon........stayed until closing all the time and then we would head to the border.
Sheryl Martin then now its Sheryl Kaye
Thanks for dropping by, Sheryl. Congratulations to you on the marriage to Mr. Kaye.
Wishen' I would have caught Streetheart back then: Classic. Canadian. Music.
WOW! I stumbled on this page looking for the old band Crackers. I can't believe that someone had the song around. I'd LOVE the whole album. They were actually fantastic at covering other bands to a "T". I remember their versions of Alan Parsons songs. Plus I remember the drummer running around the audience playing everything around for a drum solo. Even saw him play a woman's chest once. That was in Winnipeg at a bar called the Black Knight. Great memories.
Thanks for the song!
Glenn
Talk about flashbacks, those weekends that usually started with the words, "does everyone have their fake i.d.?" We had some great times in the Black Knight too! Had to be careful once you went outside tho, lol. How great to see pics of the Mapes, I'll bet it brings back heaps of great memories to alot of folks, fun times.. Is it possible that anyone has pictures of some of the other bars, like Shawn's? I'd love to see them too. Thanks for the site John!
@tuffnuttocrack: I agree - more pics please.
Nice to see that the old Mapes. though long dead, is not forgotten. I played in a few bands in the late 70s and early 80s and we always loved to play the Mapes - a guaranteed good time and party! I knew Sean Donnelly, ex of the Pinups, and played in a band with him a few years after that (Fabulous Squareheads - never did much). Long live the Mapes
Hi
I remember seeing Crackers in Woodstock. They played Pink Floyd and they all wore clear masks on their faces during the song. I had bought teh 44 of Gracie at eh bar (do not have it any more0. I Hav eone of teh lp's Hard on you. I am trying to find out what heir names are./
Cheers
Chuck
My brothers and I worked at the Maples during its hayday,I'm not sure if the sound track you have of the bouncer is not me, anyway I have the news paper with the burning of the Maples, it was Feb 7th 1985, I also have the records of Crackers (if you want to put a sound track on your site let me know)
The Maples Inn was the birthplace of Rock And Roll in Montreal, for many years after it was gone I held a reunion for its patrons at local bars, maybe its time to do it again, I'll wait for your input on this before I make a move on it, keep this great web site going,
Cheers
Peter Angrove
PS. Shawn O'leary where are you now ?
Happy New Year!
Peter, if you want to host the track of Crackers, feel free to put a link here in the comments. Thanks for dropping by to share your memories.
Hi I was a patron of Mapes back in the seventies. Great place to party. Last day I left town the manager let me and my buddy ride our harleys on the dance floor and the band played born to be wild.
I have a network at facebook.com called "Maples Inn Crowd". Drop by and say hello.
http://crackersweb.com/
I got this link from a previous band member I emailed recently. Looks like Crackers is still playing out.
Glenn
Ooops...they deleted my post. Musta said something wrong...:D
For those of you that remember the band "CRACKERS", here's an email address of the band leader regdenis260@hotmail.com They are still rockin and touring constantly. If you want a great fun night of entertainment, a really entertaining act, email Reg (band leader), for a list of upcoming show dates which are never listed on the website (only dates in Florida are there). Also, they have two new c.d.s which you can get through him only. You will love these tunes!! Also, you can get their two albums tunes there as well.
May you never stop playing, you Crackerhead you!!
John:
Just stumbled on this myself. Very interesting and great to see comments from Shawn O’Leary, Dave Angove and a few others I recognize from the old days. Nice to know the place made a difference. I also have a lot of fond memories of the “Mapes” and will never forget the place. I had my first illegal beer in the “Pub” one sunny afternoon in 1967.
I also remember having to fight city hall and a few of our neighbours who felt we were breaking a few of the City’s noise laws. Often, Peter Leupold, my manager, Bob Beaupre and a posse of some of Pointe Claire’s finest doorman and bouncers would find some of our more persistent neighbours skulking around the property with sound meters. Of course, this had to be put down to a lack of appreciation for good Rock and Roll or a lack of sense of humour.
The result was always the same, a complaint, a summons, a day in court and a feeble explanation as to why it was absolutely necessary for “Powder Blues Band” or the like to be playing ear shattering music at 3 am on a Wednesday evening. Always a few problems but always a good time. Like most, I wouldn’t trade those days or those memories for anything.
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Bob Beaupre, probably the one person who knew more and cared more about the “Mapes” than anybody I have ever met. He was a walking encyclopaedia about the place and I’m sure he’s back drinking in the pub as I write this.
I have some old memorabilia, pictures, menus, ect. kicking around, which I would be happy to post. I no longer live in Canada, so it may take me some time to dig them out but if you would let me know how to get them to you I will.
Glad I found this.
Brian L. Newman
Brian,
Thanks for the great comments. Sorry to hear about the passing of Bob Beaupre. You can contact me re. pics at john(at)johnwmacdonald.com
PS
See also http://themaplesinn.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20773256656&ref=ts (you probably have to set up a facebook account though.)
I'm another one who stumbled across this site while out surfing about. Upthread someone mentioned The Rick Burness Band. I replaced Rick when he left and the name was shortened to just BURNESS.
We did a number of gigs at the Mapes in the early 80s and they were almost always a blast. The only one that wasn't was when I was told between the second and third sets that my father had died. That was about 26 or 27 years ago now. Obviously I'll never forget where I was.
I think about the Mapes a lot. One of my fondest memories is of finding out Miles Goodwin of April Wine had been there all evening watching us play. I'm glad he didn't leave after the first number, lol!
I was very sad to hear about the Mapes burning down. May it live on in our memories forever!
