Mainline was my favourite Toronto blues band. The group featured Mike McKenna on lead guitar and Joe Mendelson on vocals and acoustic guitar. Joe was a very big man and he would sit and stomp his way through every song.
They played The Rock Pile on many occasions, usually opening for artists such as Buddy Guy.
Mainline only made two albums, but they resonate with authority.
The first album has one of the greatest titles of all time: Stink. The second album was recorded live at The Victory Burlesque in Toronto and includes my favourite Mainline song, Esmerelda.
The song could've been a hit but the band broke up soon after its release.
Joe Mendelson flipped his name around to become Mendelson Joe, a respected artist and writer.
Mike McKenna still performs in Toronto with his band Slidewinder.