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Corremio Certosa 2005 Premiato insieme a Cordiano, Simonetta e BarillariÈ arrivato in Canada a 6 anni con una chitarra per bambini di plastica e ora è uno dei più grandi interpreti della musica pop e rock del Nordamerica. È Jimi (Vincenzo) Bertucci, nato a Serra San Bruno in Calabria nel 1951. Sabato 22 ottobre è il suo compleanno e domenica 23 gli viene assegnato il premio Certosa 2005 per il suo "eccezionale contributo all'arte" dall'Associazione San Bruno. Insieme a lui, per il 2005 saranno premiati presso il Renaissance Parque, al n? 2800 della Hwy 7 W., a Concord, il ministro provinciale per lo Sviluppo Economico, Joseph Cordiano, Michael Simonetta e Domenico Barillari.Bertucci, nell'intervista rilasciata al Corriere, rivive con intensa commozione il suo viaggio nel 1956 dalla Calabria verso il Canada e la sua successiva affermazione."Il giorno prima suonavo la mia chitarra giocattolo sul balcone di casa mia a Serra San Bruno e il giorno dopo ero sulla nave La Roma diretto in Canada. Lassù mi sono anche perso e mia madre dopo che io l'ho ritrovata, per la gioia mi baciava, mi abbracciava ma mi dava anche qualche scapaccione". "Abbiamo abitato a Grace Street - racconta - vicino la chiesa di San Francesco, su College e lì ho affrontato il difficile inserimento nella realtà canadese. Ho lottato a scuola per superare le differenze che c'erano. Non parlavo inglese e vestivo con i vestiti italiani che mia madre mi dava; finché un giorno, per non sentirmi diverso ho chiesto ai miei di darmi i jeans e le scarpe da ginnastica". Dal suo racconto, Bertucci fa emergere il suo carattere forte e determinato. "Ascoltavo la radio e ho detto: voglio anch'io "entrare in radio"". E Vincenzo Bertucci ha realizzato il suo sogno grazie alla collaborazione dei suoi genitori che lo hanno assecondato. "La svolta è arrivata nel 1964. Vado al negozio Julio music store - continua - vicino all'angolo dove ora c'è il Diplomatico e il proprietario mi fa vedere una chitarra elettrica, la Hofner, come quella dei Beatles e mi chiede se mi piaceva. Mi brillavano gli occhi e dico di sì e quello, facendomi quasi svenire mi dice: prendila è tua. I tuoi genitori l'hanno prenotata per te tre mesi fa e finalmente è arrivata". "A 15 anni poi decido di non andare a scuola e dedicarmi completamente alla musica. I miei non si oppongono alla mia decisione".A raggiungere il successo, a insegnargli la musica e a insegnargli a suonare il mandolino, la chitarra e la fisarmonica ci ha pensato suo zio Salvatore.Bertucci da allora ha sempre composto la sua musica e ha scritto i suoi testi.Nel suo ultimo cd Passion & Innocence, fatto col suo gruppo Abraham's Children racconta i suoi ultimi 30 anni di vita professionale e racconta soprattutto la vita a College e Grace Street. In questo cd, c'è anche una canzone in italiano. "Si chiama Sempre - dice Bertucci -è una canzone d'amore e l'ho scritta e dedicata a mia nipote che si sposava. Era il mio regalo di nozze".Ma Bertucci, con un'altra canzone ha fatto felice anche un'altra donna: sua madre a cui nel 1972 dedicò la prima canzone in italiano: Bye, bye bambina occhi blu. Uno dei tanti successi come Goodbye Farewell, Gypsy, Thank you. Data pubblicazione: 2005-10-19Indirizzo pagina originale: http://www.corriere.com/viewstory.php?storyid=44709

LOS ANGELES CA JIMI BERTUCCI is best known as the founding member and principal singer-songwriter for the ‘70s hit-making band ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN. Born Vincenzo Donato Bertucci in Serra San Bruno, Calabria Italy, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada at the young age of six. Jimi lived in a large household of relatives in Toronto's "little Italy”, including his Uncle Sam who could play a variety of instruments including the accordion and mandolin. Over time, Uncle Sam's musical influence over the young Vincenzo would become profound. After being the lucky winner of tickets from "Sam the Record Man", Jimi went to see the Beatles perform Live at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto at the impressionable age of 13. It was following that monumental experience that he became inspired to envision his life as a musician. The surprise gift of a Hofner Beatle bass by his parents sealed his fate. He soon met another local musician Ron Bartley and Glenn Olive together they would form their first group called "The London Tones." They later added Bob McPherson and Brian Cotterill to the group and, following a number of name changes including "Just Us", the hit-making band "Abraham's Children" was born. As