Behind The Vinyl: "Let Go The Line" with Kim Mitchell from Max Webster

[@tnargskoorb1]

This is one of the few songs for me that I never ever get tired of hearing. That speaks volumes for how really great it is.

[@stuartelder2791]

Same. One of my favourite songs of all time and never get tired of hearing it.

[@backlash660]

My favorite Max Webster song and one of my favorite songs of all time .

[@tinman3000]

Every time I hear this song, I'm that 10 year old kid listening to my Jil Candle clock radio again. Great nostalgic vibes...

[@nitro13333]

I love the fact that, despite being a central figure in the creation of this song and probably has heard this song tens of thousands of times, he legitimately appears to be enjoying listening to it.

[@popsquat4940]

Used to listen to Kim’s afternoon show , spinning for Q107 out of Toronto at my shop in Denver , Co . Can’t stream outside the US anymore . Loved his show . Still love his music .

[@angusdrummond6719]

'Let go the line' is an unbelievably gorgeous track.

[@Canerican.]

This song will always make me think of Toronto when I hear it-great memories in that great town!

[@miltonhowe2556]

This is a brilliant song. Credit to Terry Watkinson. And Kim Mitchell is a class act. Not every front man would exhibit such deference, humility and respect to a peripheral member of the band who managed to sail the band in to the limelight with such a gem. Hats off to them both

[@trishjohn6050]

This made my day. Still gives me goosebumps 35 years after I first heard it.

[@PyramidOfBubbles777]

In 2001, Kim Mitchell appeared, with many other great acts, at the Minnedosa Rock Fest. I was fortunate to have a VIP pass that weekend, which allowed me to enjoy three free meals a day in the VIP section. During lunch, I was enjoying dinner with some fellow rock fans, when someone behind me asked (with an empty seat beside me) "Is this seat taken?" I said it was free, without even turning around to see who may have said that. So, sitting down right next to me, was Kim Mitchell! Super friendly guy, and very down to earth. Made my whole weekend!

[@ollieox9181]

That's a cool story.

[@franciscob.deoliveira8904]

Growing-up in Winnipeg's North End every third or fourth basement had these young musicians wanna be jamming creating music. Then someone would come over and here's Max Webster's 'High Class in Borrowed Shoes' and here we were blasted with a style and energy that made us Portuguese kids eager to get big and be big fast. Great to have been growing up in an era of great Canadian Rock. Max Webster will for ever be a band that brought us all together. A toast!

[@martinhd28v1]

This was the first Max Webster song I remember hearing and it instantly grabbed me. It got a lot of air play back in the day. I was young at the time they were starting out and more into pop than hard rock so I wasn’t really familiar with all their earlier music but got into later on because of this song. This song strikes me as more prog rock than their earlier stuff which is more classic. Still sounds good today.

[@davidberry8312]

Such a great song and story told. Kim is genuinely a great fellow. My first year teaching was at his old high school. A student in my class, a big fan of his, wrote him a letter as part of a class assignment. A few weeks later I got paged to the office for a phone call. It was Kim calling from Toronto asking about the letter he received from the kid in my class and what he should do to respond. We chatted for about 5 minutes about his time growing up in Sarnia and attending the school. He sent a nice letter back and his autograph. A class act . The drummer of Max Webster was a substitute teacher and he subbed for my music class a few times when I was in high school. Also a great fellow. Proud these boys are from my hometown.

[@stevestruthers6180]

I'm from Sarnia as well. If memory serves, Kim grew up in the Coronation Park subdivision, and attended St. Clair Secondary School. My family didn't arrive in the neighbourhood until a few years after Kim left for Toronto, but I went to the same high school for Grade 9 and 10 until my family moved to the north end of town and I had to change schools. One of my uncles still lives in Coronation Park. So I feel a sense of pride over these hometown boys, too.

[@pete5534]

I remember being a little kid, and mentally dropping everything when this came over the airwaves. Yup, I had an awful lot going on as a youngster… I still find it kinda spellbinding. This song has so many cool elements and evokes all that was right with ‘70’s radio.

[@chrisbishop874]

1979 Minden Arena, Kim and Terry were obviously fighting so when "let go the line" was played, Kim was playing something else and making faces. I was appalled cause i really wanted to hear the song and never forgotten this. Seeing this now brought a tear to my eye. 42 years have passed . Mr Mitchell has become a true rocking gentleman.

[@roblund6919]

I instantly fell in love with the song when I first heard it in the early 80s probably the best Canadian song ever written

[@tnargskoorb1]

I totally agree.

[@lduranceau8046]

@@tnargskoorb1 Me too.

