Rock Rewind: How Kim Mitchell Became A Canadian Rock Icon 

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Few Canadian rock artists can boast a career as enduring and influential as Kim Mitchell. With hits like “Go for Soda” and “Patio Lanterns,” Mitchell’s guitar work and stage presence have made him a cornerstone of Canadian rock.

But his impact goes beyond catchy hooks … he helped define Canadian rock in the late 20th century and remains a figure whose work continues to resonate with fans both old and new.

With Mitchell playing at this year’s Birthday Bash, alongside The Trews and Bleeker, this is a perfect time to take an in depth look at his story …

Early Life and Beginnings

Born Joseph Kim Mitchell on July 10, 1952, in Sarnia, Ontario, Mitchell’s love for music began in his teenage years. He attended St. Clair Secondary School and quickly became involved with local bands, honing his guitar skills and developing his signature style. 

Some of Mitchell’s favourite bands were Captain Beefheart and Jimi Hendrix. He was also a big fan of Motown. 

"It doesn't show in my music, but I was a Motown fan. I loved The Four Tops and The Temptations. There was a clothing store in Detroit called Louis the Hatter, where all those guys would buy their suits. A bunch of us, still in our teens, went down there. 'Hey man, we're from Sarnia and we're in a band.' Can you imagine? We were innocents, but they liked us and set us up with pinstripe suits."

Rise with Max Webster

In Toronto, Mitchell founded Max Webster. The band's initial lineup included bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Phil Trudell. Originally called Stinky, then Special Delivery, the name Max Webster was inspired by a song titled "Song for Webster" by a Milwaukee Band called Family at Mac’s.

In 1973, the trio became a quartet with the addition of Jim Burton. Over the next few years the band’s lineup changed several times. During this time, Mitchell stayed on guitar with Tilka on bass and Pye Dubois co-writing lyrics as an unofficial, non-performing member of the band. 

Early in their career, Max Webster gained a reputation for their quirky blend of hard rock, progressive rock, and humor. They quickly became a staple on the Canadian bar circuit, earning acclaim for both their musicianship and offbeat stage antics. 

Releasing Music & Playing Live

The band’s first album, Max Webster (1976), showcased their eclectic style and inventive songwriting, with Mitchell’s guitar playing front and center. The album established them as a band willing to blend technical proficiency with humor and theatricality, a combination that set them apart from other Canadian rock acts of the era. Their follow-up, High Class in Borrowed Shoes (1977), reinforced this identity, featuring complex arrangements, playful lyrics, and the band’s signature energy on stage.

By the late 1970s, Max Webster had solidified a core lineup, with keyboardist Terry Watkinson and drummer Gary McCracken joining to complete the group’s classic formation. This period saw the release of Mutiny Up My Sleeve (1978) and A Million Vacations (1979), the latter of which included hits such as “Let Go the Line” and “A Million Vacations.” These albums captured the band’s growing ability to balance progressive rock experimentation with accessible, catchy hooks, earning them gold and platinum certifications in Canada.

Max Webster also gained attention for their live performances, which were known for their unpredictability, humor, and tight musicianship. They frequently shared stages with major acts, including opening for Rush on several tours, which helped broaden their audience and cement their reputation as one of Canada’s most inventive and dynamic rock bands.

Despite lineup changes and the sometimes complicated role of Dubois as a non-performing but essential lyrical collaborator, the band maintained a distinct identity, characterized by wit and adventurous musicianship. Max Webster’s body of work laid the foundation for Mitchell’s solo career, proving that he could combine technical skill with popular appeal while helping define the sound of Canadian rock in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Solo Breakthrough

By the early 1980s, after nearly a decade of touring, recording, and refining his craft with Max Webster, Kim Mitchell was ready to step into the spotlight on his own terms. While the band had established his reputation as a talented guitarist and dynamic performer, he sought greater creative control and the opportunity to explore musical ideas beyond the group’s collaborative framework. 

Leaving Max Webster marked a pivotal turning point … one that allowed Mitchell to translate the experience, skill, and adventurous spirit honed with the band into a solo career that would define him as one of Canada’s most enduring rock artists.

His solo breakthrough came with Akimbo Alogo in 1984. The hit “Go for Soda” gave him international exposure in the US and set the tone for a career defined by catchy hooks and inventive instrumentation. 

With Shakin’ Like a Human Being in 1986, Mitchell perfected a blend of rock energy, melodic storytelling, and quirky lyrical flair, producing enduring favorites like “Patio Lanterns” and “Easy to Tame.” These songs solidified his status as a defining voice in Canadian rock.

Rather than resting on early successes, Mitchell used subsequent albums like Rockland (1989) and Aural Fixations (1992) to play with sound, explore different lyrical themes, and push the boundaries of guitar-driven rock. Even as the industry shifted, he maintained a distinct style that balanced technical skill with broad appeal.

