Kim Mitchell

Joseph Kim Mitchell was born on July 10, 1952, in Sarnia, Ontario. He began his music career locally in Sarnia during the 1970s, playing with various bands. Following early musical experiences in Canada, Mitchell traveled to the Greek islands before returning to Toronto. Upon his return, he co-founded the progressive hard rock band Max Webster with Pye Dubois. Max Webster extensively toured and created a series of hit songs, building a strong reputation for energetic live performances. Their albums, including “Max Webster” (1976), “High Class in Borrowed Shoes” (1977), and “Mutiny Up My Sleeve” (1978), each attained gold certification in Canada. The 1979 album “A Million Vacations” achieved platinum status, and the single “Paradise Skies” charted in the UK. Mitchell departed from Max Webster in 1982 to pursue a solo career.

Mitchell’s solo career began with session work and a series of albums, starting with his self-titled mini-album in 1982. This marked a shift towards a more pop-rock sound, retaining his dynamic stage presence. His 1984 album, “Akimbo Alogo,” featured the hit single “Go for Soda,” which reached number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and gained international recognition. In 1986, his album “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” became his most commercially successful Canadian album, achieving triple-platinum certification and featuring hits such as “Patio Lanterns,” “Alana Loves Me,” and “Easy to Tame.” His 1989 album, “Rockland,” also achieved double-platinum status in Canada. Mitchell’s career continued with albums like “Aural Fixations” (1992), which was certified gold, and “Itch” (1994). He provided a guitar solo on Tom Cochrane’s 1992 album “Mad Mad World” and on Barenaked Ladies’ 2006 album “Barenaked Ladies Are Me.” Mitchell was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021, and Max Webster was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023.

Beyond his musical recordings, Mitchell expanded into radio broadcasting, serving as an afternoon drivetime host for Toronto classic rock radio station Q107 from April 2004 to August 2015. He also made television appearances, including a cameo on “The Kids in the Hall” (1992) and an episode of “Puppets Who Kill” (2005). Mitchell has performed alongside artists such as Sammy Hagar, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Van Halen. His commitment to live performance continued even after recovering from a heart attack in January 2016. His eighth studio album, “Ain’t Life Amazing,” was released in 2007, and “The Big Fantasize” in 2020. Throughout his career, Mitchell has been recognized with multiple Juno Awards, including Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year (1983), Album of the Year for “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” (1987), and Male Vocalist of the Year (1990).