<span class="headline"> </span></p> <p align="left" class="footertextitalic">Photo by Gord Thain Marysia Gonzalez is a mother of two who is living her fantasy of being in a a rock band. She belts out tunes as the vocalist for the Retrogrates.</p> <p align="left" class="footertextitalic">www.tobserver.com/CCC/CYCLE%201/7-01-10-ThainRock.html</p> <p class="storyhead1">Middle-aged rockers live out their dreams</p> <p class="byline">By Gord Thain </p> <span class="dropcap">T</span>hey come from the towers of Bay Street. and the suburban homes of Oakville. They take off their silk ties and aprons for a chance to rock out.</p> Separate, they are an odd assortment of middle-aged people who thought their rock and roll days had passed them by. Together they are the Retrogrates, a classic rock powerhouse who performed on Sept. 26 at the League of Rock’s CD listening party at the Gibson artist showroom on King Street West.</p> The League of Rock is the passion of multimedia expert Terry Moshenberg. The 44 year old founded LOR when he noticed a void in the Toronto music scene for adult non-pros</p> “This is the first time ever there’s been a league for rockers,” Moshenberg said. “Finally people have a place to find like-minded adults who like to rock out like mad.”</p> After committing to being available every Wednesday and paying the $1,400 sign-up fee, Moshenberg divides the members based upon musical interest and talent level.</p> “The participants get 10 weeks in a real band with a large community of rockers to play with. We supply all the gear, rehearsal space, PA systems, microphones, pizza and beer,” Moshenberg said. “They get to workshop with famous rockers, such as Dan Clancy of Lighthouse and Jim McCarty of the legendary British group the Yardbirds.</p> <p class="sidetextbold">Won't be mistaken for the latest young indie band</p> Then they play in famous venues such as Healey’s, record in world class recording studios and have a chance to perform at the CD listening party in front of live audience.”</p> With an average age of 43, the Retrogrates will not be mistaken for the latest young indie band making their way up the charts. They are however, committed to bringing the house down when they perform.</p> “I work my day job in a bank but somewhere deep inside this was calling me. I’ve always been a musician” Jeet Das said. Das moved to Canada in 1996 from India where he was born and raised.</p> After banging away on the drums during the bands performance of Hearts “Crazy on You” Das said he felt buzzed. “I feel it man! For me to get a chance to come out and do this is absolutely mind-blowing.”</p> Marysia Gonzalez is a 40 year-old mother of two and the band’s vocalist. She understands Das’s feelings.</p> “I got home at 11 p.m. and couldn’t sleep,” Gonzalez said. “I’m in withdrawal and craving more. I told my husband all I want for Christmas is another session in the LOR.”</p> Gonzalez can recall being a 15-year-old girl watching Van Halen on stage at Maple Leaf Gardens and knowing “I want to be there. This is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” Gonzalez said.</p> Gonzalez won the LOR award for most spirited rock vocalist and sees the Retrogrates as an escape from making lunches and doing laundry.</p> “This was something to look forward to every week. Whether your like me, a mom at home or Bay Street big shot, LOR is an outlet and a chance to live out your fantasy.”</p> Larry Ross is an investment broker at BMO Nesbitt Burns and shares the band’s guitar duties Steve Prentice a TV producer. They both received awards at the CD listening party, Ross for most spirited rock guitar and Prentice for most improved rock guitar.</p> Ross starts his day at 6 a.m. He’s in the office by 8:30 a.m. and doesn’t leave until after 5 p.m. His days are spent checking the markets and dealing with clients money issues. He has two young boys and a wife waiting for him at home so time to pursue his interests is limited.</p> “I don’t get many opportunities to perform with other musicians” Ross said. “I’d tinker around by myself when I got a chance but never really got accomplished much.”</p> Ross appreciated the structure and guidance that came from the LOR. “You need to be forced into a time constraint; you need to have a tangible goal.” Ross said.</p> <p class="sidetextbold">'It feels like the last day of highschool'</p> “There’s a sense of urgency because of the time (ten weeks) and there’s a sense of seriousness because of the money. When you show up in the studio you better be ready because you have to face your fellow musicians and everyone knows if you’re not.”</p> As a TV producer Prentice doesn’t spend two days doing the same thing. The job takes him all over the city and has him constantly meeting people but it’s the people he met in the LOR that had him feeling sad to see his 10 week session end.</p> “I’m so happy with my group. I felt we did a really good job and I don’t want to leave it behind” Prentice said.</p> “It feels like the last day of high school where you have to say good-bye to these people who I’ve grown close too, because you know everyone is going their separate ways. Everyone has their day job and life to go back to.”</p> Pauline Blackwood, 47, is the bassist. She’s been playing for nine years but never had an opportunity like the one LOR provided.</p> “I’ve always wanted to record in a real recording studio with a real engineer,” Blackwood said. “When you hear yourself in the recording studio it’s totally different than hearing yourself play live. I felt so naked in the studio where you can’t hide from the sounds you’re creating.”</p> Blackwood said she’s improved her ability on bass and met some great new friends. She’s more confident because of the experience and relished the chance to get a glimpse of the rock and roll lifestyle.</p> “I got the feeling of being a rock star for ten weeks, minus the groupies and paparazzi,” Blackwood said. “It was just a great experience and I’d recommend it to anyone.”</p> <a href="http://www.tobserver.com/CCC/CYCLE%201/7-01-10-ThainRock.html" target="_blank"> </a></p>
