Tom Wilson (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Wilson
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Tom Wilson performing at the Haven Social Club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
Tehoh'ahake
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| Birth name | Thomas Cunningham Wilson |
| Also known as | Lee Harvey Osmond |
| Born | 1959 (age 65–66) |
| Origin | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Blues, rock, psychedelic folk, folk, Americana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, artist |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Associated acts |
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Thomas Lazare Wilson (born in 1959) is a Canadian rock musician from Hamilton, Ontario. He has been a songwriter and performer for many years. Tom Wilson plays many different kinds of music. His styles have included rock, folk, and blues. He has been part of several popular bands.
Contents
Early Life and Discoveries
Tom Wilson grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. He was adopted and raised by his great-aunt and uncle. Later in his life, Tom found out that his birth parents were Louis Beauvais and Jane Lazare. Both of them were Mohawk from Kahnawake.
Tom did not know he was Mohawk until he was an adult. He learned the truth about his adoption by chance. Someone he met on a speaking tour knew his great-aunt. This person mentioned being there the day Tom was adopted.
Music Career
Tom Wilson has been making music since the 1980s. He has been a part of several bands and also released solo albums.
Early Bands
Tom Wilson's first band was The Florida Razors. They formed in 1981. The band released one album called Beat Music in 1986. They broke up in 1987.
In the 1990s, Tom was the lead singer of the band Junkhouse. Junkhouse released three albums and many songs.
In 1996, he joined with Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing. They formed a roots rock group called Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
Solo Work and Collaborations
In 2001, Tom Wilson released his first solo album, Planet Love. A song from the album, "Dig It," became very popular. In 2006, he released his second solo album, Dog Years.
He also worked with Bob Lanois on a collection of acoustic songs. This project was called The Shack Recordings Volume 1.
Many other artists have performed Tom Wilson's songs. These include Mavis Staples and Colin James. His music has also been used in TV shows, commercials, and movies.
Recent Projects and Recognition
Tom Wilson's newest music project is Lee Harvey Osmond. He works with members of the band Skydiggers on this project.
In 2017, Tom Wilson wrote a book about his life called Beautiful Scars. In the book, he shared his journey of discovering his Mohawk heritage. He also explored this part of his life in Lee Harvey Osmond's 2019 album, Mohawk. In 2022, he released Mother Love, an album he made with iskwē.
A documentary film about his life, also called Beautiful Scars, was released in 2022.
In June 2023, Tom Wilson received a special award. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This award recognized his many contributions to the arts in Canada. It also honored his support for Indigenous communities.
In 2024, McMaster University announced that Tom Wilson will receive an honorary degree. This is a special award from the university.
Family Life
In the mid-1980s, Tom Wilson met Sandy Shaw. They started a relationship and moved to Hamilton in 1989. They later married in 1995 and had two children. They separated in the early 2000s but remained good friends.
Tom has two children who are also involved in music and public life. His son, Thompson Wilson Shaw, is a musician. His daughter, Madeline Wilson Shaw, has worked in music and politics.
Since 2015, Tom Wilson has been in a relationship with Margot Burnell.
