FRIENDS OF THE KING EDWARD HOTEL GUEST BOOK
People Who Care About Calgary's History and Culture

"Calgary's Home Of The Blues" The Kind Edward Hotel was condemned by the City of Calgary in 2004......GET INVOLVED WITH SAVING AND PRESERVING THE HISTORIC KING EDWARD HOTEL................... LAST UPDATE Aug 20, 2008

IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO GET INVOLVED,
PLEASE CONTACT US
 
Download an application and
Become a Member of
The Friends Of The Eddy

Sign our guestbook

View our guestbook

Read Harry M. Sanders "Colourful" Article On
The History of The King Edward Hotel

 

Do You Have any Stories about The King Eddy?
Click here to share your tale about the King Edward Hotel
and we'll post it on the Remembering The Eddy webpage
for all to enjoy

January 16th, 2006

Name: Johnny V
E-Mail: Johnny V
Website: Johnny V's Webhouse

 
During the boom years of the late 1970s and early 1980s Calgary's land developers destroyed most of the beautiful old downtown structures to make room for office and apartment buildings. In doing so they cut out a big piece of the culture and history that made Calgary such a wonderful city to raise a family in. With this next boom of the new millennium in full swing, I fear the older buildings that are still standing are slated for the same destiny if we the citizens of Calgary don't take immediate action to put a halt to this reckless destruction of our city's heritage, history and culture. The people involved with this project deserve a standing ovation from us all. Keep up the good work.... Johnny V
 
January 19, 2006
Name: Jeremy Hood
E-mail: entheos99@hotmail.com
 
Let's not let ANOTHER piece of Calgary be torn down and removed forever.... Why the city would demolish this building when we have so few left?
This is progress? I think not. Kudos to everyone involved in saving this building, which should be a protected heritage site. Keep up the good fight!
 
January 20, 2006
Name: Karen Keller
E-mail: karenkeller@shaw.ca
 
Can't tell you how much I miss the Eddy. It was famous when I moved to Calgary 27 years ago. Always had a great time on New Years Eve and I've been lucky enough to see some really famous blues artists there. I have been wandering around here and there - catching the old musicians at different venues. Good to see the old gang -one here and one there. Johnny V has been keeping me informed and Bill Dowey and Amos Garrett have been good enough to get back to me when i e-mail them. See Joanne once in a while too. Wouldn't it be great to have the King Eddy and everyone back. Pleaeaease get involved - there is a lot of history that could be lost forever, not to mention the fact that we could all go and hang at the Eddy again.
 
January 20, 2006
Name: Glen McIntosh
E-mail: glnmcintosh@yahoo.ca
 
There's some good alternatives in town, but there's only one Eddie.
 
January 20, 2006
Name : Lynda Cote
E-mail: musichick@hotmail.com
 
I miss the Eddie, good luck guys.
 
January 20, 2006
Name : Bill Durrell
E-mail: bdurrell@telusplanet.net
 
I spent many happy nights listening to the best blues a fan could ask for. I'd be happy to join forces with others to save this great building and keep both blues and history alive in Calgary!!
 
January 21, 2006
Name: Brad Taylor
E-mail: bgtaylor@shaw.ca
 
I enjoyed the Saturday Blues Jam, and seeing top notch musicians from all over the world at the "Eddy". Hopefully the powers that be in our city will realise the culture and heritage that this building encompasses.
 
January 23, 2006
Name: Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl
E-mail: david@twisters.ca
 
The King Eddy is the home of the blues in Canada! So many great memories and especially great people. Please save the Eddy!!- Dave
 
January 23, 2006
Name: Eddy B
E-mail: blueheartarchive@sympatico.ca
 
I strongly believe in protecting and preserving the King Edward Hotel as an historic site in Calgary Alberta.
Congradulations to all those that have taken this meaningful project under their belts to, in part, keep the King Eddy as a cultural centre that promotes The Blues.
 
