While Curtola said it felt a little strange, he was also rather pleased with the performer hired to play him in the musical review, Canadian Explosion. The show, featuring some of the most popular songs by Canadian musicians, continues at Stage West until July 6.
"I wanted to thank them for doing the skinny version of me," said Curtola, laughing. "The music just blew me away, and the songs were unbelievable. I was thrilled to be included.
"It's interesting to see a guy get up there and do you," he continued. "The music in the show is more than accurate; it's right on the money."
Curtola had a string of hits in the 1960s, with singles such as Hand In Hand With You, Three Rows Over and Don't Sweetheart Me. In the Stage West show, Curtola's song, Fortune Teller, arguably his biggest hit, is performed.
"It was nice to see and also a bit humbling," said Curtola. "After watching the show, I started to reflect on the time (period), the songs I was listening to on the radio and all the guys and gals I toured with. And, it's always nice to be remembered."
Stage West officials brought in Curtola as well as Lighthouse's Skip Prokop, The Stampeders' Rich Dodson, Little Caesar and the Consuls' Tom Wilson and representatives from The Four Lads to watch the show.
Other Canadian artists' music featured include Paul Anka, Hank Snow, Ian & Sylvia, Lorne Greene, Stompin’ Tom Connors, The Guess Who, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Dan Hill, Ronnie Hawkins, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, Trooper, Alannis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams and Shania Twain.
Curtola has a history with the musical's co-writer, Nevin Grant. The two go back to Grant's time at Hamilton radio station CKOC, and Curtola said he was the perfect guy to write Canadian Explosion.
"If it wasn't for Nevin, I don't know if I would have been launched in this area," said Curtola. "He knew all of us, he watched the music change and he lived it. Nevin has always been a supporter and when he told me he was writing a play about Canadian music, I knew I had to see it. What he did blew me away. I was so thrilled to see it."
cclay@mississauga.net
