The Early Years

Born in Oshawa, Ontario. Lori spends her days singing to the birds outside her window. Her family moved to Spadina Rd in Toronto when she was 5. She has her first “lightbulb” moment watching The Supremes sing "Stop in the Name of Love" on the Ed Sullivan Show. “That's what I want to do,” says a little voice inside. Her fate is sealed.

Lori's hippie poet Grade 6 teacher Mr. McLeod, had the class write a poem a day. At the end of the year, Lori had a thick volume of prose and rhymes, and a writer was born.

Her mind is blown by Merry Clayton's blistering vocal solo in the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," She dreams about life in music while belting Tanya Tucker, Patti Smith, Pink Floyd, and Dolly Parton down Wilson Ave. She secretly starts to take singing lessons.

1978 - Lori was discovered by Louis Yachnin, the bass player of Lighthouse, at a party in an old farmhouse north of the city. “Senseless” become regulars at the Woodbridge Hotel and Miss Edgar's Muddy Water Hotel, playing Blondie covers for bikers and local farmers.

After a series of gigs opening for male strippers, a second guitar player joins the band. His last gig had been in a stadium. He was a big deal. He turns his amp to ten and yells, "Chicks don't belong in rock," She wears earplugs to hear herself sing. She quits the band but doesn't give up.

1979 – Lori outgrows her "first-generation Yorkdale mall-babe" roots and tries to leave Downsview behind. She discovers Queen St. W, the Beverly Tavern and the Ontario College of Art. She rents a room with her best friend in a “dirty mansion” on Indian Road in Toronto's High Park that has kelly green shag carpeting throughout and a bathtub in the kitchen.

At 19, Lori starts writing original songs with The Last Resorts, a Toronto punk/new wave band. Their first gig was at Turning Point's legendary punk palace with blood-splattered walls and a carpeted stage. They play regular gigs at the Cabana Room and Larry's Hideaway opening for Wayne Kramer & MC5 and Teenage Head, a career highlight.

The Last Resorts:

Stan Demonsky guitar
Bill McMullan bass
John Charlton - Chowie drums
Pete Hudson roadie

The Last Resorts at the Cabana Room.

The Last Resorts at Larry’s Hideaway.

1986 – Cowpunk is the popular music on Queen St. W. Handsome Ned is the king at the Cameron House, Blue Rodeo are cutting their teeth at the Holiday Tavern, and Lori unwittingly becomes the “Queen of Alt-Country” when she forms the high-energy cowpunk band Rang Tango. She will be later touted as one of the "pioneers of the alternative country scene" in Canada.

Rang Tango gained rapid popularity with its fresh blend of country & rockabilly. They open for Steve Earle, Alex Chilton, The Mekons, and Asleep At The Wheel.

Rang Tango:
Brad Fordham - bass
Ed Goodine - drums
Lee Warren - guitar
Annette Paiement - vocals

1987 – Rang Tango recorded an unreleased 12 E.P. produced by Danny Greenspoon. Sony Music Nashville offered Yates a contract as a solo artist.

Rang Tango’s glowing review in NOW Magazine.
The first of many.

Rang Tango plays the Diamond Club with Jeff Healey.

NOW Magazine Cover

Sweat soaked and happy from a packed show at the Horseshoe Tavern.

1989 - Lori signs with Columbia - Sony Nashville.

Can't Stop the Girl, recorded in Nashville with producer Steve Buckingham, includes Albert Lee, Colleen Peterson, and Mark O'Connor. She co-writes with Guy Clark, Don Schlitz, Wendy Waldman and Matraca Berg.

"When I met legendary producer Billy Sherrill. He shook my hand and said, 'There's only one redhead in Nashville, and that's Reba! I thought, man, I'm in trouble!" Trouble in the Country (track 6 on Sweetheart of the Valley) recounts the story, which thickens her skin and opens her eyes to the realities of the music business.

Two vintage concert tickets for the band Head Space, featuring their last performances at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto, priced at $3 and $2.00, with event dates in February 1982 and December 1981.

Performing with Little Jimmie Dickens on the Tommy Hunter Show.

She experienced a spontaneous midnight session at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio with Bob Johnston producing that included Marty Stuart on mandolin and Roy Husky Jr. on bass. She tours with Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Lori earned a Juno and Canadian Country Music Award nomination.

Lori records a duet with Gregg Allman for the movie Next Of Kin, starring Patrick Swayze and Liam Neeson. Records with Tracy Chapman's producer in David Kershenbaum.

Having lunch with Tammy Wynette, Harlan Howard, at the tail end of Nashville's golden era.

Toronto Sun - March 19, 1900

New York photo shoot for Can’t Stop the Girl

Columbia Nashville Promo Shots

Touring band: Gordie Johnson, Kit Johnson, Danny Greenspoon, Bucky Berger 1991

Back from Nashville...straight hair again...Wallace St. Bridge

Lori signs a record deal with Virgin Music Canada. With manager Gary Pring and VP Doug Chappell.

"Breaking Point" is released —Lori tours with Jann Arden, Blue Rodeo, and Colin James.

Colin Linden and John Whynot produced it at the famed Bearsville Studio in Woodstock, New York. Rick Danko (The Band), Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo) sing harmony vocals, and Richard Bell (Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band) on piano.

