Harry Hibbs

Meeting Harry Hibbs at the Horseshoe in Toronto, 1977

It was the summer of 1977 when I first met Harry Hibbs at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. The Horseshoe, a legendary venue known for its gritty charm and vibrant music scene, was the perfect backdrop for what would become a memorable encounter. Harry, a celebrated Newfoundland folk musician, was in town for a week-long engagement, and I happened to be there through a stroke of luck—or perhaps fate.

We struck up a conversation thanks to a mutual friend, Chick Roberts,. Harry was a man of warmth and charisma, carrying with him two cases: one for his beloved accordion and the other, a briefcase he jokingly referred to as his “music archive.” Over the next few days, our casual acquaintance blossomed into a genuine friendship.

Harry shared stories of his life back in Newfoundland. He opened his own Toronto club, Conception Bay. The name resonated with me deeply, as my grandfather hailed from the same area. This shared connection seemed to deepen our bond, and by midweek, Harry invited me to join him in his dressing room after the show.

It was there that he revealed the contents of his mysterious briefcase: two bottles of rum. Harry was a man who knew how to entertain, and that night was no exception. He started the evening with a bang, his laughter filling the room as he managed to sneak a few drinks and played a the favorite tunes on his accordion. But as the night wore on, the mood shifted.

During his performance of Me Mother, a song that spoke of love, loss, and longing, Harry’s emotions and the rum got the better of him. Tears streamed down his face as he sang, his voice trembling with raw vulnerability. It was a poignant moment, one that revealed the depth of his struggles—not just with the bottle, but with the weight of his own heart.

Despite his battles, Harry remained a kind and generous soul, a true entertainer who poured his heart into every note. That night at the Horseshoe Tavern left an indelible mark on me, a reminder of the power of music to connect us, to heal us, and to reveal the shared humanity that binds us all.