Jonas Antoine

Jonas Antoine, 1974, Yellowknife, NWT Archives, Native Communications Society fonds - Native Press photograph collectionN-2018-010 01983

Musicians of the Midnight Sun is very pleased to welcome respected Dehcho elder, Jonas Antoine onto the roster.

In this interview, Jonas talks of growing up in the traditional lifestyle of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ got’ine. on the Rabbit Skin River and of the music he experienced as a young man. In 1959, Jonas jumped on a floatplane that took him to Yellowknife to attend high school where he resided at Akaitcho Hall. There he met Albert Canadien and John Radcliffe, both of whom would later become instrumental in the formation of “The Chieftones”.

In 1966, Jonas received a message to call Albert Canadien and Chieftones manager, John Radcliffe asking him to be their sound man/road manager.. Based on that phone call, Jonas flew from Hay River to Chicago to work with “The Chieftones”. From 1966 – 69, they performed at state and county fairs and showrooms across the US, opening for iconic American artists and bands such as “The Beachboys”, Jerry Lee Lewis, “Sir Douglas Quintet”, “The Everly Brothers” and “Johnny and the Hurricanes”. Seeing as how the headliners chose to play through “The Chieftones” sound system, Jonas was often at the mixing board for them as well.

Jonas’ memories and anecdotes provide a fascinating perspective of touring with “The Chieftones”, through the continental US from the mid to late 1960s.