"Ah, that desperate Canadian sound" - Rick Danko, upon hearing Lori sing Rebel Angel.

David Baxter, Cleave Anderson, and Bazil Donovan of the famed Sharks play and tour on Breaking Point.

The “Heck Ladies” Annette Paiement, Lance Bennett, Leti Anderson, Gord Barry

Great gig at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre. Hosted by David Ramsden and special guest; Cindy Matthews, Laura Hubert, Meryl Caddell, Amanda Marshall, Molly Johnson.

Country fireball

1998 – Untogether marks a musical departure for Lori into the “trip-hop.” It's deemed "before its time" and the second release by Virgin Music Canada. It was produced by Opium Concepts - Eric Ratz (Billy Talent, Monster Truck, Arkells), Domenic Macri, and John Gilbert.

Although the record was quickly "shelved" mere weeks after its release due to restructuring at the record company, Lori heralds Untogether, where she found her voice both as a singer and writer.

Features a club remix of Lost Highway by the Boomtang Boys and an extended dance mix by Alex G.

The Record

The song "The Future Is Here" is featured over the closing credits for the movie The Hanging Garden starring Sarah Polley.

Opium Concepts: Eric Ratz, Domenic Macri & John Gilbert - Juno Party

Virgin Music Canada promotional photos.

With David Baxter accepting the SOCAN #1 Award for Martine St. Clair's “Usure De Jours.”

1997 - Alternative country "supergroup" Hey Stella was formed and quickly gained a reputation as one of the country's premier "live" acts. Thousands of patrons caught Hey Stella in the cavernous back room of Ted's Wrecking Yard and Ted's Collison as part of their weekly residency. Their irreverent and charming approach to traditional country tunes and their originals included humour, pathos, and stellar musicianship. The night often ended with Lori standing on a stool belting out Leonard Cohen's "So Long Marianne" while everyone in the bar sang along with her, making them a crowd favourite.

The band took time off while babies were born, solo records were made, and careers advanced. But then they returned to a regular residency at the Cameron House that made them Queen West favourites on Tuesday and Saturday nights for many years.

On November 4, 2023, guitarist David Baxter passed away quickly from congenital heart failure. RIP, Bax. He is missed by everyone in the community and beyond—no one played guitar like him.

Hey Stella at the Cameron House

2002 – Lori moves to Hamilton with her husband and baby son. She works with guitarists Brian Griffith (Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Daniel Lanois) and Mike Eastman (Ronnie Hawkins). The musical community lovingly embraces her until she returns to Toronto in the winter of 2023.

Lori's lyrics "Concrete rises hits you like a kiss" from her song Angels with Bloody Knees are immortalized by artist Dave Kuruc's permanent art installation. "Music Markers" is situated in the southwest corner of Hamilton's Gore Park. Other artists include Robbie Roberston, The Arkells, and Terra Lightfoot.

2005 - Lori forms the Evelyn Dicks with Chris Houston, Buckshot Bebee, Jimmy Vapid, and Cleave Anderson.

Harvest Picnic with: Emmylou Harris & Brian Griffith

Hamilton City Hall

The Hamilton Spectator

2007 – Lori releases acoustic-based Book of Minerva, incorporating folk elements and featuring guitarist and co-producer David Baxter. It was recorded at Pine St Studios. Guest vocalists include Justin Rutledge, Tom Wilson, and Tim Gibbons. The substantial merits of this country-folk gem are recognized by the Hamilton Music Awards, with Lori winning Songwriter of the Year and Alternative Country Recording of the Year.

Greater Hamilton Magazine

2014 - Winner - Established Artist, City of Hamilton Arts Award

Lori Yates, a woman with red hair smiling and holding an open wooden box with a metallic tree of life medallion inside, at an indoor event with other people in the background.

Musical note sculpture awards on wooden bases placed on a wooden table near a window with snow outside.

2014 - Lori produced sold-out variety shows that include many of the new and established artists.

2015 – Lori records Sweetheart of the Valley at David Baxter's studio, Knob, and Tube. Mastered by Nick Blagona (Deep Purple, the Bee Gees, and The Police).

Sweetheart of the Valley receives worldwide air-play, topping the #8 Roots Music Report #6 EuroAmericana chart.

View Magazine

Promotional Photo

Recording harmonies for “Trouble in the Country” with Hamilton’s Bad Gal Choir; Treasa Levasseur, Terra Lightfoot, Buckshot Bebe, Ginger St. James, Mary Simon, Mimi Shaw, Dottie Cormier, Lena Montecalvo, Rita Chiarelli & Chris Houston (not pictured).

Massey Hall with the 2015 Women’s Blues Review

2015 - Lori created the "Creative Genius Songwriting Workshop," aiming to "write, record, and perform new songs. Because of Lori's vast experience as a writer and performer, the community was naturally drawn to her as a mentor/coach. Creative Genius Songwriting was an instant hit and is consistently sold out from its inception to the present day.

2016 - Lori is nominated for the Polaris Prize longer list. She plays at festivals: Mariposa, Harvest Picnic, and Hamilton Music Awards.

With Gordon Lightfoot at Mariposa