Charlie
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment, Charlie. Thanks for the info and your story. Cheers, mate.
Really a great blog i used to work at the mapes as a doorman and have lots of great memories of the place
Like Dutch Mason ,Powder blues,Downchild ,Loverboy,Brian Adams.
I met lots of great people while i was their and made lots of friends although some of the women called me Mr Id but that was my job.
Chris if you or your wife ever read this contact me on facebook
Mike Roy
Mike Roy,
Thank you for coming by to share you story. I am sure many people remember you.
-John
John,
Good times at the Mapes filled my early adult years. I remember all the bands mentioned as I was there 5 to 7 nights a week for about 5 years in the late 70's early 80's. One of my favorate regular bands then (not mentioned) was Frank Soda and the Imps (Zeppelin,Hendrix cover mostly) I had him jump up on my table once, down my beer and play some amazing riffs using my EMPTY beer as a slide. Cool Memories, Never Forgotten!
Doug Burne
Doug,
Glad to hear to your story about the Mapes. Nimble bugger, eh?Jumping on your table and all. ha!
John,
Great site, the memories came flooding back. I left the West Island in 2001, and live in Munich, Germany now.
My buddies Steve and Dave from Dorval worked and partied at the Mapes in the early eighties, and I had the good fortune of joining them on some great nights there.
I just wanted to add two more acts: 'See Spot Run', think they were mainly a cover band then, but have released original material and had some airplay in Canada in more recent years. And Corey Hart (the week before he opened for Culture Club at the Forum). Incidentally, Corey said he was going to kick Boy George's ass.....not sure if he ever got around to it.
Cheers,
Andy
p.s. agree with you that the music was really good at Shawn's. Could always count on hearing The Smiths, Simple Minds, Level 42, P-Furs, etc.
I can believe it's been almost four years since my original post and the comments are still coming in to this day.
The Smiths, Simple Minds, Level 42, P-Furs... ah, the 80s.
Can't believe this many people interested in the Maples...I worked there for a couple years, and had some fantastic times and experiences as many other people did! anybody know where Karston is?
CRACKERS IS STILL FEELIN GOOD!! I need them back in my life...now that was a band!I will never forget them.
Wow! The Mapes was once my home, between 1978-1983. We use to live on top floor. My dad was the repair man "FERN" and my mom the cook at the restaurant.I made alot of my friends jealous about staying at the Maple Inn. I have alots of stories about this amazing HOTEL!!
Sylvain Martel
Hello Sylvain Martel,
Wow, you probably *do* have some interesting stories! Please feel free to write them here or on another page like http://themaplesinn.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20773256656&ref=ts
Merry Christmas!
Wow, Just got hooked to this link thru FACEBOOK yesterday... So many great memories and some kind of foggy ones too. I worked there back in 1975 I think,19 yrs old and way out of my league... with folks you all may remember... Steve Bush, Carl, Mado, Kathy,Lance,Steve Trainer,Andy Drulas, Andy Moshonas,Mel, Mike and his bro... don't have the last name.
Someone mentioned the Caboose and being served by Mado... I think when Mado was there, that side of the bar was renamed "The Pub Side".
The Caboose part was integrated into the Pub that used to be the dining room. The Caboose, That narrow long room on the left side of the hotel, is where maybe you'd find the more exotic substances.
Yup, Some good times for sure! Too many to get to all at once.
Hi there...enjoyed recalling some memories from your site. I noted the comment posted by Shawn O'Leary, owner of Shawn's Pub. Any chance you might have an e-mail address for him? We were friends in the late 60's/early 70's
Dave Rattray
drat@rogers.com
@ Dave:
No, don't have contact info for O'Leary. Sorry. Yup, this whole comment thing took on a life of its own. Nostalgia is powerful stuff.
I remember a band called "Ravenhed". They were amazing!!
This is a great site - I was looking for some info on the Mustache club - used to be on Lambert Closse downtown Montreal - I loved it there. All of the live music was the best - I was a groupie, my sister and I - loved those days!
I used to rollarskate too - but in Laval the Recreateque - oh to be young again! Those were the days!
Good heavens ... what an interesting blog ... Came across it while looking up references to The Maples and The Edgewater. Was astonished to find all that stuff on the Crackers. I was Music Director and a DJ at Vanier College (CEGEP) Radio, CKVR, back in the late 70's, and one of our DJ's came in with the Crackers LP he had gotten after a show at the Mapes. I swear, we wore the thing our playing "Grace" !!! Vanier (especially the Green Room) is probably still recovering ... !
Thanks for the memories ...
Rick Allard
wow, what a trip down memory lane! I had forgotten a lot of these great groups mentioned here. Didn't the Mapes also used to serve some awesome pizza by the slice in the main building, or am I just making that up?
What an awesome place it was though...hard to describe to my kids just how much fun we had there listening to great live music and hanging out with our friends, then ending up at Chenoys in the wee hours. Damn shame it's gone.
*waves to Shawn O'Leary* spent many many hours in your fine establishment as well!
thanks for your visit to my blog post, suziekew.
Maybe all the fascination with the Mapes is bcse she burned down while still in her prime. Kinda like Marilyn Monroe???
I think I only went there once bcse I was at Shawn's 3 to 8 nights a week... Cool to see a post from Shawn O'Leary here :-)
Btw, does anyone remember the MECHANICAL BULL at the Pioneer? Now that was an insurance claim just waiting to happen!!
Cheers all!
Saw the Pinups many times at the Mapes, Mustache and other venues in MTL in the late 70's. The band's drummer, David Hazan, was my brother Mark's older brother. They even played our Westmount High School dance in grade 11. Sass rocked, so did Shawn the guitarist. Good times.
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