When a group of Toronto friends who shared a love of the music that defined the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s got together for an impromptu jam in 2011, they couldn’t have imagined they’d still be doing it 15 years later.
“Tyler (Kyte) and I were playing in a band call Sweet Things that was kind of winding down,” recalled Lindsay native Nick Rose in a 2018 chat with Bill Bodkin of The Pop Break.
“We were living in the same apartment building with a few other musician friends of ours. We befriended the superintendent, who gave us access to his top-secret jam space in the basement. We’d go down there and watch hockey and muck around, playing Tom Petty songs and such.”
“Once we had learned enough songs for a set, we booked a couple shows just for the fun of it.”
A residency at Toronto’s famed Dakota Tavern really got the ball rolling, followed by a regular show at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Now here we are, with Rose et al returning to Del Crary Park with an extensive catalogue of more than 800 songs to choose from for its set.
On Wednesday (July 29), Dwayne Gretzky makes its sixth Peterborough Musicfest appearance, again breathing exhilarating new life into classic hit songs. Admission to the 8 p.m. concert as always is free, thanks to numerous sponsors including kawarthaNOW, which is co-presenting this show.
This will be Dwayne Gretzky’s fifth Musicfest gig since 2018. While that may prompt some to ask “Was there no else available?” there’s no denying the multi-member ensemble loves headlining Musicfest, and the festival loves having them. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
VIDEO: “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon – Dwayne Gretzky
But more notably, the reception granted the band by Peterborough audiences has been consistently off-the-charts; a response rooted in the truth that Dwayne Gretzky’s fun stage presence, infectious high energy, and superb musicianship have allowed it to surpass cover band status.
In a September 2019 interview with BeatRoute, Kyte said what became Dwayne Gretzky “grew naturally.”
“We didn’t plan to start a band with 10-plus band members, but one thing led to another and I think we’re stronger because of it,” explained Kyte, who is Rose’s childhood friend from Lindsay.
“The whole point of the band is just celebrating the best songs, or at least our favourite songs,” added Rose in the same interview, noting “We started covering songs we grew up listening to, sifting through albums that our parents had.”
As for the band’s unusual name, that was as spontaneous as the jam that started it all.
“When we began playing shows in Toronto, we didn’t have a band name,” recalled Rose.
“It didn’t really seem necessary somehow — we were just a bunch of friends playing covers for the fun of it. But then at one of our first shows, somebody inevitably yelled out ‘What’s your band called?’ and I replied ‘Dwayne Gretzky’ for a laugh. Honestly, it was the first thing that popped into my head.”
VIDEO: “Take On Me” by A-Ha – Dwayne Gretzky
“Then, a few days later somebody posted a video of us on YouTube and referred to us as Dwayne Gretzky and that was that,” Rose said. “Luckily, I think it kind of suits us. Thank God I didn’t shout out something stupid.”
Now, hundreds of shows later, including highly publicized and appreciated performances that were streamed on New Year’s Eve during the pandemic years, one truth remains: you can take in Dwayne Gretzky each night for a week, and no two of those shows will be the same.
Musically, it’s all there — from Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart” to Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” to Queen’s “Radio Ga-Ga” to New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” and pretty much everything in between.
Rose admitted the band has faced some questions about performing songs written and made famous by others, as opposed to performing original material.
“The archetypal cover band conjures up images of middle-aged men in fedoras and vests going through songs at a bar mitzvah, so it has an odour to it,” he said.
But those questions don’t bother him, because the joy he sees on the faces of audience members makes it all worthwhile.
“Besides, there are just so many good songs,” Rose added.
VIDEO: “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac – Dwayne Gretzky
Audiences obviously feel the same way, based on the growing cross-Canada fan base that has flocked to any one of hundreds of shows, including a 2025 gig before a crowd of 7,000 at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.
Also last year, Dwayne Gretzky launched a YouTube series, titled Dwayne’s World. It has since gone viral, capturing the attention of music fans globally.
“This band is based on nostalgia,” said Kyte, adding “When we play a song that someone has forgotten about, it maybe brings them back to that place before they grew up. It’s a powerful thing when it works.”
The quality of the music aside, there is another factor at play that is key to Dwayne Gretzky’s sustainability: each member of the band is given the opportunity to shine, depending on the song being performed. That musical democracy makes for one very happy band.
“You’ll see a lot of people on stage having fun celebrating the greatest songs,” said Rose as a primer for the uninitiated.
“We’re very fortunate that we get to do this as a full-time gig — play our favourite songs with our best buds. We’ve got a really great group of people in this band and I’m very grateful for that. They’re all a bunch of sweethearts and there’s never a shortage of dumb jokes to go around.’
Following its Musicfest appearance, Dwayne Gretzky will hit the road into November for multiple shows in Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Manitoba, with an August 23 date at the Iowa State Fair thrown in for good measure.
Then there’s the big one: an October 16 appearance at Toronto’s famed Massey Hall.
Not bad at all for a bunch of friends who came together on a lark all those years ago and haven’t taken themselves too seriously since.
VIDEO: “1999” by Prince – Dwayne Gretzky
Of note, Dwayne Gretzky’s appearance coincides with Musicfest’s annual Invest in Musicfest fundraising drive that supports the appearance of premier artists at Del Crary Park.
All donations will go the festival’s entertainment budget, helping ensure it remains what has been since day one back in 1987: free and accessible to all. Musicfest volunteers will be spread out throughout the park, accepting donations by cash, debit, or credit card.
Prior to Dwayne Gretzky taking the stage, the Cogeco-sponsored Future Sound Series will see JJ and the Pillars frontman JJ Thompson perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., near the food trucks at the George Street entrance to Del Crary Park.
VIDEO: “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin – Dwayne Gretzky
Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 39th season, staged in Del Crary Park on Wednesday and Saturday nights until August 19.
Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert or the 2026 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or call the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2026 season.
