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Hats off! Vancouver (on your golden jubilee) Andy Manson |
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Fred Weaver was known as one of the most expert pianists in the dance business in Vancouver of his time. He was born in St. Thomas, Ont. in 1882. After receiving early musical training there he moved to Hamilton, Ont and pursued a professional career together with that of piano tuning. He returned to Toronto and held positions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre and Kind Edward Hotel. In 1911, he was offered the position of manager of the Music Dept. in Spencer's Store in Vancouver. After that, he became musical director at the Vancouver opera house and the Avenue Theatre. He was also a good union member always prepared to assist his society whenever its members desired his services. During his career, Weaver also wrote many songs. Calvin Winter was born in Auburn, Indiana in 1883 and came to Winnipeg in 1912 with another well-known city orchestra leader, Earl Hill. In 1919, they both came to Vancouver and played in the old Hotel Vancouver orchestra. Calvin Winter later went to the Cotillion Ballroom as pianist and conductor until 1921 when he formed the Capitolians until talking pictures came in 1927. Shortly afterwards, Calvin Winter pioneered in radio broadcasting with his Home Gas Orchestra and had a series of weekly programs on CRCV. War put an end to this series so he organized a brass band for the Seaforth (R) Battalion. In 1936, he operated the Civic Theatre in Nelson, BC and returned after two years. After that he operated then sold the Marpole and Music Box theatres. He died in 1945. This song, a collaboration between Andy Manson and Fred Weaver, was written for Vancouver's Jubilee in 1936. It was featured by Calvin Winter and his Home Gas Orchestra and sung by Lorne M. Daly and Ernest J. Colton. The back cover gives a concise history of Vancouver and pays tribute to the city.
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