Musical Muses- Doug and the Slugs
Being an early 80’s kid, I was privy to being brainwashed with Doug and the Slugs music – knowing the words but not understanding the context behind the hilarity of ‘Making It Work” (bedroom fables) or funny “Too Bad” (cheater shaming). At a young age all I knew was that their music was so much fun to sing and dance to! My parents didn’t hesitate when hauling us 3 kids to shows (thank you 1980’s loose bar law days!).
It wasn’t till years later I realized Doug Bennett (RIP) and I had similar sense of humour & energy to entertain others despite looking like a… well, anyways…
Fast forward 20 + years later…
About a month after ‘the’ surgery I moved back with Mom as was wheelchair bound and couldn’t live alone *cue the Price Is Right losing horn noise*.
I was choking with guilt about feeling like such a burden despite being reassured I wasn’t. It wasn’t right! Parents shouldn’t have to deal with such a heavy burden taking care of their adult children!
I had an idea…. Since Mom was such a big fan of ‘Doug and the Slugs’, I emailed their website asking if someone could contact my Mom to wish her Merry Christmas. I shared what big fans we are- and for me, my new mantra and their song “Day By Day”. It was also the title of the book I was currently writing.
A couple weeks later, my Mom and I are sitting in the living room- passively watching the usual cheesy Christmas specials on the boob-tube.
“OH MY GOD!” I remember Mom looking up at me from her computer in shock. Simon Kendall of Doug and the Slugs had emailed her! I remember saying to her with a quivery voice, “Merry Christmas, Mom”, fighting back the tears. They later connected on the phone, where after Mom floated around the house like royalty, as if she was officially accepted into the clan of the ‘cool kids’ in school.
As I continued recuperating from surgery, Doug and the Slugs’ music would play on the radio at the best of the worst (toughest) times. I still remember being at the rehab hospital, taking laboured steps on the parallel bars (learning to walk again) when what comes on the radio? Day By Day <3
“Bad news don’t ruin my appetite
don’t let the papers
tell me if it’s wrong or right.
I just do what I do and I do it
day by day by day by day….
Day by day, I’m feeling stronger –
Day by I’m lasting longer”
It was a few years later, an Simon kept in contact with us – asking for updates on how I was doing. Wow. One day, Simon emailed me to share the band was going to DEDICATE ‘DAY BY DAY’ TO ME IN CONCERT the next day in Calgary, Alberta. I remember Mom and I (Ontario gals) looking at each other in silence with creeping smiles with the same crazy idea….
WHAT IF?….
Yep. We took a flight from Toronto to Edmonton the next morning to catch the show. WoW! SO EXCITING!
The dedication was awesome – Mom and I danced and belted out the lyrics to ‘Day By Day’. After the show, we were invited to hang out with the band in the green room. I was beaming for my Mom. The guys were so incredibly kind, and funny. Wally even gifted me the drumsticks he used for that night.
Months later my book was almost ready to send for publishing. Thanks to red wine, I had the courage to call and ask Simon if he would do me the honour of writing the foreword of my book, “Day By Day“. With no hesitation, he did! <3
Good thing we went! Little did I know- months later, I’d have full head and spine radiation (4 years after surgery).
This is when it was discovered my chronic tailbone pain was in deed related. Theory is: prior to the surgery a piece of the brain tumour had broken off and went down my spine and slowly started to grow….. I KNOW! It’s nuts! only 7 people in the world! I was told I was a ‘special case’ dozens of times. I’ve told this story at speaking events with, “If ONE MORE person tells me I’m ‘Special” I’m gonna (while shaking my fist). Always good for laughs. I digress…
A few years later Mom and I flew to Vancouver to celebrate their 40th Anniversary with a packed concert at The Commodore Ballroom! We were even interviewed for their upcoming documentary “Doug and the Slugs and Me” by Directer Teresa Alfeld (now at www.dougandtheslugs.ca)
I am so incredibly grateful that Doug and the Slugs continued performing their music after Doug Bennett’s passing at 52 (1996). Lead singer Ted Okos hasn’t been just carrying the torch of the band, he’s been twirling like a baton *hahah And the original (recorded) band members Simon, John, Richard, Steve and Wally are still making it work! Woooo!