APRIL WINE

April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. Originally based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band enjoyed international success in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing more than 20 albums since 1971.

April Wine’s extensive discography includes numerous gold and platinum selling albums featuring mega-hits like ‘Roller’, ‘I Like to Rock’, ‘You Could Have Been a Lady’ and others. Best known for their international top 40 hit ‘Just Between You And Me’, an iconic power ballad that made them the very first Canadian band on MTV, April Wine went on to release over twenty albums and have received a combined total of 11 Juno Award nominations in the Group Of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Selling Single categories. 

In 2009, April Wine was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for being part of Canadian Music History for 40 years, and in 2010 the band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. 

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It all began in 1974 when St. Holmes’ band Scott opened a gig for Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes. Nugent was making a name for himself around the Midwestern portion of the United States, but thus far had been unable to take his music to the next level.  After seeing, and hearing, the young St. Holmes on stage, he knew what was missing and invited Derek to join his band. Derek brought a strong set of pipes, solid musicianship and songwriting skills to Nugent’s music, and in March of 1975 the world was introduced to him via Nugent’s self-titled debut album.  While it was Nugent slinging down the guitar licks, it was Derek’s voice all over FM radio singing the soon to be classics “Stranglehold,” “Stormtroopin” and “Just What the Doctor Ordered.” In addition, Derek wrote, arranged and sang the classic tune “Hey Baby.” Derek quickly became regarded as one of the best voices on the international rock scene, all at the tender age of 22 years old.  Nugent and St. Holmes continued their winning combination for three more iconic albums, Free for All in 1976, Cat Scratch Fever in 1977 and Double Live Gonzo in 1978.. Derek also continued his on again/off again relationship with Nugent in both the 1980s, and ‘90s, co-writing several songs on Ted’s comeback album Spirit of Wild in 1996.

After years of Nugent fans begging Ted for Derek’s return, St. Holmes was invited by the Motor City Madman in 2011 to once again take his place on the Nugent stage. Derek appeared on Nugent’s 2014 album ShutUp&Jam, singing. Derek continues to be Nugent’s lead singer on many tours.