Song penned by Keith McKie inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Keith McKie immigrated to Canada with his family in 1953.

Landing in Sault Ste. Marie, McKie got a taste for rock ‘n’ roll in his teen years and became the frontman for The Vendettas, a popular local band that eventually migrated to Toronto.

In Toronto, McKie and fellow Saultite and bass player, the late Alex Darou (who also played in the Vendettas) formed the basis of a new band named after one of the city’s important cultural hubs, Kensington Market.  

McKie and Darou were joined by guitarist and pianist Gene Martynec from Bobby Kris & The Imperials, drummer Jimmy Watson and, after releasing a couple of singles, former Luke & The Apostles frontman, singer/songwriter Luke Gibson. These five members formed what is considered the band’s classic lineup. 

According to their Wikipedia page, the members of the band were brought together by legendary music executive, talent manager and founder of True North Records, Bernie Finkelstein, who helped the band eventually sign with Warner Brother Records.

After recording the soundtrack for a National Film Board film, the band recorded and released their first album, Avenue Road in 1967, featuring the McKie-penned hit “I Would Be The One”.

The success of that single helped bring Kensington Market to perform for large crowds both in Canada and the major markets in the U.S., even landing them the opening slot for Jefferson Airplane who were, at that time, at the height of their popularity.

Not long after the release of their next album Aardvark in 1969, the band dissolved.

Fast forward 50 years, and in late 2019, Keith McKie and his song “I Would Be The One” would finally be recognized for the major contribution it made to Canadian music.

In October of last year, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) announced the induction of six songs, from the 60s through to the 80s, that had a major impact of the Canadian music scene, but deeply connected to Toronto. Kensington Market’s big hit was one of those six.

“We were founded by Frank Davies in 1998,” says Vanessa Thomas, Executive Director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. “The last few years we’ve been taken all our inductions, both songs and songwriters across Canada. We are honouring songs and songwriters in the areas of Canada where their fans came from and their scene was.”

“I Would Be The One” was honoured at the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame celebration in Toronto.

“That song was such a part of the Toronto scene,” says Thomas. “The night we honoured ‘I Would Be The One,’ but we were also honouring songs from Toronto, including the Yorkville Scene, the El Macombo, the legendary Kensington Market scene … there was so much history there.”

Thomas says that “I Would Be The One” really stood out for music fans in 1968. The song was a national hit at a time when it was difficult for Canadian artists to get their songs on Canadian radio.

The song charted well nationally competing against international artists. According to the CSHF website, the single hit No. 1 on RPM magazine’s Canadian Content chart for two weeks in September, topping the Irish Rovers, Andy Kim and The Stampeders.

“It got a lot of airplay even when CanCon regulations weren’t in effect,” says Thomas. “It jumped out on the charts without any other support, just because it is such a great song.”

The CanCon regulations Thomas is referring to are the Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission regulations from 1971, which required Canadian broadcasters to dedicate a certain percentage of their programming to Canadian material.

The CSHF held a special industry and public event last November at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre. The event, called “DECADES: The Toronto Sound of the ‘60s, ‘70s & ‘80s,” featured a special performance of the song by its songwriter McKie and his bandmate Gibson.

In addition, the night featured other songs and songwriters that influenced the Toronto scene over the years, including Foot In Coldwater’s “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want,” Maestro Fresh Wes’s “Let Your Backbone Slide,” Parachute Club’s “Rise Up,” Klaatu’s “Calling Occupant of Interplanetary Craft,” and Mandala’s “Opportunity.”

“It was unbelievable. We had most of the original songwriters sing the songs themselves which was such a treat. They all sound really amazing still. When ‘I Would Be The One’ was played the audience just loved it. It’s a really good song.”

Thomas explains that the Hall of Fame’s decision to take the music it honours to the communities where it originated was a big, but important, change for the organization.

“Instead of doing one big [national] gala every couple of years, and because there are so many songs to celebrate, we bring the music to the people. Our mandate is to educate the public about the achievements of the amazing songwriters that Canada produces.”

On his Facebook page, Bernie Finkelstein noted the achievement of Kensington Market and the recognition of the song by the hall of fame.

“I'm extremely proud and happy for Keith McKie and the Kensington Market for their song ‘I Would Be The One’ being inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

Beyond working with the band, Finkelstein had another more personal connection to the song itself. An earlier recorded version of the song was the first song he had ever produced for an artist. That recording helped land the band their record deal with Warner. Despite that personal achievement, Finkelstein still tipped his hat to Avenue Road producer, Felix Pappalardi (Cream, Mountain) who produced the final version of the song that became a hit. “Felix's version is much better.”

The lasting power of the song and the songwriter behind its creation was not lost on Thomas.

“Kensington Market has such talent and still sound as amazing as ever,” she says. “Their voices are amazing. The night was a great celebration with their families, friends, fans and music industry attendees. It was a beautiful mix of people. The Pheonix, who has put on over 700 shows this past year, said our night was their favourite. There was a great spirit in the room.”

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame already has an “amazing” 2020 lineup of inductees planned, and the celebrations include a celebratory event in Sudbury.

Find out more about the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame here.