Roddy was born in Sandy Hill and later raised in Vanier (or Eastview) into the famous McCann family. He began playing sax professionally in 1960 in Gracefield, Lac St. Marie, Kazabazua, Quebec with "The Valiants", then continued in ’62 with "The Showmen", playing in clubs at Buckingham, Thurso, Masson, Gatineau Mills, Hull and Maniwaki. In 1964 he started playing rythmn guitar as well.
In the early 70’s he did a sabbatical to Europe, joined 2 Irish showbands, touring Ireland, England, Wales and 6 weeks on American forces bases in Western Germany. In 1973, he was the resident sax player at Irwin Prescott’s Golden Rail in Vanier, Ontario. 1974 saw him form his own band, Patchwork, renamed to Private Stock, playing mostly private functions with an occasional gig at local pubs and bars.
In the 1990’s he was part of Bobby Curtola’s backup band when in Ottawa. He was a member of The Fabulous Heartbeats 50’s and 60’s rock’n’roll band since early 1990’s.
In 2001 he moved to Golden Lake, and played with the Eganville Legion Jam Band, Wilno Country Band, Wilno Blues Band and most recently, The Heartbreakers Country Band.
Through the years, he has performed with many Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame musicians.
|