[@stuartelder2791]

One of my favourite songs of all time.

[@Bruce-pm8rr]

Met Mr. Mitchell in my cab one evening. Kind and gracious man as well as a great musician. Saw Max Webster open for Kiss I believe when in high school 😊

[@acerjuglans383]

This is a mood song. Something you only listen to late at night.

[@OTOss8]

Terry Watkinson is cool. He's an artist now. I believe that for a long while there after Max Webster he worked as an illustrator for medical textbooks. Super talented guy and what an ear for unusual hooks. This song is something very special.

[@edwardbliss8931]

One of my favourite guitarists. Doesn't get the recognition that legendary guitarists get, but he's just as good, if not better

[@61guitbox]

i love how he praises Terry Watkinson

[@dyrphotography]

Just a Masterpiece! The tone of that guitar, the bass, keys and the drums. Awesome!, all the way around!

[@iamfroglegs]

This is when I started my MAX Webster love of the music

[@PeterthePiper777]

First band I saw in high school Niagara district secondary 79 and my fav Max machine tune

[@humblehombre9904]

Max Webster is the band of my High School years, and every great summer I ever knew. Cruising my pink and purple, 76 Chev Impala, dual sunroofs with a bar and double bed…..we knew how to rock, and really enjoy life. And we DID. “The cats in the bag, the neighbours holler….this party’s higher than the Eiffel Tower!”

[@carlin3152]

After loving this song 40 years ago and taping it off the radio to one of my favorite mixtapes, why am I only finding out today that Kim Mitchell was in Max Webster!

[@timyself66]

Thank you for recording and posting this. I have been a fan of Max Webster since hearing this song in 1979/1980. And it is literally my all-time favorite song, bar none. So listening to Kim give some commentary on the song, on Terry, is very cool ... and all of MW's stuff is on my favorite's playlist. They are the one band who I have not seen in concert who remain on my "i wish/hope" list. It'll probably never happen, but I am hopeful. Thanks to Kim for sitting down and making this also ... with such a large catalogue of great music, both with Max and solo, I appreciate the fact that this song was included.

[@MarkDeChambeau-lo1rt]

One of my absolute favorites, this song helps me every time I need a little smooth, spiritual pick-me-up. This band was a really big part of my teen years and is, still, a great source of nostalgia for me. Chalkers.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Awesome album Very punchy and excellent songs and lyrics ! Terry’s songs are brilliant

[@randrobichaud7486]

Thank you. What greatness in the sound. All i can say is i need more !

[@garo52]

Kim Mitchell is one of a kind ..great musician, funny guy !!!😀...Max Webster 👍💯🎯

[@matts9064]

Best Max Webster song!

[@jamesbell8861]

Great format ... I loved this.

[@indianathiessen]

Please do more Max Webster behind the vinyl!

[@crlaw75]

Great song, played a lot on CHOK in Sarnia, Ontario. The band members were from there to.

[@patriciap5918]

Awesome song. Love KM ❤️

[@ElectoneGuy]

Brilliant track

[@manuellopes7144]

another powerful creator thanks KIM LOVE AN LIGHT

[@mikeysuzefour]

One of the best tunes that uses a whole symphony as the background musicians! Thank you Boom! ;)

[@falcon3337]

Woke up one morning with that song in my head weird haven’t heard it for 30 years now I’m here i’m going to learn it on my guitar. Thanks Max Webster.⚡️

[@JeffOutEast]

What a fun commentary. I really dig this tune, it’s great to hear Kim talk about it in such humble and easy going manner. Thanks!

[@robjohnson5872]

I heard this song, asked my friend who played it, and bought the LP. Max Webster/Kim Mitchell fan thereafter.

[@MrRigmunkee1]

Saw him at the Western Fair in London, Ontario many years ago and loved every minute of it. Hell of a show!!!

[@TheJimGreenhamShow]

I love Kim Mitchell

[@rts100x5]

love the stories Kim !! LOL .... one of "those" soundtrack of our lives tunes ...dont underestimate ... the guitar is absolutely genius

[@joepisano5892]

Max Webster absolutely underated,, greatly talented musicians .

[@stevemmmm1341]

great performer awesome music always .... we relate to every note and lyric .... great stuff and Canadian too :)

[@Dan-nt2yb]

Classic.❤️

[@lduranceau8046]

Kim Mitchell plays a superb lead guitar in this song, and he is kind enough to give high credit to Terry Watkinson. This song is a brilliant masterpiece, rated (I believe) as high as some of the best songs ever written.