January 23, 2006
Name : Eric Thom
E-mail: eric.thom.5@sympatico.ca
 
On this eve of the national election, it's a treat to contribute to a worthy cause...I've been lucky enough to tip a few pints here and enjoyed some deep blues within the walls of this regal establishment from days gone by - the best kind. Calgary is a great city - they deserve to preserve a piece of history this rich. Hope you kids can keep it there and keep the politicians focused on what's important to real people.
 
ET
January 23, 2006
Name: Cameron Wight
E-mail: camwight@hotmail.com
 
I hope to be able to offer any help in saving this historic building because its the first bar my dad ever took me to and showed me a different side of himself. it was great.
Date: 26 Jan 2006
Name: Theo Brown
E-Mail: rhythmosyncopath@yahoo.com
City: Saskatoon
Province/State: Saskatchewan
 
Here's hoping that the elegant decor and gourmet dining and world class entertainment will be able to be experienced by many at the King Eddy for many years to come. There is no place like that place so it must have been the place.
Date: Jan.25,06
Name: James Mills
E-Mail: jamash@spots.ab.ca
City: Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
Every year from the time I was 6 years old my Dad took me to see the Stampede Parade. We would sit on the second floor of the King Edward Hotel watching it through the hall windows that faced south onto 9th Ave. I remember meeting the blues legends that played at the Eddy and have pictures with many of them. I was thrilled to see them play a couple of times watching from the front entrance into the club. Seeing and hearing the blues is what inspired me to learn and play the drums and I feel like I've been ripped off, because I always thought one day I would play Calgary's Home Of The Blues with my Dad's band. Give a kid a break and save this building so I can play there when I get old enough...
Date: January 26, 2006
Name: Michelle Goshinmon
E-Mail : michelle.Goshinmon@encana.com
City : Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
As much as I love our dynamic and growing city I also love the heritage and history that brought us to where we are. You have to know where you came from before you can move forward and it seems that in todays mad rush to be constantly growing it is easier to just erase and forget about the history. The King Edward hotel is too important a piece of this city's history to just erase and forget. I for one am honored to be apart of this movement and willing to do whatever I can to make sure this doesn't happen!! Please join us in our efforts to save the bastion of the Blues in Calgary!
Date: January 26, 2006
Name : NJH
E-Mail : Declined
City: Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
In this day and age of bigger and better, it is important to remember our roots and preserve what we can to help all future generations have a better understanding of the flavour of our city and it's past. I have been going to the King Eddy for years and years. Being an 'original Calgarian', I can remember when it used to be "Calgary's Home of Country Rock". My friends and I would go there, listen to great music and dance up a storm. Later it became "The Home of the Blues" and I continued to frequent it when I needed a fix of good, live music. I am very pleased this initiatve has been started and I sincerely hope the folks in power realize the importance of doing whatever is necessary to preserve this landmark hotel. Thanks to you all for this outlet and means for the fans to express their thoughts on this subject.
Best of luck!
Date: Jan 30th 2006
Name: George Tarrant
E-Mail: tarrantg@telus.net
City : Okotoks
Province/State: Alberta
 
I have many fond memories of the Eddy in it's heyday. Lots of great talent from near and far graced that stage and spawned a great new generation of players....so let's save the old girl for future generations because....baby the blues ain't going away any time soon!
Date: January 31, 2006
Name : lan Beaulieu
E-Mail: alan.beaulieu@encana.com
City: Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
Michelle Goshinmon alerted me to your site. Thanks to you all for taking this on. I thought the the King Eddy was done for.
Date: Feb 1, 2006
Name: Lisa
E-Mail : alisa@nucleus.com
City : Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
My first bar! and one that we kept coming to over the next 20 years... my children each had their first "legal" drink at the Bar .... in fact it was my son who came home bearing the news that the Eddy was closed ... we immediately jumped into our car to try to get one last drink... here's to saving the Eddy .....
Date: February 3rd 2006
Name: Bill Dowey
E-Mail: billdowey@hotmail.com
City : Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
Date: Feb 5 2006
Name: Rob
E-Mail: rob@themusicianslounge.com
City: Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
This is a great idea and we are 100% behind you and supporting this 100% at
www.themusicainslounge.com
 
BRING BACK THE EDDY!!!
Date: Feb 5, 2006
Name: Bob Corriveau
E-Mail: sideshowbobband1@gmail.com
City: Calgary
Province/State: AB
Date: Feb 5, 2006
Name = Matchstick Mike
E-Mail: miker1@nb.sympatico.ca
City: Fredericton
Province/State: N.B.
 
