Picture of Lem Motlow the man who the band was named after.
"I do have some info regarding a band, largely forgotten, that was around in 1970 and has some part in the creation of Blues Union. In, I'd say, mid-1970, there was a group, a blues trio, named Lem Motlow that was comprised of Bill Burdick (bass), Mike Balfe (drums) and Richard Payne (guitar & vocals). As you know, Burdick and Balfe later were original Blues Union members. Payne was a original member of City Blues Band (pre-Victoria version). Lem Motlow opened for Bayside Blues at The Purple Onion in 1970. This band also had played a few private/legion type gigs prior to this. After the Purple Onion gig it was decided by some members of both bands to combine and become Blues Union, hence; "a union of blues musicians". I remember the discussion, set forth in the kitchen of the house I lived in, on Niagara St. in James Bay.
What came of all of this was the first Blues Union line-up: Bryan Hunt (guitar), Bill Burdick (bass), Mike Balfe (drums) and Bob Lesher (harmonica/vocals). The band's first steady gig was at the Taj Mahal (later The Brown Jug) on Broad St.
Re: Lem Motlow; There is no know photos of the band, which probably existed as a unit for about five months...but if it had not existed, there is a very good chance blues Union would have never evolved at all.
I am in touch with Payne, who now lives in Toronto, to see if he has any more info on Lem Motlow. Lem Motlow, BTW, was a famous American whiskey brewer". Bob Lesher Jan 2012
Below is a list of Artists and Resources in the database. We have worked hard to collect as many individuals and bands as possible, though we are certainly aware that this list is incomplete. There may be inaccuracies in the collected information. Please contact us if you find anything that needs correcting, or click the + sign at the top right of this page to add People and Resources who are missing from the listings.