What classic rock rocker hasn’t played air guitar to “Just Between You And Me”? So when Nestor got a chance to chat about the Montreal side of April Wine as they hit the road with the triumphant return of Triumph this spring, he had plenty of questions for Brian Greenway, who joined the band in 1977 and continues to bring the music to the masses.
- [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Attend the May 28 Triumph/April Wine show at Belief Shows in Camden, New Jersey, to experience the Canadian rock reunion live.
- [ ] @Nestor Aparicio – Plan and schedule a future episode featuring Brian Adams (Getty Lee) when he visits.
- [ ] Arrange for Gil to appear on the show after the initial Triumph tour run to discuss the reunion shows.
Brian Greenway’s Introduction and Background
- Nestor Aparicio introduces the show, mentioning various events and sponsors, including the Maryland Crab Cake Tour.
- Nestor discusses his recent interest in Canadian rock and roll, mentioning Rick Emmett and Triumph.
- Nestor introduces Brian Greenway from April Wine, who will be opening for Triumph on their upcoming tour.
- Brian Greenway joins the conversation, and Nestor comments on Brian’s Montreal and Quebec roots.
April Wine’s Bilingual Nature and Canadian Music Scene
- Nestor and Brian discuss the bilingual nature of April Wine, with some members being French.
- Nestor mentions the resurgence of Canadian music, including Triumph, Rush, Burton Cummings, and Guess Who.
- Nestor shares his experiences of hearing Canadian music on Canadian radio stations while traveling in Canada.
- Brian talks about the relevance of Canadian music and the maturity of the Canadian music industry.
April Wine’s History and Brian’s Journey
- Nestor and Brian discuss the history of April Wine, starting in 1969 and gaining popularity in the early 70s.
- Brian shares his early attempts to join April Wine in 1973 and 1977, eventually becoming a permanent member.
- Nestor highlights the challenges of keeping a band together for decades, mentioning other bands like Rush and Triumph.
- Brian reflects on the joy of still playing April Wine’s songs after all these years.
The Upcoming Tour with Triumph
- Nestor and Brian discuss the upcoming tour with Triumph, starting in Florida and extending into the spring.
- Brian expresses excitement about renewing friendships with Triumph, having played with them in the past.
- Nestor mentions Rick Emmett’s recent appearances on the show, discussing Triumph’s reunion and preparations.
- Brian talks about the anticipation and curiosity surrounding the tour, especially with the help of Phil X and other members.
The Impact of Canadian Music and Personal Memories
- Nestor and Brian discuss the emotional impact of April Wine’s songs on fans, bringing back memories from different stages of their lives.
- Brian shares personal anecdotes about how April Wine’s songs have been part of people’s lives, including weddings and other significant moments.
- Nestor reflects on the lasting power of music and the joy of seeing bands like April Wine and Triumph perform live.
- Brian talks about the excitement of performing in large arenas and the unique energy of such shows.
The Juno Awards and Canadian Pride
- Nestor and Brian discuss the recent Juno Awards, highlighting Rush’s performance and the impact of their return.
- Brian expresses pride in being part of the Canadian music scene and the tight-knit community of Canadian musicians.
- Nestor shares his experience of attending the Juno Awards and the viral moment of Rush’s performance.
- Brian talks about the significance of Canadian music and the support from Canadian radio stations and fans.
Set List and Future Plans
- Nestor asks Brian about the set list for the upcoming tour, mentioning key songs like “First Glance,” “Harder Faster,” and “Nature of the Beast.”
- Brian explains the selection process, focusing on the band’s most popular years and songs.
- Nestor and Brian discuss the logistics of the tour, including the number of shows and the locations.
- Brian shares his excitement about the upcoming performances and the opportunity to connect with fans.
Final Thoughts and Farewell
- Nestor thanks Brian for joining the show and expresses his anticipation for the upcoming tour.
- Brian looks forward to meeting Nestor at the show in Camden, New Jersey, on May 28.
- Nestor encourages listeners to check out April Wine’s music and official website for more information.
- The show concludes with Nestor reiterating the importance of Canadian music and the excitement for the upcoming events.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
April Wine, Canadian rock, Brian Greenway, Triumph, Rick Emmett, classic rock, Canadian music, tour dates, Camden, Maryland crab cake tour, Rush, Guess Who, Honeymoon Suite, Juno Awards.
