Doug & the Slugs Softcover Memoir - John Burton

John Burton is a co-founding member of the notorious band Doug and The Slugs. Introduced to Doug Bennett by John ‘Wally’ Watson in the summer of 1977, Doug and the author quickly formed the personal and musical chemistry that led to the meteoric rise of the band from a basement Halloween party to national recognition in less than two years. Doug and The Slugs—50,000 Slug Fans Can’t be Wrong is a real page turner written in a conversational style and definitely the author’s own voice. There is humility and humour, triumph and tragedy, defeat and redemption in this compelling read of the legendary party band’s rise, fall, and rise again. The memoir has larger than life characters one would expect from the entertainment industry. Especially interesting is the intel into how the records were made, where they were made and with whom. Burton’s analysis of the finished recorded products and marketing is equally engaging for both readers familiar with and not familiar with the music business. As you might expect there is insider information only someone with Burton’s experience could share about some giants of the industry like Ritchie Cordell, Levon Helm, Sam Feldman and Denise Donlon. From cover to cover Doug and The Slugs--50,000 Slug Fans Can’t be Wrong is a good read. The narrative is well illustrated by amusing and nostalgic photographs with captions throughout. All in All Highly Entertaining!

John Burton is a renowned Canadian guitarist of some considerable esteem and a Co-Founding member of the legendary band Doug and The Slugs. His musical career has spanned over 50 years beginning in 1969 as a drummer in the controversial play The Beard by Michael McClure at the Art’s Club Theatre in Vancouver. John still performs with Doug and The Slugs at festival and concert venues throughout Canada to this day. A Vancouver native most of his life, John now lives in Powell River, BC, where he teaches piano and guitar and enjoys the serenity that abounds there. He performs regularly with several bands just for the hell of it in a variety of styles ranging from; Jazz to Blues; Surf to Psychedelia; and Classical to Country. This memoir is John’s debut as an author.

Contributors

Author

John Burton

Editor

Wendy E. Burton

Editor

Cyndi Koppen