“An end to an era and the start of a new one, all in one show.” — The Retired Menace

Complete Timeline

• 1972

  Stinky, Special Delivery, Then Something BetterOrigin

  Sarnia guitarist Kim Mitchell plays the first gigs in December 1972 as a trio with bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Phil Trudell. The band briefly goes by Stinky, then Special Delivery. Mitchell’s childhood friend Pye Dubois comes aboard as lyricist, a non-performing member whose words would define the band.

• 1973

  The Name SticksLineup

  By early 1973 they settle on Max Webster, a name Tilka came up with from a Milwaukee band connection and a song inspired by jazz saxophonist Ben Webster. Jim Bruton joins on keyboards, and Paul Kersey replaces Trudell on drums in April.

• 1974

  Terry Watkinson JoinsLineup

  Keyboardist Terry Watkinson replaces Bruton in February. The Mitchell/Tilka/Kersey/Watkinson lineup becomes the longest-lasting in the band’s history and earns a Toronto bar-circuit reputation for humour, stage antics and Zappa and Jethro Tull covers.

• 1975

  Signed by SROMilestone

  Ray Danniels’ SRO Management, home of Rush, signs the band. That connection shapes the next six years.

• 1976

  Max Webster — Debut Goes GoldAlbumLineup

  The self-titled debut, co-produced by Rush producer Terry Brown, reaches #32 in Canada and goes Gold. After a Canadian tour opening for Rush, Kersey leaves and Sarnia drummer Gary McCracken takes over.

• 1977

  High Class in Borrowed ShoesAlbumLineup

  The second album goes Gold. Tilka leaves afterward. Billy Sheehan, Mitchell’s first choice, does pre-production on the next record, but the bass job goes to Dave Myles, another Sarnia veteran.

• 1978

  Mutiny Up My Sleeve — Headliners at HomeAlbum

  The third album goes Gold. By now Max Webster headlines most major Canadian markets while still supporting Rush outside the country, eventually more than 200 times. They’re playing 200 to 250 dates a year across bars, high schools, theatres and arenas.

• 1979

  A Million Vacations — Platinum and Real HitsAlbumHit

  A Million Vacations goes Platinum and gives the band its first Canadian chart singles: Watkinson’s “Let Go the Line,” McCracken’s “A Million Vacations” (the only song he sang for the band), and “Paradise Skies,” which also reaches #43 in the UK. The live album Live Magnetic Air follows and goes Gold.

  They tour the UK and Europe supporting Rush, headline London’s Marquee Club and mime “Paradise Skies” on Top of the Pops. Then Capitol refuses to fund a headlining European tour, and the overseas momentum stalls.

• Jun 1979

  First Time Headlining the GardensMilestone

  On June 22, with Streetheart opening, Max Webster headlines Maple Leaf Gardens for the first time. Geddy Lee walks on to sing the “AOMU” part of “Rascal Houdi.”

• Dec 1979

  New Year’s Eve at the Gardens, Part OneMilestone

  The first of two consecutive sold-out New Year’s Eve shows at Maple Leaf Gardens, with Saga and Private Eye opening, plus a young comedian named Bob Saget. Fans still rank the two NYE shows as the band’s peak.

• 1980

  Universal Juveniles and “Battle Scar”AlbumLineup

  Watkinson leaves before the sessions. The fifth and final studio album, Universal Juveniles, goes Gold. Its centrepiece, “Battle Scar,” is recorded live in the studio with all three members of Rush: two bands, two drummers, Geddy Lee and Kim Mitchell trading vocals.

  Myles leaves right after recording. Mitchell builds a touring band around himself and McCracken, with Mike Gingrich on bass, Steve McMurray on second guitar and Greg Chadd on keys. Watkinson returns in December as a salaried touring member.

• Dec 31 1980

  The Retired Menace at Maple Leaf GardensI Was There

  The second sold-out New Year’s Eve, and Max Webster’s last headlining arena show. B.B. Gabor takes a bottle in his first song and gets booed hard despite Kim Mitchell coming out to ask the crowd for some manners. Goddo goes over huge. Kim splits his gold spandex mid-set and finishes in an orange jumpsuit, counts the Gardens into 1981 off the hockey clock, and Geddy Lee comes out for the encore with his Teardrop bass to sing “Battle Scar.”

• Early 1981

  The Last LapTour

  Club dates in Montreal, Halifax, Hamilton and Ontario, a short UK run in January, then arena support for Rush across the U.S. Midwest and South. Along the way, The Retired Menace seen them on March 19, when they play the Commodore Motor Inn in Kingston.

• Apr 1981

  Last Show — MemphisTurning Point

  After supporting Rush at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on April 16, Mitchell dissolves the band, citing exhaustion and a lack of label support. The compilation Diamonds Diamonds follows later in the year.

• 1982–86

  Kim Mitchell Goes SoloHitJuno

  Mitchell’s self-titled 1982 EP wins him the 1983 Juno for Most Promising Male Vocalist. Akimbo Alogo (1984) brings “Go for Soda,” his only U.S. Hot 100 entry, and Shakin’ Like a Human Being (1986) brings “Patio Lanterns” and the Juno for Album of the Year. Pye Dubois keeps writing the words.

• 1990

  One-Night ReunionReunion

  The High Class lineup of Mitchell, Watkinson, Tilka and McCracken plays the Toronto Music Awards.

• 1995–96

  Reunion TourReunion

  A proper reunion tour, with Peter Fredette on bass. Mitchell and Dubois fall out during the tour and stop writing together.

• 2007

  Q107’s 30th BirthdayReunion

  On May 24, Mitchell, Watkinson, Tilka and McCracken reunite at The Docks in Toronto for Q107’s 30th anniversary. Fredette sings Geddy’s part on “Battle Scar.”

• 2017

  The Party Box SetBox Set

  Anthem Records releases The Party, remastering nearly the whole catalogue with unreleased live and studio material and Mitchell’s long-out-of-print solo EP.

• 2023

  Canada’s Walk of FameHall of Fame

  On September 28 at Massey Hall, Max Webster is inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, at the same Canada’s Rock of Fame ceremony as Trooper. Mitchell, Tilka, Kersey, Watkinson, McCracken and Myles all attend.

• 2026

  A Brutal YearRIP

  Terry Watkinson dies on February 28, aged 85. Gary McCracken dies on September 17, aged 75. A week later, lyricist Pye Dubois dies at 77. Former keyboardist Jim Bruton also died this year.

Complete Discography

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