SPEAKERS
Brian Greenway, Nestor Aparicio
8
Nestor Aparicio 00:01
Welcome home. We are W n s t, am 1570 Towson, Baltimore. We are Baltimore positive. We’re gonna get back into the sports thing and the Oriole thing, and certainly the NFL draft as we get going here. And Luke will bring all the breaking news to you on the W n s t tech services, brought to you by coal roofing and Gordian energy. And of course, we’re out doing the Maryland crab cake tour all month long. Fade leads this week, we’re going to be at cost this on the 16th, and Koco’s on the 23rd and then may 1 at Pizza John’s over in Essex, having crab cakes and some fun around here. All brought to you by the Maryland lottery, in conjunction with our friends at GBMC and Farnon and Dermer, who are keeping our H back and our plumbing needs together, I’ve been doing a lot of rock and roll lately, and a lot of Canadian rock and roll. I got to get some American bands on here. Just don’t tell Getty Lee and Alex Lifeson about that. But it all started with Rick Emmett a couple months ago when triumph was going back out on the road. And anybody that knows me knows a big triumph fan, and what a big Canadian rock and roll fan I am. A general Luke do sits coming on this week talking about his Brian Adams tour. I ran around South America last month, and so the Canadian music and the flag kind of follows me around as an American. But this is a band that I remember as a kid listen to. April wine, saw the videos for just between you and me and other songs as well. And I am not as well versed on the history of the band as I want to be as I need to be but when I have Rick Emmett on and triumph is doing this big reunion thing all across our country and Canada, he said, Hey, April wines opening up. I went up on a website. I’m like, I started singing, just between you and me, and next thing I know, Brian Greenway is here from April wine. They will be opening for triumph on the 28th up in Camden, when they make their closest approach. And I don’t know if this tour is going to get extended or not. When I’ve talked to Rick, he’s like, we’re just trying to make it through. We got Phil X, we’ve got, you know, these other members coming in to help them out. But how about support act with a an iconic Canadian band in April wine. So it’s pleasure to have Brian Greenway on who is the longest serving member of the band April wine, a lot of original members have left us, but you put the band back together and run around with Triumph. And I’m so excited to see you, and certainly excited to talk about the history of your band. Brian, thanks,
Brian Greenway 02:11
coming on. You’re very welcome. Good to be here. Well, you have more
Nestor Aparicio 02:15
like Montreal and Quebec roots as much as proper Canada. And I, if I if I remember, in just between you and me, there’s a little French line in there too. So you’re one of those bands that, I think, you know, I guess, Rush worked out in a laceless studio, and there was Canadian, French, Canadian liners and things like that. But you all come in and honest, you were a bilingual band, right?
Brian Greenway 02:39
8Well, I mean, it might look that way. Yeah, there’s a couple of guys in the band that are French now, and I guess I’m the only one that doesn’t really well me and Roy don’t they’re not quite bilingual. But you know it, there is two language, official languages in this country, in Canada.
Nestor Aparicio 02:57
Well, we’re working on the Spanish here. You know, my part of being from Aparicio, I just ran around South America. My Spanish isn’t as good as it needs to be. And I would think the same thing in Quebec, if you’re not, do I, but I, you know, I’m coming up to Montreal to see to see rush. It has been quite a year, I think, for Canadian bands, right for for rush and triumph, to both do this at the same time, it really does give some oxygen to your band. I’ve, I had Darion from honeymoon suite as well. Um, there’s a little bit of a rush of Canadian music coming back here at this point, right? There is,
Brian Greenway 03:31
and don’t forget to guess who is Randy and Burton. Of course, they’re going out as a guess who for the first time this year as well. So there’s, there’s like, Triumph rush, Burton Cummings and Randy going out. Man, that’s, that’s big news. You know these guys, it haven’t, haven’t been real. Guess who has not been out for a long time?
Nestor Aparicio 03:51
Well, I’ll say this from the Canadian perspective, I come up the buffalo lot, and I tend to traverse the border at least once or twice a year. I was up for opening day with the Blue Jays. Last year the Orioles opened up up there. So any chance I get to come in, sneak in and see a show come in, you know, do st Catherine’s Niagara Falls around Hamilton, up to QE w into Toronto, I get in at and whenever I do it, I’m always turned on by the fact that I get the Canadian radio stations, and I own an FCC license here in America, and we have some rules about public service that I tend to keep on the good side of Brandon Carr and the creep running our country. But when I go into Canada, it’s ubiquitous that Canadian music is part of all of the stations. And when I listen to the classic rock station, I think it’s 107, I’m not. But I move around a little bit when I’m up there, and I’m usually up there three or four days. I always have the radio on, and I never, ever fail. And I told Gary this from honeymoon suite, and I would say this about Sarah McLaughlin or Brian Adams lover boy, any of the bands. I mean, let’s talk about Tragically Hip or Barenaked Ladies, any of those bands, because of your the I guess. The politics of radio in Canada, your music and the music of April wine stays relevant. And I literally remember being driving to Montreal two years ago with my wife and hearing April wine and hearing a song that sounded like April wine, but I was unfamiliar with the song, but they play your music and keep your music relevant. They do.