[@stevestruthers6180]

One thing I always thought was remarkable about the song was how the lead guitar solos seemed to capture the sound of big band music from the 40s and do it with a jazzy feel to it. I am surprised to learn that the Toronto Symphony Orchestra provided a string section. And the lyrics are just incredible, particularly the line, "Life has been likened to a poker deal, or a poor brief candle, or a karmic wheel". Never heard a lyric as profound as that. This song is not just a classic, but a vastly underrated masterpiece.

[@alukuhito]

This is one of those songs that I feel in awe of the songwriting process. I like this song, but I wouldn't say it's one of my go-to favourite songs or anything, but it's just inspiring how all the pieces come together. I can't think of another song that sounds like this. I just don't understand what was going through their minds to make this happen. Some songs you hear and think they're cool, but you can kind of see how they were put together. This one just makes me wonder.

[@renlessard]

This was my introduction to Max Webster so hearing the rest of their work was interesting because this song was sooo different than the rest of their catalog

[@proisle]

BEAUTIFUL SONG....and wonderful heart-felt comments by Kim Mitchel. Love these guys.

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

Just a Great song

[@glennhynes5263]

Beautiful song. So wonderful to see Kim Mitchell looking healthy.

[@mocat1]

Of the handful of Canadian musicians (& a few other celebrities) I have been lucky enough to meet, after a show. Kim has been the only Canadian (Stephen Fry being the other) where I have no idea what I said, if I was able to say anything, felt like I was dreaming, and walked away feeling like my knees were non existent and my legs were made of jelly. Whatever I did say to Kim, when he asked my name, to sign my cd, that was not my name on the cd. 😂

[@Bends95]

Always fascinating to watch these!

[@SilentKnight43]

Still have my original vinyl of Million Vacations. Great to hear Kim's retrospective on this track. Saw Max live at Sutton H.S. back in the day just after Live Magnetic Air dropped. Great memories.

[@penzman]

Hadn't heard that song in decades and I thought man this sounds like Kim Mitchell's guitar...he already had his sound back then, unmistakable. My parents had an 8 track tape with this on and other hits, Bad Side of the Moon, Layla and others. How I wish I could find the title of that 8 track, surely there was a vinyl version as well.

[@kyodoconsultingtraining967]

Great story told by Kim Mitchell. I love how he describes Terry Watkinson's approach to the song, TSO's involvement and how he (Kim) struggled with his guitar part (which sounds super easy but maybe it's because Kim has that ability to make everything he did seem effortless). Kim, besides being a great musician, is the perfect raconteur. Max Webster did a lot of great songs but I agree with him that this song was their pinnacle.

[@woopteedeewoopteedye]

This song means that I was a fan of Max Webster way before I originally thought. My favorite album is Universal Juveniles, all of it!

[@brainynbrawny9562]

THE LEGEND - KIM MITCHELL!

[@danabump8200]

One of my favourite songs.

[@MGKBOSTON]

Awesome!

[@vivaAnaloger]

great to hear Kim's anectodals on this tour de force // Terry's take on things is nothing short of magical ... was so lucky to see them back when

[@johnnydtractive]

Fantastic!

[@MrRugbyloosehead]

While most chose High Class in borrowed Shoes as their go to album,I always find myself going back to A Million Vacations as my Favorite album From Max Webster not to mention Their great live Album Live Magnetic Air,which i played out so many times, I bought it more than a few times , and now with the Box set recently!

[@PeterByker]

That tiny catch in Terry's voice singing, " a trace of smile on a frozen face..." is so poignant.

[@dtjs61]

The man Rocks !!!!

[@octobersun221]

Can't believe it was only 41 on the charts in Canada as a kid it seemed like a very big song ...which it is

[@lduranceau8046]

Should have been placed #1, as far as I'm concerned.

[@brunopaolucci6594]

One of the greatest canadian commercial hits of all time!

[@gurgisjones1120]

I had no idea this song was big for them. In Canada maybe. In America, Battlescar was the only song I ever heard on the radio. Awesome song though. I remember listening to it at night in my room with the lights down, savoring each second of the song.

[@PrankZabba]

It's still a dark haunting song to this day.

[@McRocket]

Kim Mitchell seems like a bright, nice, down-to-Earth guy. A brighter but otherwise average Canadian, in other words. ☮

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Exceptional Thank you.

[@TONYRENDE]

I could swear the beginning of this song was part of a video game for super nintendo or the arcade but I can't quite put my finger on it. Does anyone know?

[@trenthogan4212]

I really believe if Terry had stayed and perhaps wrote and sang another wonderful song like this they could have broke in the UK. Such an amazing song. Paradise Skies was equally amazing. The follow-up UJ was incredible, but never had hits like Let go the Line and Paradise Skies.

