For Bobby Curtola, coming home to Thunder Bay always brings back a flood of memories.
Although impressed with the work on the city’s waterfront, it’s Boulevard Lake and other childhood romping grounds that hold the most sentiment for the rock and roll singer.
Born in 1943 in Port Arthur, Curtola became a teen idol in the 1960s with his ’62 chart-topper Fortune Teller. And while he divides his time mostly between the Maritimes, Las Vegas and Edmonton, Curtola always finds time to come home.
With the help of the Sensational Hot Rods backing him, he kicked off the OLG Casino’s Canada Day festivities with an outdoor concert on Park Avenue.
"It feels great to be back," he said. "It’s a kick. It’s always a kick."
In town for a couple of days, Curtola plans to visit family and long-time friends.
"I remember them all growing up," he said. "The camaraderie we shared has lasted me a lifetime. It’s really special when you think of how it was. Nobody locked their doors those days and everybody took care of everybody."
Thunder Bay was a special place to grow up, he added.
The audience Thursday was made of young and old, both getting up to dance to Curtola’s classic tunes.
While he said it’s difficult to give up-and-coming musicians advice, he said he’s living proof that if you reach for the stars, you’re likely to catch one.
"I was a young fellow in Thunder Bay just dreaming about making records," he said.
He teamed up with brothers Dyer and Basil Hurdon and together the trio wrote a collection of songs and recorded them at a local radio station.
"It was like a miracle it all worked out and it was my dream and it actually happened," Curtola said. "I thank Thunder Bay for giving me that boost and that start."
During the concert, Curtola presented an award to the Thunder Bay OLG Casino for their contributions to the community.
