Michael Fonfara

Journeyman keyboardist BORN 1946

Born in Stevensville, Ontario, keyboard player, arranger and producer Michael Fonfara studied piano at the Toronto Conservatory of Music before joining local R&B act Jon & Lee And The Checkmates. After working with Blood, Sweat & Tears’ David Clayton-Thomas, in 1967 he briefly joined Mike Bloomfield’s soul and blues band The Electric Flag. Thereafter, he joined Elektraassembled rockers Rhinoceros on organ, scoring a minor US hit with his 1968 co-write Apricot Brandy. Producer Paul Rothchild recruited him to join Blackstone in 1972, which lead to sessions with The Everly Brothers, Lovin’ Spoonful and Ry Cooder. Fonfara worked with Lou Reed on five studio albums, beginning with 1974’s Sally Can’t Dance, and earning co-writer and production credits on Growing Up In Public (1980). In the ’70s he was also a member of Toronto provocateurs Rough Trade, while his other notable session dates included the mega-selling Foreigner 4. In later life he played R&B with The Lincolns and in the Downchild Blues Band.

Jenny Bulley