
Canada’s Bif Naked opens up about her life, book and new album emerging from pandemic in 2021
The Great White North Retro PodcastShow Notes
Born Beth Torbert in India in 1971 to a Canadian girl and British boy, neither family wanted anything to do with her. Thus began a life of struggle, which has included alcohol abuse, a drug overdose, and breast cancer. Her story is told in the 2016 book, ‘I, Bificus.’ Her 11th studio album ‘Champion’ came out in June 2024.
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More from The Great White North Retro Podcast
The Trews formed in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1997, and are now based out of Hamilton, Ontario. The band, known for their high-energy music, consists of brothers Colin and John-Angus MacDonald as singer and guitarist along with Jack Syperek on bass, drummer Theo McKibbon and keyboardist Jeff Heisholt. With a career spanning over three decades, the Trews have recorded over 20 top 10 hits in Canada including three #1 singles and a number of Gold and Platinum certifications. The Band’s 2003 album, ‘House of Ill Fame’ went platinum in Canada and included their breakout hit “Not Ready To Go.’ This year’s Grey Cup Festival runs from November 11–14th, with the 113th Grey Cup game set for McMahon Stadium on Sunday, November 15th.
The book covers Campanelli’s rise from a kid in Hamilton, Ontario, to becoming a household name as “Rick the Temp” on MuchMusic and later co-hosting Entertainment Tonight Canada. For the first time, Campanelli speaks publicly about his severe, hidden gambling addiction that he secretly struggled with during his broadcast career, involving debts, bookies, and an eventual turning point after an arrest in Las Vegas. The book is available at Indigo Books & Music and Amazon Canada.
Air Supply has been romancing audiences for over 50 years, rising to fame on the heels of a string of chart-topping hits in the early 80s. One of the keys to Air Supply’s success is a combination of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s songwriting. Air Supply has been playing the Calgary area on a regular basis for a number of years now, with their latest date set for February 24, 2027, as part of their ‘A Matter of Time Canada Tour’ with Glass Tiger.
The Thompson Twins rose to the top of the charts in the early to mid-80s with a string of hits. The British pop group’s fourth album Into the Gap was released in 1984 and became the band’s most commercially successful studio album, hitting number one on the UK Albums Chart and staying there for three weeks, and also reaching number 10 in the US. The album included some of their biggest hits such as “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor! Doctor!” & “You Take Me Up.” Bailey toured North America in the summer of 2024 as part of the ‘Totally Tubular Festival’ along with Thomas Dolby, Modern English, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, and The Plimsouls.
McCulloch was born in Edmonton, (we won’t hold that against him!) but also attended Mount Royal University in Calgary and got his start at The Loose Moose Theatre Company, where he met fellow ‘Kids In The Hall’ alum Mark McKinney. The name comes from an unfavorable historical review that once called McCulloch the “dark purple slice” of ‘The Kids in the Hall’ and blends stand-up comedy, personal storytelling, music, and theatrical elements. The show explores how people use dark or gallows humor to navigate difficult life experiences, such as grief, loss, and his father’s funeral. It features poignant stories, including email exchanges with his late friend Gord Downie and an interactive segment where McCulloch hands out stuffed animals to audience members who have had a tough year. Live musical accompaniment for the tour has featured Craig Northey and the band The Odds, alongside new tracks like “Sad Mall.”