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When asked in a 2010 interview how long he had been playing the guitar, Tony “Wild T” Springer replied with a chuckle, “I was in the womb playing with my umbilical cord.” Coming from one of the most technically brilliant and melodically inventive guitarists to come out of Canada in recent memory it is tempting to accept his comment as gospel.
The truth lies some 4,000 kilometres to the south in the town of Tunapuna (the “T” in Wild T) on the island of Trinidad where Springer was born 44 years ago. Annoyed by having his knuckles rapped by a piano teacher for playing a wrong note, he took up the ukulele and then the guitar when an aunt offered to pay for lessons. After only one session, Springer discovered his God-given gift for the intricacies of the fret board. “Don’t waste your money on me,” he told his aunt. “I’m okay.”
Springer moved to Toronto in the early 1980s using his experience with reggae and calypso bands to lever his way into the local music scene. Named Best Guitarist by the Canadian Black Musicians’ Association in 1982, his leading role in the Jimi Hendrix tribute act Fire brought him to the attention of a young Jeff Healey. “I just followed him around like he was a messiah,” said Healey who would play frequently with Springer over the years. “I probably learned more from Tony than from anyone else. He’s been my idol for years.”
In 1990 Springer renamed his band The Spirit and released his first CD, Love Crazy (1991). The following year, David Bowie invited Springer to play guitar on his Black Tie White Noise album and tour the talk show circuit to promote the results. Springer’s sophomore endeavour, Givin’ Blood (1993) earned a Juno nomination for Best Hard Rock Album.
In need of a break, Springer headed for Chicago during the second half of the 1990s where he earned his living as a side man. By 2002, he had returned to Toronto, reformed his band and released his third studio album, True Bliss (2004) which featured Jeff Healey as guest guitarist. After a period of intense touring through Canada and Europe, Springer recorded Fender Bender (2008), thirteen tracks that encompass the whole spectrum from guitar-heavy rock to string bending blues covers.
Tony Springer stands tall as a humble free spirit who finds inspiration in everyday life. “You pick up whatever you can from wherever you can,” he says. As for the guitar, he never tires of the instrument. “It’s therapeutic,” he states. “I look forward to playing because it gets my mind off of things.”
The Blues Underground Network comes close to summing up this unique personality. “Don’t try to compare Wild T & the Spirit with anyone else out there, as he is truly in a special league all his own, as he gets down and dirty with his guitar and leaves all other pretenders in the dust.” Or, as Springer likes to say, and he’s not bragging, “This is it – the real deal baby!” www.wildt.ca
Ken Wright
