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Once upon a time, I waitressed at a bar called Betty’s. Betty’s was known for their Deep Six and incredibly amazing staff that could Deep Other-Things. Betty’s had a long history in Toronto, dating back over 30 years, before it closed permanently at the end of 2022. FUN FACT: it was originally called The Betty Ford, until the ‘ole cease & desist letter came into play.
While other girls set their sites on the bartenders, I always preferred the busboys for some reason. I like to think that I was part of their initiation process! (Hey it was the 90’s, things were less sensitive back then). I’ll never forget Adrian from Vancouver Island. He was in Toronto for the better part of 1995, shy and awkward and played the didgeridoo; an instrument as eclectic as he was. Adrian was fascinating and different from any guy I’d ever met before, and I fell hard. Perhaps not the greatest busboy, but an incredible musician that opened up an entire new world for me.
We dated for about four months and through Adrian, I met someone that would change the complete trajectory of my life. I met the one and only Martin Tielli of The Rheostatics. Martin is famous for playing his one-of-a-kind hand-painted double-neck guitar, adorned with red maple leaves. He is a mind-numbingly brilliant musician, accomplished painter and mesmerizes with an acrobatic vocal style.
It was the mid-90’s, and Sarah McLachlan’s beautiful rise to fame was well on its way. Already being an accomplished pianist and singer, I wanted to close the trifecta and learn guitar. I was fortunate enough, through Adrian’s intro, to not only meet Martin Tielli, but study guitar with him. That stretch of learning guitar and watching The Rheostatics’ gigs were some of the most memorable and best days of my entire life.
Claire was The Rheostatics' biggest commercial success
Skip ahead to 1.54 to hear classic Martin Tielli absolutely dominate his Steinberger GP-2T electric guitar