8Brian Greenway 05:18
I can tune in any station, and just about here April wine, sometimes, as soon as I turn on the car, boom, it’s there. So I know it’s gonna be a good day when that happens. But I hear a lot of everybody. It’s great to have such a great industry that started only really back in the 70s. You know now it’s it’s matured, and there’s a lot of great bands that have proved themselves all over the world.
Nestor Aparicio 05:41
Well, once you have a video on MTV, and you’re my age, and before that much music on your side of the border as well, um, to have a hit, like just between you and me, that when Rick Em and I are talking and he just says, April wine, I’m not thinking about the month and the drink. I’m thinking about your band. I’m seeing the logo. I’m seeing the live video from all those years and the chorus and singing along to it’s great song. You came into the band, and I did a little research in this, because I didn’t know a lot about the band. You were a little late to the party, into the band that that that band had a lot of legs and a lot of history. Going back, you mentioned The Guess Who of that era, that real early 70s era, even though you didn’t sort of come into my life, maybe till the early 80s.
Brian Greenway 06:24
Yeah, the band started in 69 and by 1970 71 they were getting charted in Canada. In fact, one of the first singles could have been a lady cover the hot chocolate song from England did really well in the US too, around the 70s, and then nothing happened. We finally came back in the 80s, again, late, late 70s, with first glance and harder, faster. But I tried to get in the band at 73 I didn’t make it, and then I was I asked for an interview in 73 then they asked me to come back and try again at 77
Nestor Aparicio 06:59
8so you’ve been in the band in and out since 77 and there’s a real history. And I would encourage anybody to go up to the official websites. April wine.ca perfectly Canadian. Brian Greenway is our guest. And lost a, you know, real founding member and really the heart and soul the beginning of the band about two years ago as well. And losing miles Goodwin, the formation of the band and holding it together. And I say this for any you two out there that held it together for four decades or rush, you’ve lost neil peart and now trying to put it back together, even triumph, where it all fell apart. It’s hard to keep a band together, right? And I think anytime I go out and I see modern versions of foreigner or sticks you mentioned. I’ll talk about Lawrence Gowan has been on the show, another fine Canadian who joined that band that you have bands and families and keeping people together, losing people, losing members along the way. I saw E Street a couple weeks ago, and I think of Danny Federici, and I think of Clarence Clemens. It’s just it’s impossible over 50 years, and yet, you go out in front of the logo, playing the songs, and you really are the heartbeat of April wine. You’re what’s left of the band. It must be a privilege at this point, especially you haven’t been on stage yet. We try. If you haven’t been in a room with them, by the time we see you at the end of the month, you’re going to have done a dozen shows. Yeah, yeah. It’s really, it’s nice to bring this music out. And I know the minute you hit the stage in Florida this week, you’re going to see it and feel it when the recognition, especially of Canadian people in Florida beginning to tour, Canadian people in general, when you’re doing all those dates up there next month with Triumph, that the music means something to people. When I hear your soul, when I hear just between you and me, I think of my 14 year old girlfriend in middle school, and I think of the music because it never leaves you, does it?
Brian Greenway 08:46
No, it’s there’s no time. Elements with our songs that date anything people like you said, it reminds them of a time in their life, which is, ideally what music should be able to do, is bring back a nice memory, and we don’t make them, you know, we just write the lyrics and and we all in yourself, included myself. We hear a song, it, it’s, we associate it with what we’re doing at the time, and if we really like it, it’s, it’s, it’s embedded in our memories. That’s just where it stays. And I’m so happy that this happens, and it’s such a joy to be able to still play these songs so many years later. We’ve been doing this since 1992 we took a break from 84 to 92 but we’ve been doing it solid since 92 and you know, everywhere we go people just between you and me, yeah, man, we got married that song. I remember doing this to that song, you know. And I remember that too, because I was a fan of the band before I joined. I remember songs like, oh yeah, I remember that song I was doing this or that, or Yeah, I didn’t like that, but it was a good song. You know, why did you want
Nestor Aparicio 09:48
to be in the band so bad back in the 70s when you’re a kid?
Brian Greenway 09:52
Well, I mean, they were doing really, really well. And I love touring, and I love playing, and it’s just when I. Started even before I could play Nestor. And I wanted to be a musician. I wanted to be up on the stage. I used to sing at church socials, and that, just for the fun of it, I enjoyed being up there. I would my grandfather owned, not owned, but he was a caretaker in the Montreal west town hall. Made a big stage with a microphone, an old electro voice, silver chrome microphone that I borrow. It, he let me go up there and sing just to an empty room, just for myself to have fun when I was about eight or nine.