the band’s principal songwriter, Jimi penned their first national hit song called "Goodbye Farewell" while signed to Gas Records. Other hits followed including Gypsy, Thank You and Goddess Of Nature. The band toured heavily and extensively to large enthusiastic crowds. Wanting to explore other avenues with his music Jimi embarked in a different direction in 1976 leaving The Children behind. Quick to recognize his talent, United Artists Records wasted no time in signing Jimi. Finally, having the creative freedom he had craved, he produced a pop-influenced band called "Space Patrol" and later "Angel", a band more on the R&B side. While on the A&M label in the 80’s, Jimi formed the band "The Police" which gained an enthusiastic following but who, due to disputes with the label, soon split. With his newly formed band Jimi B, Robert Hoelting, Mike Cherney, Kelvin Womack and Bongo Fury , he decided it was time to get back on the road and did just that, appearing at some of the more popular places in Hollywood such as The Roxy, The Whisky A Go Go, Club 369, The Vipor Room, Rumps and others. He continued to record and tour all over the USA. As a prolific songwriter and solo artist he released Through The Eyes of Vincenzo. along with numerous other singles. Most recently, he has released some of his poetry writings which are being critically well-received. In 2004, after many requests from fans who wanted to see him in Canada, Jimi reformed "Abraham's Children" and toured the great white north. Although he was the only original member of the band they played all the hits and satisfied a crowd that for so long were anxious to see Jimi and The Children perform. In 2005 the band was back on the road again promoting Jimi's most recent project, a new double cd set titled "Abraham's Children 30", that captures the last thirty years of pop music with his band.This year Jimi released a collection of poetry that has been well received in the literary world. Also in the works is his involvement as writer and producer with his daughter Juli. His plans remain to be committed to his art, including touring and recording, and doing what he does best, exploring music to its fullest, writing poetry, cooking, surfing and snowboarding. ( many more pages to read about Jimi enjoy ) Marisa Lang Management -- Upper photo by Deborah Samuel
HAMILTON, ONT. This question always comes up in interviews so, as a dedicated journalist, I wanted to get the scoop for our records. My question to Canada's Fab 4, as they were sometimes labeled, was this. "What was the largest venue in which you ever performed and why was it so special?" It didn't take much thought for the Canuck rocker, Jimi Bertucci, to dive in and paint a very visual picture for my anticipated pen and paper. "I would have to say, Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Canada. It was an unforgettable night of events that stayed with us throughout the years. "My ears perked up as Jimi explained that, prior to that historic concert, they had performed at Center Island in Toronto to a crowd of about 30-thousand hungry pop fans who proudly displayed many of the t-shirts and posters that were available for them at the show. "The Ivor show was a trip, I recall. The dj from the local radio station, I believe it was CKOC, came on stage and started doing his thing, reminding the crowd to stay back from the stage for safety reasons. Well, that was a lost cause. After about 5 minutes of ranting about community efforts and other related things, the show began. We were in our rented trailer, parked at the side of the 40-foot stage. The lights were flashing like a storm of colors from the dark skies...our cue to get ready. I was sitting back, sipping on my Canada Dry ginger ale, when the dj made his annoucement." "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a welcoming round of applause to one of the greatest bands to come out of Canada....Abraham's Children." "The roar of the crowd was like a constant sound of white noise hissing in the air. We were escorted on stage by three security guards. The stage was flooded by a million watts of lights that blinded our vision of the crowd. I plugged in and approached my microphone. Good evening Hamilton, are you ready to rock? The screams got louder. We opened with one of our hits, Goodbye Farewell. As soon as the crowd heard that trademark intro with the bass, they began rushing the stage in herds. Still blinded by the overwhelming lights, we could see the playing field of the stadium begin to fill up with young fans rushing towards the stage. There must have been thousands. The