‘The Hawk’ took flight at Hamilton’s Golden Rail Tavern in 1958

The gig that started it all in Canada for Arkansas rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins took place at the Golden Rail Tavern near the corner of Hamilton's King and John Streets in 1958.

The two-week stint got off to a slow start but the audience grew and - over the years that followed - Hawkins became a hit across Canada.

The Hawk' was one of the most influential performers in the 1960s rock scene in Toronto. He sang across North America and recorded more than two dozen albums. He was also known for surrounding himself with talented musicians who would go on to great things.

They included Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson, who became known as The Band. Grammy-winning record producer David Foster played in his Hawkins' band at one time as a pianist. Hawkins had a hand in launching Hamilton's Crowbar. He even was credited with coming up with the King Biscuit Boy" nickname for Hamilton harmonica wiz, Richard Newell.

In 2013, Hawkins told former Spectator music writer Graham Rockingham that he still vividly remembered his first night at Hamilton's Golden Rail.

They had about seven people in there on the first Monday night, and after I got halfway through the first song, they ran out, Hawkins laughed. I was starting to feel a little bit paranoid. I know that club owner wanted to get us out of there.

But, oh boy, Dallas Harms from Hamilton, he saved us. Dallas was the only Canadian we knew and he had told us, When you come in, give us a call.'

So we did. He said he was going to come in on the weekend and bring a bunch of people. But when that happened on the Monday, I called him Monday night and said, If you can, come in tomorrow night because we might not be here for Saturday if you don't."