“Music can affect us in powerful ways, subliminal and otherwise. I love putting an Al Caiola or Bert Kampfert album on while cooking, Enio Morricone is good to relax with. Nothing beats T-Bone Walker on a Saturday Night or RL Burnside. There are times when I turn the music up, stand in front of the big Tannoys and feel a tingle from head to toe. That's music healing!”

Danny Marks: I’m Ready …Lived-in Soul

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial force—a man whose time comes, again and again. Now, with the release of his latest single "I'm Ready," Marks steps forward with a classic soul ballad—one that simmers with slow-burning intensity and speaks to the restless waiting, the longing, and ultimately, the readiness to seize the moment. The opening line of “I'm Ready” says it all. Marks delivers this song with the wisdom of a road-worn storyteller, channeling a lifetime of experiences into a track that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The song’s lyrics capture the passage of time, the frustration of waiting, and the unwavering belief that no matter how long it takes, your moment will come—as long as you’re ready to take it. The slow groove and soulful delivery recall the greats—Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Bobby "Blue" Bland—while Marks’ signature guitar work glows like embers in a midnight fire, warm, rich, and full of lived-in soul.                   (Danny Marks, Canadian blues, soul and roots artist / Photo by Don Dixon)

Danny Marks is no stranger to reinvention. Signed to Capitol Records at just 18 with Edward Bear, he quickly made his mark before stepping into a career that saw him work with legends like Bo Diddley, Rita Coolidge, and The Drifters. He built his reputation on the Toronto club scene, became a familiar voice on CBC Radio, and spent the past 25 years hosting BLUZ FM on JAZZ FM91—educating, entertaining, and keeping the blues flame alive. Marks has seen the music industry change, but the soul of the blues remains the same. In “I'm Ready,” he adds another timeless entry to his catalog—one that nods to the past but walks boldly into the future. With “I'm Ready,” Danny Marks extends an invitation. It’s not just about his own journey—it’s about all of us. Whether you’ve been waiting on a dream, a breakthrough, or just a sign that it’s time to move forward, Marks offers a musical hand to hold.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Archive: Danny Marks, 2012 interview

Special Thanks: Eric Alper & Danny Marks

How has the Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world? What music moment changed your life the most? 

When music was regional we celebrated the styles and origins. My home city Toronto had its own sound which was a gritty mix suited to the Big Smoke. The music moments that changed my life as a kid, seeing Louis Armstrong on the Ed Sullivan Show, my older brother showing me how to play Jimmy Reed, Elvis and the Beatles of course. It's hard to pick one moment, naturally there are many. One time, I saw Lonnie Johnson on the street just playing an acoustic guitar. He had an aura that appeared to be a halo around his head. I'll never forget that. 

What has remained the same about your music-making process? Where does your creative drive come from?

I've always loved the guitar and all the kinds of music it can play. I can play alone at home for hours or put on an album and drift away to the sounds of music made in another place and time. I let that seep in and it influences the music I make. When it comes to creating, often words come first or an idea and then the music writes itself. There are other times that the music lends itself to lyrics. It's a mystical process, I don't want to tamper with it, just let it flow.

”As for older members of the new generation, we were young once. There's a stage where it's not cool to like what your parents like. But the good news is, you pass through that stage and you realize how awesome Mom and Dad were. That's the magic of music and love.” (Danny Marks / Photo by Don Dixon)

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Canada?

Blues today belongs to the world. Every corner has its own expression of the Blues tonality and also its own interpretation of the sounds which originated in the Delta. We live in a Global Village today. The geographic boundaries in music are breaking down even as the charts and our business tries to define what is and what isn't Blues. It's tricky! When things blend in a pleasing way, it's cool with me. I believe Nat King Cole told Ray Charles, "there's already one me". That's when Ray invented his own blend of Soul, Blues, Gospel and Jazz. After that, Ray developed his own brand of Country Music. It was all soulful and great.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future?

I miss the fact that we had physical product. LP's were a wonderful thing and as kids we saved up to buy 45's and wrote our names on the labels so our siblings wouldn't nip them! We felt ownership of the music in that little chunk of vinyl. I fear that A.I. will gradually take over the creative process and humans will be left out. It's already happening that many are more comfortable with artificial and we may soon forget what's real. That's frightening. 

What were the reasons that made your generation in the 60s to started the Psychedelic Blues/Folk/Rock researches and experiments?

Just before all the fuzz guitar and distortion came along, musicians and sound engineers were seeking to perfect the ultimate in clean, HiFi tones. It was a great time for studios with work all around. The Big Bands had died out but small combos were looking for ways to make big sounds. Distorted sounds were coming to be in electric blues with folks down in Memphis and after records like Don't Worry 'bout Me came out, then Satisfaction by the Stones, all Hell broke loose. The first stompbox fuzz tones wanted to sound like horns, the early Wah Wah was named after trumpet player Clyde McCoy. Yes, people getting high on acid and weed certainly escalated things. I was there for that and was sure glad to come down when it ended.

”When it comes to creating, often words come first or an idea and then the music writes itself. There are other times that the music lends itself to lyrics. It's a mystical process, I don't want to tamper with it, just let it flow.” (Photo: Danny Marks, delivers the wisdom of a road-worn storyteller / Photo by Don Dixon)

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music can affect us in powerful ways, subliminal and otherwise. I love putting an Al Caiola or Bert Kampfert album on while cooking, Enio Morricone is good to relax with. Nothing beats T-Bone Walker on a Saturday Night or RL Burnside. There are times when I turn the music up, stand in front of the big Tannoys and feel a tingle from head to toe. That's music healing! 

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The guitar remains a best friend all through life. Mom and Dad told me to have "something to fall back on". That's the guitar, a forever friend. Music brings people together. We need not let politics get involved although it works well there to stir folks up and even divide us. As long as we work things out in the end I'm okay with it. Music has power. I've learned to let the music do the talking and allow folks to draw their own conclusions. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

The kids who come to see us play, the little ones are thrilled to feel the energy. Toddlers dance almost before they can walk. As long as the parents encourage it, the kids will learn a love for music. If we're on a big stage, the little folks are gobsmacked to hear and feel the joy. I make sure to have eye contact. It's a moment I know they'll always remember. As for older members of the new generation, we were young once. There's a stage where it's not cool to like what your parents like. But the good news is, you pass through that stage and you realize how awesome Mom and Dad were. That's the magic of music and love.

Danny Marks - Home

(Danny Marks / Photo by Don Dixon)