Bernie Porter May 1, 2016

Bernie Porter May 1, 2016


Charlton Bernarr (Bernie) Porter* was a Victoria native, born on Caledonia Avenue and the first son of Robert John and Sarah Ethel Porter. His interest in music started with the violin at age 10 and then changed to piano and trumpet. As a youth he worked at Kent's music store on Fort Street in the radio and record section. Soon he started a small group of musicians in the early 30's which later grew to a 17 piece band which included his brother, Vernon on string bass. As the orchestra leader, he played trumpet and his band opened for such names as Harry James, Duke Ellington and Tex Beneke, when they came to the Memorial Arena. He played for dances at the YMCA and The Club Sirocco, where he opened a music and dance studio and was soon teaching his future wife, Lorna. His orchestra would often do charity events such as the "Red Cross Pint Parade" in 1951 at the Odeon Theatre where the only admission fee was to pledge one pint of blood to see a stage show. As the business grew to include the sale of musical instruments, he needed more space and moved to several locations over the years, eventually buying his own building on Caledonia Avenue in 1972. He employed many teachers and sales staff to handle the pupils and instrument sales including organist, Reginald Stone, with whom he performed on piano at different events. He was the first agent for Titano Accordions in Victoria and later became the agent for Baldwin Pianos and Thomas and Kimball Organs. He started many aspiring students on a musical career and enjoyed spreading his love of music onto others. He retired in 1988 and began to play out at seniors retirement homes with his good friend, Reg Stone. He was a kind, generous and gentle man who was very modest about his accomplishments. * Times Colonist May 23, 2003

Additions: COL Radio , Fraser MacPherson , Bernie Porter , Reginald Stone , Talisman Music Centre and Wicked Shimmy

Profile/photo updates: Ralph Adolphe , BJ Cook , Bob McGill , Club SirOCCO , Crystal Gardens , Fred Usher , Bernie Porter Orchestra , Prism Victoria

Video updates: The Apaches (1) , The Bapco Paint Band (1) , B.C. Sound Productions (1) , Bobby Faulds & The Strangers (1) , CKDA (1) , Canadian Strangers (1) , Club 6 (2) , Club Tango Oak Bay (1) , Mark Comerford (1) , Chrissy Steele (2) , Dave Harris (1) , Lightning Express (2) , The Pharaohs (11) , The Playboys (1) , Pete Sivertson (5) , Wayward Trio (1) ,

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Featured Events

Featured Historical Events

Featured Article

A passing of the torch for Victoria's rock music history archives
Royal City Music Project co-founder Glenn Parfitt wants valuable cultural material preserved
Published by: Monday Magazine
Author: Don Descoteau
Rook
from Victoria BC
Hanover Fist
from Victoria BC
Les Weiss
from Victoria BC
Tony Trip
Rock - hard rock (melodic) from Victoria BC
Soft Rock Cafe
Venue
1976 - 1984
The Riverqueen
Venue
1968 - 1971
Club Paradise
Venue
70s - 80s

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