Anita LeBlanc
Anita LeBlanc of Peachland is a karaoke host in the Valley. Her current gigs include Tuesdays at the Edgewater Pub in Peachland and Thursdays at Toro’s Neighbourhood Pub in Vernon.
Born in New Brunswick, she grew up in the Lower Mainland in a family that loved music. In the 1980s, she was a member of the Electric Lunch Orchestra, which performed many times at the Commodore in Vancouver. Since 1990, she has hosted her own karaoke show, which always includes a tribute to some of her favourite artists.
COURIER: At what age were you on stage for the first time?
LEBLANC: Mom had us onstage in talent shows, etc., from the time I was five, so we were used to being on stage together. I did solo for a while, playing guitar, but I have never felt comfortable being on stage alone.
COURIER: What music did you grow up listening to?
LEBLANC: AM rock, till I met some hippies who lived across the lane from us who introduced me to Janis Joplin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Cream, Led Zeppelin . . . so I loved everyone from The Archies to Zeppelin.
LEBLANC: Did you study music in high school?
LEBLANC: I took band and played baritone to have access to a piano. I was a bad baritone player because I never practised. It was a long way to carry something that big. My teacher just thought I was no musician till he walked in on me one day learning piano by ear and lambasted me the next day in front of the class.
“How dare you have this talent and play baritone so badly and hold us back.”
I didn’t really care because all I wanted was to play piano, so he gave me a D but let me have access to the piano.
COURIER: How exciting was it playing at the Commodore?
LEBLANC: It was fun. The local Vancouver radio station had a band and, of course, knew everybody, so we got to play with some fun guys. The late ’80s were such an awesome time and we met a lot of amazing people. Drew, the owner of the Commodore, was such an incredible person and treated us like gold. He always sent up huge plates of food and covered all the bands’ drinks. He even sent a limo for us a couple of times, so we felt pretty appreciated.
COURIER: Who was the most famous person you met?
LEBLANC: We partied with the Slugs a lot, but Doug (the lead singer) was never part of that as he and his wife would have some downtime before the show. We met some members of Cheap Trick, then were kicked out of the band room so they could keep the guitars in it. I met Tommy Tune, who was with Cheap Trick, and he came over to tell me I reminded him of Tina Turner. We opened for Steppenwolf, Alvin Lee and Ten Years After, The Kingsmen, and Long John Baldry.
COURIER: You also studied acting. In your opinion, why are the arts such an important part of a school curriculum?
LEBLANC: I was so fortunate to have studied theatre under Lee Taylor, who was an exceptional teacher and a great actor himself. It is heartbreaking to see the arts programs being cut because sometimes they are the only outlet for kids who feel like outsiders. They are able to create their own entity by performing together and encouraging each other.
COURIER: What skills are needed to be a good karaoke host?
LEBLANC: I think my background in music has helped because I can tell when the key is wrong and adjust it so it is perfect for their range. Also, when somebody is lost I can get them back on track and they are good to go. It also helps to know a wide variety of music and lyrics because every night somebody comes up and asks a question like “the song by that guy that has the lyrics “I got a little change in my pocket going jing,” and I’ll say, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself by Georgia Satellites.”
COURIER: Of all the great rock and pop stars the world has lost over the past two years, whose death were you most affected by?
LEBLANC: David Bowie, because he was a really good person as well as a great talent. I know several people who knew him quite well. They were elderly and he seemed drawn to older people. He kept in touch with them, sent cards. I think that says a lot about him.
COURIER: You and your husband Mark have been together for 36 years. That doesn’t happen a lot with musicians. What’s the secret to a long and successful marriage?
LEBLANC: Marry your best friend and remember to be kind and tolerant. Don’t let stupid, petty things ruin the way you feel about each other.
COURIER: Do you sing in the shower? LEBLANC: Yup. COURIER: Let’s end with some quick hits. What’s your favourite all-time song to perform?
LEBLANC: Currently, it is “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cook.
COURIER: The most popular song with singers?
LEBLANC: Sweet Caroline or Don’t Stop Believin’.
COURIER: The easiest song to sing if you’re a beginner at karaoke and don’t sing particularly well?
LEBLANC: For girls, I Love Rock and Roll. For guys, Folsom Prison Blues.
COURIER: The best song to duet on?
LEBLANC: Summer Nights or Jackson.
COURIER: Best audience participation song?
LEBLANC: Everybody loves Sweet Caroline, but, of course, YMCA and Hey Jude are great because everyone knows their parts.