The King Edward Hotel is blues university for those of us who have had this music choose us. I owe a ton of gratitude to Bill Dowey and all his cat's and the staff who over the course of a few years befriended this young aspiring, maritime blues player. Through this time I had the chance to meet and be inspired by many incredible artists passing accross that stage....a stage that was unlike anything I had ever seen before. If we ever hope to keep the live blues alive ; it is essential to have places like this providing a very significant cultural outlet. To me, the King Edward Hotel is important a site as any art gallery, library or school and I would hope that the decision makers could understand this. It is culturally important to have a peice of history preserved for other generations to come and experience the "real" blues.
Thanks Calgary for everything, and to all the cool cats whom I know, who might be reading this....I hope to see you at the Eddy again soon. Let's pray.
East coast blues is alive and well.... watch that Carter Chaplin go ...man!!
Yours in the blues,
Matchstick Mike & The Chain Smokin' Alter Boys
Date: Feb. 7, 2006
Name: Craig Burton
E-Mail:
City: Calgary
Province/State: AB.
Date: 02/09/06
Name: Adrian
E-Mail: adrianlepine@shaw.ca
City: Edmonton
Province/State: AB.
 
I believe, you must listen to the people , and if you can't leave it , try to move it. For the people , and there kid's and kid's kid's to come .
Date: February 11,2006
Name: Kent Collingridge
E-Mail: kctwofeathers@netscape.net
City: Calgary
Province/State: AB
 
Keep the Blues alive! Bring back the Eddy.
Date: February 21, 2002
Name: Derek Smith
E-Mail: del_vs@hotmail.com
City: London
Province/State: U.K.
 
A few years ago I was lucky enough to work in Calgary for over 2yrs. The memories of my time there are great but highlighted by two of the best blues clubs I have ever been to (in 30 yrs of traveling around the world). I heard that one had closed a few years ago and that saddened me but to hear that the Eddy has been forced to go the same way is insane. When will people understand that its places like this that make a community and a city, not bright flashing lights and electronics in a bland modern box structure. Fight hard to keep the King Eddy open Calgarians deserve it. 99yrs is not a drop in the ocean as far as buildings go in most societies, educate the planners in reality, and refurbish what can never be replaced.
Date: February 21, 2006
Name: Krystalle Tanner
E-Mail: ktanner8@telus.net
City: Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
Right on Phil and Other Friends.
Date: Feb 25 2006
Name: Dwayne Morphet
E-Mail: dmorphet@shaw.ca
City : Calgary
Province/State: Alberta
 
So good to see your website. When they get around to rebuilding the King Ed let me know. I would like to be part of it.
Date = march 1 2006
Name = george abel
E-Mail = geoabel1@telus.net
City = calgary
Province/State = alta
Comments = I have heard many-meet meny-and introduced wonderful people at the Eddy
 
Loved It and Miss IT
Date = March 3, 2006
Name = Kimberly Dick
E-Mail = kdick648@mymrc.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = AB
Comments = PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE SAVE THE KING EDDY...
 
I haven't drank since I left.
Date = March 11,2006
Name = Sue
E-Mail = dooger@telusplanet.net
City = Calgary/Lethbridge
Date = March 14, 2006
Name = Laura Todd
E-Mail = williewaitsanother22@yahoo.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = Ab
Comments = The King Eddy has been such an integral part of the Canadian Blues scene. It was known as the best Blues club west of Toronto. That's pretty up there. We can't lose it.
Date = March 16th, 2006
Name = Michael Richards
E-Mail = hiddenvalley069@yahoo.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = Alberta
Comments = Memories of early (under age) draft beers in the late 70ís, hearing some of the BEST artists of this "blues" form of music, new to me, different from the Rush and Sabbath my friends were swinging their long hair to, realizing how much I liked sooooo very many other forms of music than what could be found on the local radio offerings.
 