Mitchell’s later works, including Kimosabe (1999), Ain’t Life Amazing (2007), and The Big Fantasize (2020), demonstrate a continuing evolution, blending modern production with the trademark energy and storytelling that have defined his career. 

Over decades, his solo work has shown resilience, creativity, and a commitment to keeping his music both relevant and authentic.

Challenges, Health, and Navigating the Music Industry

Kim Mitchell’s journey has not been without hurdles. Beyond the natural pressures of sustaining a long-term career in rock, he has had to adapt to major shifts in the music industry from vinyl and cassette to CDs, digital downloads, and streaming. Each transition required balancing the demands of recording, touring, and audience engagement while staying true to his signature sound. 

Mitchell’s ability to reinvigorate his music through changing tastes speaks to his resilience as both an artist and a professional.

Health challenges have also tested his resolve. In January 2016, Mitchell suffered a heart attack, a sudden interruption that could have ended his performing career. But it didn’t …

After undergoing surgery, he not only recovered but returned to touring and recording, demonstrating his determination to keep creating music despite personal setbacks.

Mitchell has also navigated the broader pressures of the music business, from the challenge of sustaining a solo career after leaving Max Webster to maintaining creative control in an era of corporate record labels and shifting audience expectations. Through it all, he has remained a consistent presence in Canadian rock, using his experience to mentor younger artists and engage with fans across generations.

Ultimately, these challenges highlight a central truth about Mitchell’s career: his success is not just a product of talent, but of perseverance, adaptability, and an enduring passion for music.

Kim Mitchell Solo Discography 

Since 1984, Kim Mitchell has put out:

1 live album - I Am a Wild Party (1990)

2 compilation albums - Greatest Hits (1995) and Fill Your Head with Rock (2005)

He has also released 8 studio albums …

1. Akimbo Alogo (1984)

Released on June 28, 1984, Akimbo Alogo marked Kim Mitchell’s transition from Max Webster guitarist to solo artist. It was produced by Mitchell and Nick Blagona at Toronto’s McClear Place and released on Alert Records in Canada. The album showcased his skill at combining catchy rock melodies with strong guitar work, moving away from Max Webster’s more progressive style. 

Akimbo Alogo’s standout track, “Go for Soda,” became his signature solo hit, reaching No. 22 in Canada and entering the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. 

Co-written with longtime collaborator Pye Dubois, the songs on Akimbo Alogo explored personal reflection, relationships, and life as a musician. Tracks like “All We Are” and “Feel It Burn” blended energetic riffs with memorable melodies. 

The album went platinum in Canada and cemented Mitchell as a major figure in Canadian rock. 

Akimbo Alogo set the stage for his follow-up, Shakin’ Like a Human Being, establishing his solo voice.

2. Shakin’ Like a Human Being (1986)

Released on June 13, 1986, Shakin' Like a Human Being marked a significant milestone in Kim Mitchell's solo career. 

Produced by Mitchell at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, the album showcased a more polished sound compared to its predecessor, Akimbo Alogo. The standout track, "Patio Lanterns," became a massive hit, reaching No. 12 on the Canadian charts and earning the title of "quintessentially Canadian" by the CBC. 

In an interview, Kim Mitchell explains how “Patio Lanterns” almost didn’t make it to the album. 

"We had 13 songs and were going to use 10 on the album … I told the record label, take off ‘Patio Lanterns.' It took a long time to record and sing it. I could have spent another day on that vocal, to make it more playful and loose. By the time we finished mixing it, I thought, 'do I ever have to hear this again? … We ended up putting it on the album. That song changed my life in Canada. So, it's OK."

The album's success was further solidified by its triple platinum certification in Canada, selling over 300,000 copies. In recognition of its impact, Shakin' Like a Human Being won the Juno Award for Album of the Year in 1987. 

Other notable tracks include "Alana Loves Me," "Easy to Tame," and "Get Lucky (Boys & Girls)," each contributing to the album's enduring popularity. 

The album's blend of catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and Mitchell's signature sound solidified his status as a leading figure in Canadian rock.

3. Rockland (1989)

Rockland, Kim Mitchell’s 1989 album. In an interview, Mitchell explained why Rockland took so long to release after his solo debut. 

“Has it really been three years? Well, first of all, I hadn’t planned on taking that long, but I did plan on taking a bit of a break – living some life, getting some inspiration. I’ve watched a lotta artists, big and small, put albums out right after their last one, and it just seemed like a continuation of work.”

Produced by Mitchell, Rockland was recorded at McClear Place in Toronto and One On One Studios in North Hollywood. It marked a bold step forward in his solo career. 