security guards jumped on stage and asked us to stop, unplug and move to the side of stage left near our trailer. The crowd was frantic. The dj came back on stage and announced that, if the crowd did not move back, the concert would not continue. After about 10 minutes of reorganizing the excited stampede of fans, the dj announced once again, "Ok, let's try this again...Abraham's Children." Ok, here we are again. Are you having a good time, I asked. The crowd yelled out a big YES of approval. We began with another one of our hit records, Gypsy. Once again, the over-enthused fans began approaching the stage. This time, it seemed the numbers had doubled. They pushed and shoved their way closer and closer, crossing the fence that separated the stage and the field. Hundreds managed to knock down the barricade and climb onto the stage. We jumped off the stage with our instruments into the long stretch limo waiting for us. We began driving away on the field, being chased by teens. It was a weird experience, almost frightening. As I looked back through the limo window, I could see people on stage trying to take cymbals, microphones and whatever else they could get before the guards got to them. We drove back to the hotel where we were staying and were greeted by fans in the lobby. After signing a bunch of autographs, we headed to our rooms where we remained until the next day." Reporter Kant Gettalon for iUpdate.  
 ELTON JOHN SAVES THE DAY Toronto Canada It was a cold day. I really don't remember what day it was, only that the night before was filled with all the things that make up rock n' roll and my head was confirming that. The taxi dropped me off at "Eastern Sound" an upper crust studio located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada. It was the Rodeo district of TO as they called it. Expensive cars, clothes and women that just walked out of a Cosmopolitan ad. I tipped the cab driver well, only because I didn't have a smaller bill and besides the driver thought I was some important rock star. As I approached the gate of the recording studio, I noticed this huge mountain of a man standing tall and protective... or so he appeared. I walked towards him and attempted to go around him; he quickly pushed me away and said, "No one is to enter the building".1 tried to explain to him that I was 2 hours late for my session, and that the record company United Artists was not happy with me. He told me to get lost. We started arguing and at one point I made another attempt to go around him; once again he pushed me, except this time I pushed him back. This annoyed the giant and he began to get very physical with me. Web exchanged a few punches, which I can attest he got the best of me. I was probably half his size.
A crowd was starting to gather and as I looked up I could see my band members standing over me. They were stunned, this man was attempting to hassle all of us. All of a sudden the door swings open and there he was standing yelling and cursing at the "mountain man". He came over to me and helped me up, asking if] was hurt. I responded, explaining I was fine, but that my butt was sore from landing on a piece of ice. We walked into the studio, he sat down and repeatedly kept apologizing for this man at the door, which I discovered was a security guard hired by MCARecords. He kept asking if I was alright. Saline, the studio manager came in the room with concern and asked if I needed anything. I explained I was ok and that should get in my room and start the session. As I entered the recording room "A", the President of United Artists Records, his A&R staff, and some other important looking characters were waiting anxiously. They were all shocked to see who was standing next to me. With some humor, the President asked if we could get started. "At $250.00 an hour, we'll have to sell a lot of records," he said. I thanked Elton John for caring enough to come outside and rescue me.... He asked if here was anything he could do. 1 assured him that I would live and that if I needed anything I would be more than glad to ask him. Later that evening he introduced me to his band members. Kenny Passerelli had this incredible new bass that he insisted I use on my session. It was an Alembic, the heaviest bass I had ever held, but the sound was like velvet and rock. We met later at the posh, Yorkville Four Seasons Hotel where Elton was still apologizing for this rude brute of a man. The next day I sat in the studio with Elton and some of his band members and listened' to some great tracks that would later become
"Blue Moves ". Courtesy of Ciao Magazine USA.
