| “I’ve
always been fascinated by show business and the performing arts – even
as a teenager.” This was the opening statement by Donald Tarleton, who
has enjoyed success as Montreal’s - and indeed Canada’s – most successful
impresario. It explains Donald’s passion for all aspects of the rock ‘n’
roll music business, which over time came to include other types of music
and performing arts, including plays.
We had the pleasure of spending a couple
of hours at one of Donald’s favourite restaurants, Anubis, located in on
Mont Royal in The Plateau. “I like it so much that I named one of my record
companies after it.” |
Donald
announcing concert dates for The Rolling Stones in Ottawa
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It’s a few steps from the offices of Donald’s
corporate headquarters, Dekeland Investments and his various enterprises
which include; Evenements Donald K Donald Events, Aquarius Records, and
Tacca Musique. In addition, Donald is also a partner in Last Gang Records,
Indica Records, Arts and Craft International, and country label, Mensa
Records. Donald drew an organizational chart of his companies that filled
the back of an Anubis place mat.
Many of our readers in their younger years
have attended high school dances organized by Donald K Donald; and then
attended shows at The Forum promoted by Donald; still go to see the Rolling
Stones performances at the Bell Centre and organized by Donald. Still more
have become fans of Céline Dion, whose career has been directed
in a major way by Donald. Many of our readers are active volunteers and
do charitable work for The Lakeshore General, The Missing Children’s Network,
Cancer research and so on…Donald has lent his name and tremendous organizing
skill to all of these worthy charities. In a way, we have grown up and
matured with Donald K Donald.
| To gain
a perspective on his amazing career and accomplishments, let’s go back
to the beginning. “I was the teen editor for neighbourhood weeklies in
Rosemere, and a contributor to a couple of music magazines. I worked in
a youth club where we put on dances, and plays. I found that my organizational
skills were my strength, and started moving in that direction.” |
Youth
and the young at heart - Donald visiting Tacca recording artist Anik Jean
at her CD launch at Club Soda.
|
Donald continues, “It positioned me at
a very early age – with the advent of Rock ‘n’ Roll – to move into the
music business.” Donald began providing DJ services at dances, and then
also included bands performing – with him acting as the Master of Ceremonies.
“I found that a lot of bands weren’t very well organized, so I realized
that there was a niche for me to act as their agent – to look after their
business affairs. This would also give me a reliable supply of bands to
perform at the dances I was organizing in schools and church halls.”
And then this little business grew. “All
of a sudden, bands started using big sound systems, lighting and staging.
It was beyond what high school students on dance committees could take
care of. I became a promoter, using larger venues that could accommodate
these larger productions.”
“I won the contract to provide the entertainment
for the outdoor shows at Expo ’67. This gave me an introduction to all
the acts across Canada. Eventually, I took those same acts all across Canada.”
Keith Brown has been with Donald since
the beginning (with the exception of a 5 year hiatus in the late 90s) and
is now President of Aquarius Records. He has an interesting observation
on Donald’s success. “In addition to his charismatic personality… Donald
isn’t hampered by any kind of negativity. He has an unsinkable optimism.
Brown continues; “In the early days, he could dish it out with all the
New York agents. He’s a flamboyant character, perhaps more so that most
of the acts he represents – even today”.
Donald’s wife Ann worked briefly for the
fledgling company in the early days. “When I was engaged to Donald, he
asked me to come in and help him out. There was just the three of us; Donald,
Robert Ramaglia, and me as the secretary. After two weeks, I said I’d never
do this again. I couldn’t believe the hectic pace they kept. Fortunately,
the original secretary returned and I was able to go back to a normal working
environment.”
Brown continues his description of his
friend and employer. “Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, and the Rolling Stones
work with promoters all over the world – but Donald K Donald is the one
they remember! We started our record labels with a secret weapon that other
traditional companies didn’t have – we had a ‘Donald’ in our pocket”.
Donald’s wife Ann commenting on the subject
of entertaining the stars; “We certainly met some very interesting people.
We’d go out for dinner with The Bee Gees, Elton John, and many of the artists
he did concerts with. I know they appreciated this extra effort on Donald’s
part to make them feel welcome and to show them more of Montreal than the
inside of their hotel’s restaurant.
In the late sixties and early seventies,
the rock ‘n’ roll industry was just beginning. Donald K Donald Productions
promoted shows in Montreal, expanded to the Atlantic Provinces, and then
exploded across Canada. “For 35 years, my niche was producing shows across
Canada.” All the while, Donald was building his business relationships
and depth of knowledge.
“My promotion business culminated with
my relationship to Céline Dion, where I was involved with her career
from the time she started taking English lessons, enabling her to record
and perform to a larger audience.” Beginning in the early 90’s, Donald
worked as Céline Dion’s tour producer and promoter from the she
recorded her first English album. It didn’t get off to an easy start. At
her first concert in Calgary the attendance was just 117 people. However,
the rest - as they say - is history.
The close relationship between Céline,
her manager husband Rene Angelil, and Donald would reap a different kind
of dividend in 1996. In July 1996, The Saguenay region was ravaged by flooding,
causing billions of dollars in damage and the virtual destruction of the
local economy.