The album went double platinum in Canada, becoming the fourth-best-selling Canadian album of the year. Its lead single, “Rock n Roll Duty,” was the second-most-played Canadian song on radio in 1989, reflecting Mitchell’s knack for crafting catchy, guitar-driven rock. 

Rockland solidified Mitchell’s status as a major figure in Canadian rock, proving that his solo career could thrive long after his Max Webster days.

4. Aural Fixations (1992) 

By 1992, Kim Mitchell was well-established as a solo artist, but with Aural Fixations he was ready to explore new creative territory. 

This was the first album he recorded without longtime lyricist Pye Dubois, instead collaborating primarily with Jim Chevalier. The change gave the songs a slightly different lyrical perspective, while Mitchell’s energetic rock sound remained at the forefront. 

Tracks like “America” quickly became fan favorites, with the single reaching number three on the Canadian charts, while songs such as “World’s Such a Wonder” and “Big Smoke” showcased his ability to blend hard rock intensity with melodic hooks. 

The album achieved gold certification in Canada, proving that Mitchell could continue to evolve while keeping his music appealing and distinctly his own.

5. Itch (1992)

In 1994, Kim Mitchell released Itch, his sixth studio album and the final collaboration with lyricist Pye Dubois. Produced by Joe Hardy, the album was recorded at Reaction Studios in Toronto and Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. 

The track "Acrimony" stood out, becoming a top 40 hit in Canada. Other notable tracks include "Lemon Wedge," "The U.S. of Ache," and "Karaoke Queen," each contributing to the album's rock-oriented sound. 

Itch received critical acclaim, earning a nomination for Best Album Design at the 1995 Juno Awards. 

Despite not achieving the commercial success of his previous albums, the album's blend of hard rock elements with introspective lyrics resonated with fans and critics alike, solidifying Mitchell's place in the Canadian rock scene.

6. Kimosabe (1999)

In 1999, Kim Mitchell released Kimosabe, his seventh studio album. Produced by Mitchell himself, the album was recorded at Phase One Studios in Toronto, Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, and his home studio. 

This album marked a departure from his previous works, featuring a more introspective and mature sound. The standout track, "Monkey Shine," with other notable tracks including "Stickin' My Heart," "Cellophane," and "Two Steps Home".

Kimosabe did not achieve significant commercial success, but it demonstrated Mitchell's continued evolution as an artist. The album's blend of hard rock elements with introspective lyrics resonated with fans and critics alike, solidifying Mitchell's place in the Canadian rock scene.

7. Ain’t Life Amazing (2007)

Kim Mitchell's 2007 album, Ain't Life Amazing, marked a return to his rock roots after a hiatus. 

Released on July 17, 2007, the album features a blend of hard rock with a raw, live-in-studio feel, reflecting Mitchell's unfiltered approach to music at the time. The title track, "Ain't Life Amazing," sets the tone with its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus. 

The album was recorded in various locations, including Toronto, Nashville, and Houston, and was produced by Jon Hardy and Los Bozos. Despite not achieving significant commercial success, Ain't Life Amazing resonated with fans for its authenticity and energy, solidifying Mitchell's place in the Canadian rock scene.

8. The Big Fantasize (2020) 

Kim Mitchell's 2020 album, The Big Fantasize, marked a significant departure from his earlier works. 

Released on June 26, 2020, it was his first full-length studio album in 13 years, following Ain't Life Amazing in 2007. The album features nine original tracks and four live recordings, showcasing a more introspective and mellow side of Mitchell. 

In an interview, Mitchell shared, “It’s a more cosmic, laid back, and earthy kind of vibe than what I would normally do; it’s both acoustic and electric guitar-driven with some really up-tempo tunes like ‘To Up to Be Down’ and ‘My Georgian Bay’. I even have a five-piece horn section on one of the tracks, so there’s also a bit of a jazzy deal.”

Produced by Grammy-winning producer Greg Wells, the studio tracks were recorded in Los Angeles and Toronto, while the live tracks capture the energy of Mitchell's performances.

The Big Fantasize received positive reviews for its mature sound and emotional depth. Critics noted the absence of the high-energy rock anthems that characterized Mitchell's earlier work, but appreciated the album's introspective nature and the growth it reflected in his musical journey. 

While it may not have achieved the commercial success of his past albums, The Big Fantasize stands as a testament to Kim Mitchell's enduring talent and willingness to grow as an artist.

Kim Mitchell: A Lasting Canadian Rock Icon

Kim Mitchell’s blend of guitar mastery, catchy songwriting, and charismatic performances has kept him at the forefront of Canadian rock for decades. From Max Webster to his solo career, he has continually evolved while staying true to his sound. 

After decades defining Canadian rock, Mitchell is still rocking stages and thrilling fans … and there’s no better time to see him live than this year’s Birthday Bash with The Trews and Bleeker.