Attempts at nourishing and spreading cultural economic activities have paid off for Hamilton over the decades. Dundurn Castle was refurbished as Centennial project. Local TV station CHCH introduced Canadians to Smith & Smith, which featured Steve and Morag Smith (the former better known from his stint as Red Green). Hamilton became a moderately important film and television adjunct of the Toronto film market.
Although never entirely out of the music eye, Hamilton gave birth or havens to a number of successful musicians of various genres over the years. Jazz-blues musicians The Washingtons were popular in the 1940s, and brother Jackie Washington continues to perform. Folksinger Stan Rogers was born in Dundas, where he lived until his death in 1982. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra under Boris Brott, although often troubled financially, achieved wide renown.
Among the rock-pop acts formed in Hamilton or by Hamiltonians were: Teenage Head, Forgotten Rebels, Junkhouse, and Appleton. Furthermore, Daniel Lanois, a solo artist in his own right and producer for U2, lived in Hamilton and recorded at Grant Avenue Studios. The Sonic Unyon label started fostered the Hamilton sound in the early 1990s.
Hamilton hosted several cultural and craft fairs since the 1970s, notably Festival of Friends and Earthsong, which made it a major tourist destination. Unfortunately, these fair trade venues and celebrators of world music declined in quality and ultimately disappeared, and their replacements have yet to find their niches.
Other Famous Hamiltonian's
Thomas Bain, former Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
Robert Beatty, television, radio and film actor
Rick Campanelli, MuchMusic VJ
Wendy Crewson, actor
Sheila Copps, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
Ken Dryden, former NHL hockey player, writer and politician
Adelaide Hoodless, 19th century education reform activist
Karen Kain, ballet dancer
Florence Lawrence, Hollywood's first movie star
Eugene Levy, actor and comedian (SCTV)
Marty McSorley, NHL hockey player
Steve Paikin, television journalist
Lorraine Segato, pop-rock singer-songwriter
Martin Short, actor and comedian (SCTV)
Tom Wilson-Junkhouse
Pat Quinn-Toronto Maples Leafs Head Coach
Later,
Kenaz
