The Northern Report Podcast: Episode 028 - Bob Lucier

Bob Lucier grew up in the Chatham, Ontario area and got his start on the Pedal Steel Guitar in the 1960’s with help from Ollie Strong. He spent his early days on the bandstand in the taverns and bars in the once vibrant honky-tonk scene of Toronto, playing with Wally Dean at The Drake Hotel and on to The Edison Hotel with Mickey McGivern and the Mustangs.

In his great career, he backed legends like Johnny Paycheck and Bill Anderson and was featured on stage and television with the likes of Harry Hibbs, George Hamilton IV, and for 17 years as a member of the band for the Tommy Hunter Show.  His pedal steel work featured prominently on several of Anne Murray’s top-selling albums, as well as records from Eastwind, Ian Tyson, George Hamilton IV, Dick Nolan, The Rankin Family, Dick Damron, Anita Perras & Tim Taylor, Ronnie Prophet, The Irish Rovers, The Family Brown, and many, many more.

Bob’s first solo album Nerves Of Steel is especially notable for containing a rare instrumental single release that would earn airplay and an appearance on the Canadian country hit charts with his rousing steel guitar version of the Hank Williams classic, Hey Good Lookin’. The single would reach #17 on the RPM Country Charts in 1977. In addition to the Nerves Of Steel album, Bob also recorded three albums during the 1970s with Nashville dobro master Shot Jackson on the Marathon and Condor record labels. Later in his career, Bob would release another fine solo album, Eleven Favorites and a duet album, 88 & 10 with ivory tickler, Mel Aucoin.

Bob was gracious enough to share his time and some stories from his great career and I’ve got to send him an extra special thank you for indulging me and my questions surrounding honky-tonkers and personal favourites like Mickey McGivern, Roy Payne, and Dick Damron.