Donald went to work organizing a concert
at the then Molson Centre, with Céline Dion as the headliner of
a show of acts that read like a Who’s Who of Canadian talent. Aired on
August 25th, the show was complemented with a nationally broadcast telethon
– and the combined efforts raised over $4.3 million for the Canadian Red
Cross and their relief efforts in the region. At the time, this was the
largest single donation in the history of The Red Cross. “I was really
proud to be a part of that event – when all of Canada came to the aid of
the people of The Saguenay. It’s the highlight of my public service. I
had a phenomenal sense of accomplishment.” Donald adds with a chuckle –
“I also thought it was a pretty good TV show.”
Donald’s benevolent contributions didn’t
go un-noticed. His contributions in time and expertise to various charitable
and civic organizations such as The Lakeshore General, The Missing Children’s
Network, and his massive efforts for the Saguenay flood victims have resulted
in Donald Tarleton being presented with the Order of Canada. “Unfortunately,
because I have such a high profile, I’m the number one candidate for a
whole variety of fundraising efforts. All the causes are valid – but I
have to be selective and careful with my time.” Donald continues; “The
greatest thing I’ve learned about saying ‘No’ is that it enables me to
say ‘Yes’ effectively to those causes that I can help.”
When it comes to his home life, Donald’s
answer is always ‘yes’. His wife Ann says, “When he comes home, he calms
down from his hectic work pace. When it comes to a family vacation or a
reunion, he’s always there.” Continuing on the family theme; “Donald’s
father initially preferred that he get a normal 9 to 5 job like his older
brother. But he still supported him when Donald decided to go into business
for himself. His dad was very proud of him.”
Donald sold his concert promotion business
in the 90’s. “The business was centralizing in New York and L.A. – and
at that point in our lives, my wife Ann and I decided that we didn’t want
to relocate”.
With non-compete clause in the concert
production business, Donald would retire. That lasted for an entire weekend.
His wife Ann notes; “We went golfing on Saturday, drove up to the mountains
on Sunday, and left for the office at 7am on Monday….”. Keith Brown observed;
“Donald said to himself – ‘wait a second; I have a non-compete in the concert
business, but I still own a record company’; and he immersed himself into
making that business grow and flourish.”
On the recording side of the business,
Donald is his usual enthusiastic self; “I’m a passionate Canadian, and
passionate about the Canadian music industry. I’ve decided to focus on
records. I want to leave a print – and helping artists with my 40 years
of experience is a way to do that. I get as excited as the artist when
their career develops.”
In addition to Aquarius Records for English
artists and TACCA for francophone performers, Donald has two independent
record labels, Indica and Last Gang Records. Then there are joint venture
agreements with other labels where Donald’s companies provide infrastructure
support (everything from distribution to accounting) and the all-important
funds for investment.
Aquarius boss Keith Brown observes; “In
the record business, people tend to think too much. Donald acts, trusting
in his own instinct and his years of experience. The result is that we’ll
be in the marketplace with an artist while a major label will still be
in meetings.” He continues; “Donald has an interesting melange of people
running the different labels and business units – each person bringing
a personality to complement their talent.” Commenting on Donald’s mission
to promote new talent, Brown confirms; “our labels are band-centric. We’ll
stick with an artist as long as they believe in themselves and continue
to work. Sometimes it looks almost impossible…but then all of a sudden
it clicks! The so-called major labels just don’t work that way.”
While he’s a very high energy individual,
Donald enjoys some leisure time. “I’m a golfer. I try to play on Friday
afternoons, and on Saturday and Sunday. I have a home in Florida, and we
try to get away for long weekends 5 or 6 times a year, plus an extended
Christmas vacation.”
I asked if he had any regrets. “If I have
a slight regret, it’s that I didn’t investigate the film and television
business. However, I was so involved in the music business that I really
didn’t have time to think about those other businesses. I guess I was having
too much fun with rock ‘n’ roll!”
Moving forward, Donald says; “I’m going
to try exceptionally hard to pull back. I can be a mentor, an overseer
providing direction and vision. I need to learn how to get out of the way
and let our talented people do their thing.”
In addition to his own career, Donald has
brought a lot of people along with him and they have enjoyed their own
success as performing artists or executives in one of the many enterprises
under the DKD umbrella. Impresario, recording mogul, philanthropist,
and humanitarian – a long way from the kid organizing dances in Rosemere
to being an internationally recognized and respected force in the entertainment
industry.
As his wife Ann noted at the end of our
conversation; “Life has been good to him, and he likes to return some of
that good fortune – to give back.” Bravo!
Author’s Note:
After graduating from university, my first job was booking bands for Donald
K Donald. I was involved in a serious car accident, and Donald called my
mother almost daily to see how I was progressing. He made arrangements
so that I could continue to work from home while I convalesced. I then
went on to a 6 or 7 year stint as a rock ‘n’ roll performer. My band, Sam
Slick was represented throughout that time by Donald K Donald. We hadn’t
seen each other in decades, but I found that we are still friends after
all those years.
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