[@roninson7375]

There's a nice live version of Let Go the Line from 79 on the New Music

[@detailsdetails...9571]

I screw up that run 50% of the time. Very pleased to know that it gave Kim Mitchell trouble as well. Fabulous song!

[@johnedwardkeoniambrose1151]

Lol it's strange you say that Keith, when i drum to this for some reason i keep just a straight beat for the most part, and listen to the bass and guitar carry it (light and airy with a sense of mystic), maybe what it is for me is less time paying attention to kik beats and fill that area with light toms/hats instead (mind you that also changes depending on how i feel at the moment) but focus and get exactly what you say about the guitar work, ..also love this song by Kim and Terry ..I'm in Calgary by the way \m/

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Nice insights, Kim is the man. Was only hoping for a bit of story behind the lyrics also. What a monster band they were- I've got the box set and it gets a lot of play. I keep trying to get my fellow Phish fans into Max.

[@shelleykentner4900]

Just love Max start to finish......that’s it.

[@joeblog2672]

I don't know who but somebody really goofed seeing as these guys never made it big outside of Canada. They had years of good tunes, brilliant guitars from Kim Mitchell (easily on par with Alex Lifeson from Rush for example) and great writing like this song. I like them better than Rush overall. Great to see how much Kim Mitchell gives back to the rock public (radio, video etc).

[@derekbaker3279]

Interesting! I, too, preferred Max Webster to most of Rush's really early stuff (Although I really liked Rush's debut and some other hits, it was their "Farewell to Kings" album that kicked off my love affair with their music that continues to today). In fact, I saw Max Webster at least four times, and absolutely loved each show. Their mix of witty & wacky humour, combined with eclectic sets of great songs and impressive musicianship had me hooked!

[@joadhenry]

love K Mitch

[@BauthorFowler]

It's a shame you never got anyone from Procol Harum to do one of these segments on Conquistador. That song used to get played so much I looked it up on Wikipedia and found out it was made with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (just like this song was made with the TSO). I didn't even know until then Edmonton had a symphony orchestra. Also no one plays the song anymore for some reason and it's sad.

[@Novaheart1998]

Excellent song , childhood memories, I have the LP.

[@mikepreston-engel8869]

Let Go The Line...a potently powerful song from my mind's past...fuck...so many times I came too close to letting go the line. ..

[@Motleydru]

My fuck I love this song

[@HUTINAK]

love the candor. most airplay cuz it;s a standard

[@peterwojnar5781]

Kim may say he had trouble with that part, but he pulled it off flawlessly just like everything else he played.

[@truetech4158]

Max Webster is still and will always be quality tunes. So many songs you wish you wrote yourself dammit, though glad somebody did. Here amongst the cats. ~solo inserted here~

[@johnandrews3568]

I always assumed Kim was a challenge to work with based on the high staff turnover in his bands, but great to see him repeatedly give props to Terry for his amazing songwriting and playing.

[@aggcavan943]

I saw Kim Mitchell at the Oshawa civic auditorium in like 83/84? Anyhow, Nash the slash opened and it didn’t go well......unless you like golf!!! To quote Kim at the time “only in Oshawa!”

[@picmenose]

I wish he had told us the song's meaning, what the lyrics were about...Love Kim!!

[@robertmayer2071]

thats what i love about kim how many guys would tell ya yea i had trouble on that one guitar break not many

[@brentlewis4865]

Icon

[@MacTeee]

You need to do the entire "Million Vacations" album...Best Canadian band ever!!!

[@Excalibur2112]

Rush is, with Triumph not too far behind.

[@greggchambers9716]

I don't know why, but this song has always had a sinister vibe to me. It scared me a little when I was very young. I've always liked it, thought it was mysterious and broody, but...yeah, those changes, some of them are very dark.

[@ollieox9181]

This song is a masterpiece. I think MW should have utilized Terry Watkinson more often as a singer/songwriter. That's not a dig at Kim, just a way to fill out and smooth the edges of the band's unique sound.

[@jkeimel354]

CBC used the riff for the theme of the National way back in the day

[@scottrogers2599]

I think Terry should have been commenting on this particular song!

[@kvnjking]

While doing the unboxing of The Party with Q107s John Derringer live on Facebook I think Kim Mitchell had said that Terry Watkinson was living a simple lifestyle these days and didn't want to be involved in the hustle and bustle of the public lifestyle. Mike Tilka is present for this as well and tells a few interesting stories. facebook.com/pg/Q107Toronto/videos/?ref=page_internal

[@liveclassictunes]

They wanted Kim's perspective.

[@andrerenault]

I thought so as well, but I love that Kim is talking so much about Terry. Rightfully so.