Flying in and out of town on business all through the 80ís, both introducing many people to this remarkable venue, and being introduced to many people while there, I built a strong friendship circle, all of whom appreciated and promoted LIVE music in the local desert of a club/pub scene. It was there I met the people who brought me into the fledgling Jazz Society, met supporters of CKUA, and a few unknown jammers, with names now found signed on their own cd covers. I "after cashout" partied with Shelley, Leah, other great staff and many players, I witnessed new stages, new layouts, and new beertaps. And all through this ìnewî, the strength and power of the "old", the classic, the best damn blues bar in these parts, just kept on impressing me.
 
I've fought for a bar stool in the corner, a chair for our coats, some table space, I've fought for that all important waitress's eye contact, a place in the bevvie line, and sometimes fought for my breath in the gent's line. Now, it's time I gathered up my friends and fellow Calgarians to fight for the venue itself. Too many memories to let this one turn to dust, too, folks!
 
Michael Richards
Calgary, AB
Hiddenvalley069@yahoo.ca
Date = March 19, 2006
Name = Mark Maginel
E-Mail = madge73@hotmail.com
City = Sylvan Lake
Province/State = Alberta
Comments = Blues, bikes, babes and beer. The King Eddy had it all. Long live the King!
Date = March 19/06
Name = Randy Rogers
E-Mail = rogran@shaw.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = Alberta
Comments = I have very fond memories of many, many nights of great blues and a relaxed atmosphere where everyone got along & respected one another. From the fur coats of some women to the bikers and everyone in between,I have never been in a bar where everyone got along so well. Everyone came to enjoy the blues,not create some for other people.
 
Miss it a lot.....Randy Rogers.
Date = march 20 2006
Name = jerrad morosoff
E-Mail = advantagecleaning@shaw.ca
City = calgary
Province/State = alberta
Comments = Seen Buddy Guy on friday night and did not have a chance to sign the petition
 
But pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease make this a viable venue again, where we as blues fans can see the best of the best in a intimate and home feeling setting.
 
Regards
Jerrad
Date = March 20/06
Name = juliet Burgess
E-Mail = juliet.burgess@gmail.com
City = calgary
Province/State = AB
Comments = I am new to Inglewood and have heard stories of what the Eddy once was and what it represented. I think Calgary's blues scene is nil and we need to rebuilt the Eddy into what it once was. A place full of soul and a community built on a passion for the blues. Thanks, FOKE.
Date = March 22, 2006
Name = Kim Retallick
E-Mail = kretallick@shaw.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = Alberta
Date = march 2006
Name = bg wingerter
E-Mail =
City = calgary
Province/State = ab
Comments = i grew up in calgary since 1958. i seen all the good pubs go, from the highlander the beacon the summit. i even remember the empress and the royal. all the buildings are being torn down to make room for the future. well if you call listening to some guy spin cds or people singing to other peoples count me out i,m fighting for the king eddy. what next the york then the regis our history is leaving calgary .we must fight to see the live acts which in my opinion are getting more rare every year,
Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006
Name = Padre
E-Mail = padre@adrian.cc
City =
Province/State =
 
Comments = My name is Padre I am from Mexico.Cool site. Thanks.
Date = April 15 2006
Name = Black Cherry Perry
E-Mail = pgangur@shaw.ca
City = Calgary
Province/State = Alberta
Comments = I'd love to see the King Eddy revived. I'm from Vancouver and hung out at the Yale. Everybody there knew about the King Eddy. I remember the first time I was ever at the Eddy. It was a Tuesday night back in '99. I'd flown in on business and had wrapped up my day, so I headed to the Eddy, still wearing a shirt and tie anticipating some blues. Apparently at the time Tuesday was amateur stripper night. A dozen beers and 45 loonies later I stumbled out of the joint, still hadn't heard a tune even close to the blues, but I sure had a great time.
 
Bring back the Eddy
Date : August 7, 2008
From: John C Julien[mailto:]
E-Mail: gowiffer@hotmail.com
 
Just want to say great page keep it up!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
 

 

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