Fathead (band)

He entered the rhythm and blues club scene in the 1960s then graduated to Soul and Funk as a member of The Insiders in the 1970s while touring with James Brown.

In 1978 he came to Toronto, Ontario to stay, at that time he was still performing all styles of music and was the co-founder of The Bleeker Street Band prior to becoming the lead vocalist for Fathead in 1992, returning to his devotion of the blues, deep soul and gospel.

[6][7][8] Al Lerman (born 1954) founder and organizer of the Fathead band is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the harmonica, tenor saxophone and guitar as well as being a singer and songwriter.

[9] Lerman then began seeking out many of his musical heroes, receiving advice and being fortunate to sit in and play with blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim and many more.

[19] Bucky Berger, originally performed with the band Rough Trade, which was formed by vocalist Carole Pope and Kevan Staples in 1968.

[21][22] Over a long career, he has played and/or recorded with Chilliwack, David Wilcox, Danny Brooks, Curley Bridges, Elvin Bishop, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Maria Muldaur and many others.

In 1983, King was recruited by British blues artist Long John Baldry, whom he remained with over 20 years permitting him to travel internationally, in the United States and across Canada.

[25][26] In the early years King played in influential bands in Toronto, Ontario including Hott Roxx and Hogtown Heroes, as well as being the regular guitarist for blues musicians Rita Chiarelli and Danny Brooks.

King was the house guitarist at the now closed famed Club Bluenote in Toronto, Ontario where he backed such artists as Martha Reeves, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Solomon Burke.

The band has had a succession of drummers, being Mike Fitzpatrick, Ed White, Chuck Keeping, Hayden Vialva and Bucky Berger.

[34][35] John Mays, Al Lerman and Ted Leonard joined and remained members of The Maple Blues Revue.