On a November night in 1988 that will not soon be forgotten, the El Mocambo venue in Toronto was filled to capacity with almost 500 people for the Air Canada Big Brothers Benefit concert. The event, which took place on November 30, was a resounding success not only for those in attendance, but also for the young kids who were able to receive Christmas gifts as a result of the proceeds from the concert, which were donated to the Big Brothers organization. At the end of the night, Steve Polak, the organizer of the event, presented a check for $4,000 to the organization on behalf of the Air Canada airport employees.
The concert began at 7pm with a local folk and country western singer who entertained the early arrivers with a selection of classic songs from the genre. As the night went on, the crowd grew and by the time Johnny Loveskin and his band took the stage at around 10pm, the venue was packed with excited concertgoers. Johnny Loveskin and his band played for the energetic crowd until late in the night, performing a mix of original songs and cover tunes.
After Johnny Loveskin and his band finished their set, a group of talented Air Canada employees took the stage and entertained the audience with their performances. This group included Brian MacIntyre, Andy Moffat, Chuck Gratchi, Ron McEwan, Sandro Massaroni, Troy Andrews, Fred Stahls, Wayne McMullen, Roland Ariss, Bill O’Hara, Dugald Carmichael, Chuck Bonelli, Al Barisko, Roger Burke, and Damian Walsh. These talented individuals kept the crowd on its feet for hours with their stellar performances.
The success of the concert was due in large part to the support of a number of sponsors, including USAir, Odyssey, Comair, Air Ontario, Delta Business Express, KAL, Air Jamaica, and Carling O’Keefe. The management and staff of the El Mocambo venue were also essential to the success of the event, as was Johnny Loveskin and his band. Overall, it was a night to remember for all who attended and a great way to kick off the holiday season by raising funds and spreading cheer to those in need.
