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By NAOMI ZWOLINSKI
Staff Writer

What can I say that hasn't already been said about the ever-artistic singer/entertainer, Walter Zwol? The first Canadian ever to have been signed directly to a major US label without a Canadian deal through EMI, hit the Billboard Top 100 Charts in the late '70's, toured through Europe and the US in his hay day and is STILL out there belting the tunes out like nobody's business!!

Back in the late '60's and early '70's, you may have heard of a band called Brutus. Walter Zwol was the lead singer of the band and what an incredible front man he was (and still is!!). Brutus was a balanced mixture of straight-ahead rock and melodic pop. The band had one album that did quite well in Canada. Brutus was even fortunate enough to open for Peter Gabriel at Maple Leaf Gardens in '77 before the demise of the band. They may not have headlined, but they sure got the crowd going.

After Brutus broke up, Walter went solo and recorded an album later that summer of '77. He would go on to get a deal in United States as the first Canadian ever to have achieved this feat. He worked with song giants Ralph Murphy (April Wine) and Roger Cook (wrote songs for Crystal Gale and the ever popular - "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing").

From there he went on to form The Rage and they toured across Canada with Split Enz (later became Crowded House).

This guy is one kick ass singer!!! He generally sings the latest and greatest hits but also does a mix of oldies but goodies, and if you're lucky, he'll throw in an original or two to give the die hards something to come back for. He is a consummate performer and will go the extra mile to put smiles on the faces of those that enjoy him most. While introducing his band mates in between songs, you'll hear things like "chicks with dicks" or "dolls with balls" or even "sluts with nuts" from the ever-eloquent Mr. Zwol. Although he doesn't do it intentionally, he also puts tears in his audience's eyes with his rendition of such classics as "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" or "Desperado".

He manages to take every song and not just sing it like it's his own but sing like it's his last damn breath on earth. The sheer essence of Zwol is astonishing. He has such conviction, it's almost scary!! He can also get the crowd going absolutely ballistic with his version of "Whole Lotta Love". Why is a guy like this doing singing in bars around the GTA? It's what I'd like to know. You truly have to see him to believe what I am saying.

What's the recipe for a successful singer? You take years of hard work mixed with undeniable talent, add in some imaginative and innovative lyrics, fearless creativity and a dash of street smarts, and that my friend is one hell of an entertainer and what I call, Walter Zwol!!!

Walter Zwol is no stranger to hardships either. He's seen his share of the other side of the doors that are being shut and the proverbial slaps in the face, but as with all determined young musicians, he picked up the pieces and kept forging ahead. He had his shot at the "brass ring", but as with everything else in the music industry, it was a risk that didn't quite cut it in the end.

He's had a life filled with adventures of riches and woes, but in the end, he's still out there and kicking some serious ass!!! Get out there if you can, Naked Brunch is the band and a name you won't soon forget once you've experienced Walter Zwol. You can also get a copy of the Brutus CD if you go to the HMV store on Yonge Street downtown Toronto and ask to have one ordered.