:"Although his name is generally first associated as the writer of 'The Rodeo Song', an expletive-filled cowboy anthem made famous by
Showdown, Gaye Delorme's career also developed into one of the most versatile in Canada, making him one of the most sought after studio musicians, live guitarists and producer or writers." ::Dan Brisebois, Biography of Gaye Delorme :"Considered one of the greatest guitarists Edmonton has ever seen, if not all of Canada, Delorme was a master of flamenco guitar – among several other things – which he started learning at the age of 14 in reform school, where music apparently saved him from a life of crime." ::Mike Ross, 2011 Delorme was entirely self-taught, having picked up the guitar aged 15 during a stint in juvenile detention. By 1967, at the age of 19, Delorme had already developed a reputation as a professional musician in Edmonton. Around that time, he left for the music scene in Toronto. After a brief move to Vancouver, Delorme returned to Edmonton in the 1990s and was a mainstay at the Sidetrack Cafe where he developed a Latin fusion style that at one point featured Gaye leading a 10-piece band with a horn section. (Also in the 1990s, he first learned how to read music.) From roughly 2000 to 2009, Gaye lived in Vancouver and focused on his writing, recordings and concerts, often appearing solo. All of Delorme's recordings were released on his own label, Aqua Tarta Music. He also performed as a studio musician for a variety of recording artists. In 2009, Gaye moved back to Edmonton.
Collaborations Delorme played with many musicians and groups including
Jann Arden, the
Powder Blues Band,
Lenny Breau,
David Foster,
Airto Moreira,
Billy Cobham and
Stanley Clarke. In 2006 he was accompanied by the
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for his performance of
Joaquín Rodrigo's
Concierto de Aranjuez. 1986 saw Delorme record a one-hour special for
CBC Television entitled
Gaye Delorme in Concert. The song quickly became a cult favorite and was compiled by
Dr. Demento on Demento's Mementos and was used in the
Stephen King film
Sleepwalkers (1992). Delorme's own version of "The Rodeo Song" was released on the album
Rodeo Songs in 2002. Delorme was never invited to any of Cheech & Chong's reunion concerts; when they came to Vancouver, they never mentioned Delorme's participation in "Earache My Eye". One night after a gig, leaving New Westminster Skytrain station, he was attacked and beaten by a group of muggers, causing him to suffer a stroke; the thugs also stole his guitar, which has never been recovered. The Yale Hotel held several benefits to help pay Delorme's medical bills.
Awards Delorme was nominated for a
Grammy Award and received the Alberta Premier's Award For Excellence for his lifelong commitment to furthering Alberta musical talent.
Later life and death In 2000, Delorme was the inaugural artist to be honoured by the Pacific Coast Music Association in its
Celebrate series. Delorme was a
diabetic and had become legally blind from the disease, as of 2008. He died of a heart attack in Calgary during the early hours of June 24, 2011, while staying at the home of a friend. He was 64 years old and was due to perform at the Calgary Bluesfest Warmup on June 25, 2011, with his longtime
sideman, keyboardist
Peter Sweetzir. == Discography ==