April Wine is one of Canada’s most enduring rock bands. Formed in 1969, the group built a career on catchy guitar riffs, radio-friendly singles, and energetic live shows. Led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Myles Goodwyn, April Wine found success across Canada and made a lasting impression on the U.S. rock scene as well.
Their discography includes gold and platinum albums, international tours, and chart-topping hits like “Just Between You and Me,” “Roller,” and “You Could Have Been a Lady.” Despite lineup changes, April Wine remained active for decades, adapting their sound without losing their core identity.
| Band Name | April Wine |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1969, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Founding Members | Myles Goodwyn, David Henman, Ritchie Henman, Jim Henman |
| Genres | Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Arena Rock |
| Peak Popularity | Late 1970s to early 1980s |
| Key Albums | Electric Jewels, First Glance, The Nature of the Beast, Stand Back |
| Most Famous Song | “Just Between You and Me” |
| Label | Aquarius, Capitol, Attic |
| Canadian Music Hall of Fame | Inducted in 2010 |
| Years Active | 1969–1985, 1992–present |
Origins in Nova Scotia
April Wine began in late 1969 in Waverley, Nova Scotia. The original lineup included Myles Goodwyn (vocals, guitar), brothers David Henman (guitar) and Ritchie Henman (drums), and their cousin Jim Henman (bass). The band name reportedly came from someone randomly suggesting “April Wine”—despite it having no specific meaning, the name stuck.
In 1970, the band relocated to Montreal. There, they signed a deal with Aquarius Records and started recording their debut album. The self-titled April Wine (1971) included the track “Fast Train,” which became a modest radio hit in Canada and helped establish their presence.
Early Success and First Hits
Jim Henman left the group after the first album and was replaced by Jim Clench on bass. With this lineup, the band released their second album, On Record (1972), featuring their breakout hit “You Could Have Been a Lady.” The song, a cover of a track by British soul group Hot Chocolate, reached #5 in Canada and #32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Also on that album was “Bad Side of the Moon,” written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. While it didn’t chart as highly, the song became a fan favorite and earned the band more airplay.
Lineup Changes and Electric Jewels
During the recording of their third album, Electric Jewels (1973), both Henman brothers left the band. Myles Goodwyn and Jim Clench recruited guitarist Gary Moffet and drummer Jerry Mercer to complete the project. With this refreshed lineup, the band released one of their most critically respected albums.
Electric Jewels included tracks like “Weeping Widow” and the title song, both of which are still regarded as staples in the band’s live set.
Rise in the Canadian Rock Scene
View this post on Instagram
April Wine’s next album, Stand Back (1975), helped push the band further into the Canadian mainstream. Songs like “Tonight Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” and “I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love” became radio hits. The album went double platinum in Canada, marking their growing success.
Following this, Clench left the band. He later joined Loverboy and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Steve Lang replaced him on bass.
In 1976, April Wine released The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy, which became their first album to sell over 100,000 copies in Canada. This marked their commercial breakthrough. Their next album, Forever for Now (1977), continued their success, achieving platinum status.
Breaking into the U.S. Market
April Wine’s seventh album, First Glance (1978), finally brought them widespread recognition in the United States. The single “Roller” reached #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the band’s signature songs. It also earned them opening slots on major U.S. tours, including with acts like Styx and Rush.
In 1979, they followed up with Harder… Faster, which featured “I Like to Rock” and “Say Hello.” The album performed well in both Canada and the U.S., reinforcing the band’s momentum.
Peak of Popularity: The Nature of the Beast
April Wine released their most successful album, The Nature of the Beast, in 1981. It included their biggest U.S. single, “Just Between You and Me,” which reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also received heavy rotation on MTV, which was launching around that time.
The Nature of the Beast went platinum in Canada and gold in the United States, marking the high point of their international fame.
Decline and Farewell
The 1982 album Power Play included singles like “Enough Is Enough” and “If You See Kay,” but it didn’t match the success of its predecessor. Despite that, the supporting tour was a commercial success.
In 1984, Animal Grace was released, followed by Walking Through Fire in 1985. These albums struggled commercially, and by then, tensions and fatigue had built up. April Wine announced their retirement and launched “The Farewell Tour,” which included a live album titled One for the Road.
By the time Walking Through Fire was released, the band was effectively disbanded.
Reunion and Later Years
View this post on Instagram
April Wine reunited in 1992 for a one-off performance in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The positive reception led to a full reunion. This lineup included Myles Goodwyn, Jim Clench, Jerry Mercer, and new members like Steve Segal and Brian Greenway.
They released several albums in the 1990s and 2000s:
-
Attitude (1993)
-
Frigate (1994)
-
Back to the Mansion (2001)
-
Greatest Hits Live 2000 (2003)
In 2006, Aquarius Records released April Wine Rocks!, a compilation of their most iconic songs.
Honors and Legacy
April Wine was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010. That same year, long-time bassist Jim Clench died of lung cancer at age 61.
Despite losing some key members over the years, the band has continued to tour and perform. Myles Goodwyn retired from touring in 2022 but still contributes to the group’s direction. April Wine remains a fixture in Canadian rock history.
Their music—filled with catchy hooks, hard rock energy, and melodic ballads—continues to be rediscovered by new generations.
Notable Songs
Here are some of April Wine’s most recognized tracks:
-
“Fast Train”
-
“You Could Have Been a Lady”
-
“Roller”
-
“Just Between You and Me”
-
“I Like to Rock”
-
“Tonight Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love”
-
“Sign of the Gypsy Queen”
-
“Say Hello”
-
“I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love”
-
“Oowatanite”
-
“Weeping Widow”
-
“Rock and Roll Is a Vicious Game”
-
“This Could Be the Right One”