Highway 60 Photos

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As you can tell by these photos (and videos to follow), June 14, 2019 was quite the night at Fairmount Theatre as family and friends celebrated Mitch’s 60th birthday.

Lorne Rubin was the driving force behind the event, with a lot of help from Shane Murphy, Mitch Garber, Lee Melnick, Leonard Yelle, Kesh Dheer, Ken Doran and several others. You can check Mitch’s Facebook post – and Lorne’s response – for more background info.

Special thanks to Olivier Corbeil, Veronique Ouelette and the staff at the Fairmount. Hope they enjoyed the special birthday cake that was never presented. On the other hand, most people probably didn’t have room for more food after sampling the catering courtesy of Lorne Wassermuhl at Maison Mash Catering, Dennis & Colin at Mirela’s/Magic Palace, Angelo & Tommasino from Vago on Greene and Bacaro’s on Ste. Catherine, Jack Maggione from Cook & Eat (Cook & Date/Mike’s Rub) and Jim Beauchamp from Cunningham’s Pub. And to JC & Phil from McAuslan Breweries for supplying the beer.

Cheers!

The following photos are in three separate categories. Click to enlarge and for captions.

Photos shot by Eva Blue

Less than two weeks after this night, Mitch Garber was named Member of the Order of Canada. Melnick's order is still being prepared - linguini vongole

Mitch's sister Rhona Bezonsky-Jacobs getting ready to read "Hey, Mr. Radio Man"

Mitch trying to explain mic technique to his mom Mitzi while brother Lee looks on

The real star of the show - 87 year old Mitzi Melnick

Beautiful moment while Garber is trying to listen to a call from Stephen Bronfman

Surprise appearance by an injured Chris Nilan after Knuckles' video greeting

Lee Melnick, Leonard Yelle and Lorne Rubin

The architect of the evening

Garber's photos will help get a ballpark built

Derek Seguin attempting to roast Mitch

Mitch w/ Annakin Slayd crew during Seguin stand up. That's Annakin sticking out of the top of Mitch's fedora. To his right is Ingrid Bauer and his father Gary. Next to Mitch (L-R) is Teddy Geogaros, Jon Rosner and Dennis Peikos

The first ever public performance by The Melnicks

Simon Nakonechny (sax), Mike O'Brien (lead guitar & vocals), Campbell Woods (lead vocals), Howard Bilerman (drums). Josh Toal (Bass & vocals)

Josh Toal

Campbell Woods

Mitch & Richard "Bugs" Burnett

With Patrick Krief, who just launched his terrific new album "Dovetale"

Gary Silverman

Big props to Lorne for putting it all together

With Conor McKenna while Lorne tries to find Shaun Starr

The Melnicks delivered high octane classic rock, from The Rolling Stones to Neil Young to Van Morrison to The Band, CCR, Steve Miller, Tom Petty and yes, Bob Dylan. Plus Mitch favs Steve Earle and Elvis Costello

With daughters Jade (R) and Phoenix (L)

Steve Hatajlo, Joey Elias & Rebel Len Yelle

Joey Elias and Bill Brownstein

Lorne and Marci. Thanks to both!

Bugs with Arlene Slavin of Rubin Fogel Productions

Thanks to the super friendly staff at Fairmount Theatre. And special thanks to Olivier Corbeil and Veronique Ouelette

Ken Doran

The Melnicks w/guest Steve Herskovitz far left in front of Simon on keys

It's Farrar time

Jay describing the wonders of working with Mitch

With Herb Zurkowsky and Ken Doran

At this point, Jay is thinking of remaining on stage to front his brothers' band

Bad idea. Almost cleared the room.

Shane Murphy in the shadows

Stage manager Steve Traynor to Jay; "Time's up"

Teddy Geogaros

Guest vocalist Tanya Eletto

Remember (Expos Tribute)

Jon Rosner

Annakin and band truly slayed with originals plus covers of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine and an electrified "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"

Conor Mckenna

Andie Bennett in the on deck circle

Conor introduced Marc Soumako who spoke for Mitch's old friend Russ Anber who couldn't make it but wanted to say a few words about Mitch's early and long time support of boxing in Montreal

When Andie asked for a show of hands from people who have driven Mitch home through the years, at least half the crowd of well over 300 raised their arms

Marc presenting Mitch with two pairs of beautifully personalized boxing gloves from Rival Boxing Gear.

"...and then there were the times he kept calling me Cathy..."

"VIP" area specifically set up for Shane Murphy

With Jonas Tomalty and JFL President Bruce Hills. Yep, it was a great night.

Let's get ready to rumble

Special guest Jason Kent from The Sunfelds

Marky Beats

That's Tony Lombardi on bass and James Correa on video cam

Special guest Celina Wolfe adding her vocal power to "Red House"

Photos shot by Victor Ahn-Royer

The first surprise of the night was Pierre McGuire who had told Mitch earlier on the air that he was home in Connecticut

Brownstein at the bar. He's done this before.

Second major surprise was the appearance of guitar legend Frank Marino, with Shane and Dennis Peikos. Great to see Frank, even though he was under the weather.

Jesse Stone and Patrick Krief

(L-R): Former TSN 690 sales ace Karen Bryant-Pepper, Dave Smith of Environnement Electronique, and EE music man Al Slominski and his wife Alex

Mitch's sister Rhona with her husband Lorne Jacobs and Mitzi

Early arrivals, long before Mitch arrived at about 7:40

Double barrel action from young Mr. Farrar

Mitzi 'n Mitch

Looks like Ken Doran. Or just about every other 50'sh guy in the place.

Among the first people to greet Mitch when he first walked in was Patrick Krief

"Hey Mr. Radio Man" was originally going to be sung to the tune of "Mr. Tambourine Man" Smart move by Rhona to just read instead of sing.

Sportsnet's John Bartlett in a crowd of Bell personalities, including Natasha Hall, Mathew Wood, Elias Makos, Jay Farrar and Dave Kaufman, backed up in front of the bar area.

Brother Lee describing why he became an Islanders fan in the very late 70s. Mitch was already a Habs fan and they were "too good".

Third big surprise of the night

Josh Toal "And It Stoned Me."

The Melnicks were surprise number 4.

Howard Bilerman of Hotel2Tango took home the night's top prize for costume originality after convincing the band to don fake bald heads with grey hair 🙂

With extended family Kelsey & Sam Brunette. Photo bomber Andie is family too. That's Sean Farrell of NHL.com in the back.

Joey Elias was supposed to perform some stand up but couldn't stop laughing long enough to stay on stage.

Special guest Rob Lutes with a beautiful cover of Warren Zevon's "Mutineer".

Jonas Tomalty joined Shane's band for a rousing version of the Muddy Waters classic "Good Morning Little School Girl".

The following photos were taken on the phone courtesy of Mitch Melnick, Mitch Garber,
Leonard Yelle, Gary Silverman, Howard Bilerman, Arpon Basu, Ben Raby and Jamie Roskies.