if I'd like to hold on to the guitar for a bit. I can't describe what it felt like to have come full circle from that high school to actually playing his guitar, which oozes The Toronto Sound. It IS that sound, although Donnie was the only one who could squeeze those sounds from it. I am merely a facsimile of what I learned from my friend. Not a gig or session goes by where I don't try to ask him for guidance. That guitar should be in every soul and music museum everywhere. I wouldn't have had the capacity to be any more thrilled if I had the chance to play Hendrix's Strat or George Harrison's Gretsch.” David Clayton-Thomas, multiple Grammy Award-winning Canadian musician, singer/songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the American band Blood, Sweat & Tears, says of working with LaBarge: “I’ve known Bernie LaBarge for decades. We’ve recorded and toured the world together, and working with him was always a joy. The ultimate groove player and one of the finest blues players alive.” LaBarge's many other influences include (in no particular order) Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Curtis Mayfield, James Burton, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Albert King, Domenic Troiano, Steve Cropper, Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Elvis Costello, Robin Trower, Howard Roberts, Elliott Randall, Rick Derringer, Elliot Easton, Peter Frampton, Gary Moore, Peter Green, and Kenny Marco. As for how LaBarge influenced other musicians, Danny Weis of Lou Reed, Iron Butterfly, Bette Midler, and Rhinoceros fame, offers: “If you have Bernie LaBarge on your gig, you know you're covered. He always knows the right thing to play, and always has a smile. When he played with me on the Rhinoceros reunions gig in 2009, it felt like the original band was back together as he covered that guitar part perfectly. When you've got Bernie on stage, you're in for a good time. He's a great guitar player and a great friend.” Partial discography Catwalk – Rain (1972 single Axe Records) Louise – Rain (1973 single Axe Records) China – China (1978) Dream Away – Bernie LaBarge (1981 WEA single, produced by Daniel Lanois) Long John Baldry – Long John Baldry (EMI 1980) Effective Immediately – Zwol (EMI 1981) Time Stands Still – Christopher Ward (1981) Bit Parts – The Extras (musical group) (1981, Ready Records) No More Bread and Butter – The Irish Rovers (1981, Attic Records)