8Nestor Aparicio 10:29
Well, you’re going to have a bigger crowd than that this time out background with Triumph a little bit. And they stopped touring his triumph years ago. And I always kid Rick that he signed a thunder seven album for me back when, you know, I was the music critic in the 80s, and I was a kid running around, chasing bands backstage and whatnot, watching MTV. And I would think, for the Triumph thing for me, Rick’s been coming on for a number of years, talking baseball and his poetry and his books and whatnot. And I just didn’t see it happening or think it happening. And then the Stanley Cup happened, and, you know, I’m following him online, and I’m like, they don’t even have a band. They’re putting it together and putting other pieces together, and Mike’s got some physical issues and whatnot. How did April wine get put into this? Because when I had Rick on, it must have been late February, early March, he came on, and I went up to the dates, and I’m like, why for wines open up? That’s pretty cool. If they couldn’t get lover boy, or they couldn’t get Brian, I couldn’t get another Canadian band of that era. I thought the availability of that and the packaging, and we’re always trying to package bands together, so the folks like me come out, and it’s not just one band I get to see two or three for my night out and my money and my parking and whatever. When I heard you were on. I’m thinking, well, that is Canadian appropriate as what? I thought it’s a
Brian Greenway 11:44
great package. When I was asked by our road manager, what do you think of doing an arena tour with triumph in the States and Canada? It’s great. Bring it on, you know. And we play with them 30 years ago or even longer, in Texas for three or four shows. So it’s not like we’re not. We don’t know each other. We just haven’t seen each other a long time. I’m looking forward to renewing friendships. We had been playing a long time in the past. Last year, we last 25 not 2025 we did Europe. We did England, we did across Canada. We did dates in the States. We did 72 shows last year. So our name has been out there. We’re ready and primed to go. And I think they are going to be too this with their especially with their help that they’re getting with Phil and then the boys, it’s going to be a killer show,
Nestor Aparicio 12:33
yeah, and you haven’t seen it yet, and I think Gil is going to come on after the first early run, I think, and talk to me a little bit about it. And I sort of purposely, you know, talking to Rick, he was getting giddy. His hair was growing long. He looked 20 years younger. He talked about being in shape and just all the things that are going to be necessary to be in a rock and roll band again. And he’s been coming here and sitting on the stool up at Rams Head, and doing the two man and doing the acoustic songs for years and years, and all of his amazing jazz music and all of that, but just feeling the power of rock and roll and what trying stood for in the lights, and all of you had that back in the era as well, and seeing rush come out too, and seeing them become relevant again, this is a beautiful thing that we’ve all lived long enough to be able to do this. Now for the music of Trump, you haven’t seen them on stage either. So this is a little bit of side stage fanboy for you too. After you play your set, you’ll be interested in what they’re doing, because I think all of Canada’s interested in what’s going on there.
Brian Greenway 13:29
8Yeah, everybody’s got real curiosity factor going on. I can’t wait to see the first show, the first night. You know, it’s, it’s like a dream come true in a way. You hope that people get back together. You hope the industry gets coming around to you again. And I can’t believe it’s happening. It’s pinched me, man. It’s it’s such a good feeling to be able to be
Nestor Aparicio 13:50
part of this. I met on my Canadian Music tour. I’ve had dairy grant from honeymoon suite on and Rick Emmett, and now I’m spending time with Brian Greenway from April wine. They will be opening for triumph. When triumph comes to our area. In Camden, I think belief shows may 28 it’s right up just in Camden, New Jersey. I go up all the time. I’ll be going up for that show. That’ll be my first night with both of you. Hopefully that there’ll be some extension to the tour and whatnot, and rushes out doing all of these different dates. I just I find it fascinating. And there’s always money involved in personalities and bands. But once you get to be, let’s say, our age, and you guys are all a couple of years older than me, going out and doing this, and the privilege of doing it with members that you pick and your case and your band, some members have passed away, and you’ve morphed the band into where it is at this point in the case of Ross trying to find a drummer, in the case of triumph, just trying to put a band together that people would be excited to go out and see again, you get to package your music in a modern way, pick your set list in a modern way, modern instruments, voice tuning, all the things the show, the big stage behind you, and all the things you didn’t have at a club many, many years ago. And putting a show together like this, that’s got to be exciting. You said an arena tour. That’s, yeah, that’s, that’s big stakes for any band, even a band that’s been around for 50 years, right?
