If you have heard rock songs “Doesn’t Really Matter” or “Standing in the Dark,” then you may know of the popular Canadian rock band, Platinum Blonde. Originally formed in 1979, the band had a variety of members over the years, including vocalist Mark Holmes, vocalist and bassist Joey Ciotti, guitarist Sergio Galli, bassist and keyboard player Kenny MacLean, and drummers Chris Steffler, Ray Bailie, and Sascha Tukatsch. Kenny MacLean, who was a member of Platinum Blonde between 1985 and 1990, moved to Saint John, NB in 2006, where he lived for two years.
MacLean shared his musical knowledge and talent at the city’s Atlantica School of Music and Film. Additionally, he was the creator and artistic director of a company called hMh Music, which had an official academy opening in Toronto in 2008. Prior to his death, MacLean was likely behind the reconvening of Platinum Blonde 20 years after the band’s break up. After repeated suggestions about how the band should get back together, Mark Holmes finally took up his offer in 2008 when he made a guest appearance at one of his shows in Toronto. However, MacLean passed away shortly after due to a heart-related illness at the age of 52.
My dad, a local drummer who had the honor of playing with MacLean in Saint John, recalls his memories with him. “I was a huge fan of Platinum Blonde. I saw them in Halifax in 1985, I was 14, and met the band backstage—won a contest with Coca Cola,” says Kevin Shephard. Fast forward to 2006, MacLean had moved to the city and was involved with Atlantica School of Music as a teacher. Shephard was asked to join the ‘Atlantica House Band,’ a group that MacLean was a part of. “It was a very surreal moment for me to meet and be a part of a band with someone I looked up to so many years ago,” states Shephard. “It was even more surreal to be the one to drive him home after rehearsals. I don’t know why, but I never did mention to him that I had actually met him 26 years earlier.” MacLean had remained in uptown Saint John near Queen Square for two years. Unfortunately, Shephard did not have the opportunity to perform with him before he moved back to Toronto. “It was very sad to receive the news that Kenny had passed away in 2008. I am very blessed to have had the chance to jam with him,” says Shephard.
The memories of MacLean are still cherished through the mark he made in New Brunswick and the people he had spent time with all those years ago. Shephard adds, “He was an incredibly talented musician. I have fond memories of jamming Radiohead, Duran Duran, and of course, Platinum Blonde.”
The members of Platinum Blonde were heartbroken at the loss of one of their talented bassists and close friends. Contentedly, largely due to MacLean’s influence, Platinum Blonde successfully reunited in 2020 and are still together to this day.
