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Big Hank Lionhart, also known as Uncle Wiggly, will be celebrating his 79th birthday at Hermann’s. This annual event has become a must-attend party. This marks Hank’s 61st year in the music business—a career that began in Edmonton during high school and continued in Seattle while attending art school.

He played in several notable bands in Edmonton before moving to Victoria in 1978, where he formed Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band. The band was signed to RCA Records and opened shows for legends such as Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, and George Thorogood.

In 1985, Hank moved to Vancouver, where he met Steve Cross. Together, they founded The Toasters, becoming a mainstay in Vancouver’s vibrant Blues & R&B scene during the 1980s. The Toasters opened for the Neville Brothers, Koko Taylor, and John Mayall. Later, Jack Lavin joined the band, and they became The Kingpins, recording two albums featuring original songs penned by Jack.

This year, the band features Steve Cross (guitar & vocals), Mick Woodhouse (bass & vocals), Steve Ranta (keys & vocals), James McRae (drums), Jerry Cook (sax), and special guests Terry Medd (guitar) and Dennis Meneely (keys).