Biography
Canadian band April Wine came together in Waverley, Nova Scotia, toward the end of 1969. Vocalist and guitarist Myles Goodwyn, guitarist David Henman, drummer Ritchie Henman, and bassist Jimmy Henman relocated to Montreal shortly afterward. Their debut single, “Fast Train,” arrived in 1971 alongside the self-titled first album. Jimmy Henman departed soon after, with Jimmy Clench stepping in on bass. The following year the group scored its initial Canadian chart-topper, “You Could Have Been a Lady,” on the album On Record. Before Electric Jewels was tracked, David and Ritchie Henman exited; Jerry Mercer and Gary Moffet filled the drum and guitar chairs. Subsequent releases April Wine Live in 1974 and Stand Back in 1975 preceded another bass change when Steve Lang took over for Clench, who joined Bachman-Turner Overdrive and later Loverboy. The 1976 album The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy marked the first platinum certification for a Canadian release, and the accompanying tour became the first to reach one million dollars in gross receipts. Forever for Now surfaced that same year, succeeded by April Wine Live at the El Mocambo in 1977. Guitarist Brian Greenway joined during that period, expanding the lineup to six members. First Glance in 1978 and Harder…Faster in 1979 set the stage for “Just Between You and Me,” the band’s highest-charting American single. One of three U.S. Top 40 entries, the track helped push 1981’s Nature of the Beast to platinum status. Power Play appeared the next year, while 1984’s Animal Grace closed out the group’s studio output for that era. Goodwyn issued his debut solo album in 1988. Four years afterward the original members reunited for a Canadian tour that prompted renewed recording activity. Eight years after their previous single, “If You Believe in Me” preceded the 1993 album Attitude.
Albums