 


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Montreal Abraham's Children. Groupe pop formé à Toronto à la fin des années 1960 avec Jimi Bertucci (basse), Ron Bartley (guitare), Bob McPherson (claviers) et Brian Cotterill (batterie) et, à partir de 1973, Shawn O'Shea (guitare). D'abord connu sous le nom de Captain Midnight's Dirty Feet et, ensuite, d'Abraham's Children ou tout simplement de The Children, le groupe joue dans les clubs de Toronto avant de signer avec Gas Records en 1972 et ensuite avec Buddha Records aux États-Unis. Le groupe devient rapidement populaire, en grande partie grâce à son style énergique, et joue pour des grandes foules - par exemple à la Centre Island de Toronto et au Nathan Phillips Square - ainsi qu'à des émissions télévisées telles que Musical Friends et Canadian Bandstand. Ils font des tournées importantes au Canada et aux États-Unis. Leur son, tendant à l'origine vers le " bubble-gum " commercial, évolue vers le rock classique. En 1968, ils produisent leur premier 45 tours " Hot Love ", suivi en 1972 de " Goodbye Farewell " (no10 au Canada d'après le palmarès du RPM) et sa version italienne " Bye Bye Bambino Occhi Blue ". En 1973, le groupe sort son unique 33 tours, TIME (GLP 2001 Gas Records), et le 45 tours additionnel " Gypsy " (no 5 au Canada et succès international) et, en 1974, le 45 tour " Goddess of Nature ". Bertucci (né Vincenzo Donato Bertucci à Calabre, en Italie) et Bartley (né à Verdun, au Manitoba) écrivent la plupart des chansons du groupe. Bertucci commence sa carrière solo en 1975 et s'installe en Californie et, même s'il enregistre toujours des 45 tours et se produit encore en tournée, le groupe se sépare en 1976. Presque 30 ans plus tard, les membres d'origine de Abraham's Children enregistrent un album de retrouvailles (intitulé 30) à Toronto. En 2004, Bertucci et les membres remplaçants jouant sous le nom des Abraham's Children entreprennent des tournées en Californie et au Canada.
The 90's in LOS ANGELES - were a new adventure for Jimi. After almost ten years of living in California and not performing, his decision to play live was a revelation as he puts it. Although he helped music companion Robert Slap on a collection of new age cds for the VOTS record label, his hunger to get active in rock was beginning to erupt. In 1993 he would put together once again a line-up of well seasoned musicians that would simply be know as JIMI B. Rehearsing in a 13,000 square foot mansion high up on a hill in Orange County, Jimi and his band would spend hours preparing to rock the clubs and concert halls.The first gig would be at the famous Galaxy Theatre with no other than The Rankin Family, a Celtic band from Canada that was well known internationally. While backstage, John Rankin approached Jimi and told him that one of the very first concerts he attended, was with his band Abraham's Children in Nova Scotia Canada. The reception was incredible as they hit the stage. Jimi would ask "do we have any Canadians here, EH" the crowd roared with enthusiasm. The next few years would see JIMI B playing some of the hottest venues in Los Angeles and Hollywood. His name was beginning to cause attention and interest by some of the bigger promoters and record labels. When his friend Kelvin passed away he would once again take a break In 2001 he reunited with his old AC bandmates Ronnie, Brian and Bob in Toronto, Canada at George Semkiw's Amber Studios to record some new tracks that would eventually end up on the 30 CD. (read about Jimi and the 80's)
hmmmm.....I'd say, Jimi's poetry reflects a certain vulnerability, depth, and soul most men do not display, let alone possess. Lisa - California (more) 
 
hot juicy loosey latin feel with sugar pop overtones. This is the theme for the Italian Walk Of Fame that Jimi wrote and was produced by hip hop and dip dudes The Rezza Brothers with some fine...(more) 
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