Brian Greenway 15:11
Yeah, that’s the ultimate goal. Is doing large shows. There’s no feeling like you walk in on the stage and it’s the air around the room. You know anybody you walk into a hockey game or a baseball stadium, especially in an enclosed stadium, it’s the air in the place has a certain feeling. You know it’s and even though people are quiet, you can hear it. There’s always a buzz going on. And to walk up there in this 150 foot wide stage, and you got 18,000 at least, people there. There’s nothing like it. The groundswell coming up. It’s large, you
Nestor Aparicio 15:43
know, and the largest go down, here you
8Brian Greenway 15:45
are, and then the lights go down, and you remember what to do, because you’ve been doing it for a long time. Well, you
Nestor Aparicio 15:50
know, all you old guys remember putting up little posters on the, on the, you know, on the fire hydrants and on the telephone poles. Come see our band at the gym, or come see our band at the club or whatever. And, you know, I’ve read Getty’s book recently, and Rick’s written a couple of books as well. With triumph. I know your partner, moss wrote a book just between you and me years ago, talking about on the field, off the field, touring, the business, all of those parts of it. But the moment that happened two, three Sundays ago, I’m just laying in bed. I can’t say that I’ve ever watched the Juno Awards as an American. I know a lot of you won a lot of the awards and whatnot, but rush coming out and surprising the world. And I, and somebody said to me in the market space, they’re like, Oh my God. They had a real viral moment. They had a real nobody knew they were doing it. Nobody sensed it or saw maybe in the building that night, there was a little bit of energy saying, Hey, Kenny and Alex and the young lady from Germany, she’s here, that they went out and did finding my way. And I thought to myself, What a moment for the Junos, for all of you who have been decorated in that way. You know, we have the Grammys here, and they’re controversial, political and all of that, but the Junos, to me this year. It got my attention. It got me in. I have Luke docent coming on, who’s played with Sarah McLaughlin his own band for a long time. I I was running around South America a couple weeks ago with Brian Adams and Keith Scott wasn’t on stage. I’m like, Who’s that guitar player who’s concentrating really well? And I’m thinking, you Canadian types, you all stick together up there with the Junos and whatnot. Oh yeah,
Brian Greenway 17:21
we’re a tight bunch. I thought it was great to see rush. It just blew me away. What a perfect opportunity, you know, to show everybody, yeah, this is legitimate. You know, she’s a great drummer. She’s a great addition to the band. And there I was. Everybody got goosebumps watching there’s a Canadian
Nestor Aparicio 17:40
8pride involved that I don’t even understand as much as I love rushing Getty Lee, right? But there’s, it’s different being from where you’re from, and having this be a summer of Canadian music,
Brian Greenway 17:50
I think, yeah, I’m really proud, and I’m really proud to be part of it. It’s, it’s a feeling you you can’t buy, you know, Frank greenways
Nestor Aparicio 17:59
here, he can’t buy the feeling. But you could buy a couple hours of April wine and triumph on the 28th of May, up in Camden, New Jersey, I’m certainly going to be making my way up. All right. So what can we expect? You know, I haven’t had Gil, I haven’t talked to Rick about set list and whatnot, but a big night April. Why means, I mean, you have a long, strong catalog to depict from,
Brian Greenway 18:19
yeah, 16 albums to choose from. We’re picking from the big three. First glance, harder, faster in nature the beast. Those were the popular years, the biggest years for us in Europe and the United States and Canada, where everybody recognizes those songs. Anything before 77 was only released in Canada, and after what 82 things started leveling off a bit. So those are our big songs. Gypsy Queen sign, just, just between you and me, I like to rock all over town.
8Nestor Aparicio 18:52
Roller Nice. All right, good, good, good. We’re gonna get them all in Brian. Greenway is here from April. Why taking a moment? And I know you’re literally getting on a plane tomorrow. You’re going to Florida. You’re going to get on stage and start this journey with triumph that goes into the spring and throughout your country and then down into the states into May. And I’m looking forward to seeing you guys on May 28 thanks for taking a little bit of time, and I will be there front and center for the reunion of a Canadian night of music up in Philadelphia. Thanks, Nestor.
Brian Greenway 19:21
Looking forward to meeting you again.
Nestor Aparicio 19:22
Appreciate it. Brian Greenway, joining us here from April wine, you can learn about all of their music in their band. It’s all available. Spotify all the places you get music. You can find that April wine.ca That stands for Canada. That means, oh, Canada. At some point, maybe Getty will stop in. There’s a rumor. I am Nestor. We are W N, S T, am 1570 Towson, Baltimore, talking rock and roll and appreciate it at Baltimore positive stay with us.
