In the late 1970s, Martin Tielli, Tim Vesely and Dave Bidini were three Etobicoke, Ontario teenagers who would pile into their parents' station wagon and drive in to downtown Toronto to witness with awe the explosion of musical art in the form of new wave and punk rock.

In 1980, they played their first show at one of those Toronto clubs as the Rheostatics. Over the course of the past twenty seven years, the band has become a Canadian independent legend, both on the live stage and on their many albums.

Tonight, the legacy comes to an end with one final performance at Massey Hall in Toronto. Dave Bidini took time out of what has been a busy and emotional time to speak to CBC Radio 3 about the recent Rheostatics surprise tribute album "the Secret Sessions" - featuring Rheos covers by Barenaked Ladies, the Weakerthans and many others -and his feelings towards the end of this major chapter in his life.

posted by Grant Lawrence on Mar 30, 2007