MICHAEL TARRY McDERMOTT
Songwriter, musician, recording artist and radio announcer
Michael Tarry McDermott, known professionally as Michael Tarry, was born in Lees (Oldham), England, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1958. In the late 60s and early 70s , he was a member of two groups: "Susan Taylor and the Paytons", and "Milestone". By 1969 he was signed to Columbia Records for a single, All That I Love. That single did not chart. However, he did receive a Certificate of Honour for having made an outstanding contribution to Canadian music with his recording of If You Believe. (Flip Side - Such a Long Time) In the same year a single was released with the group "Milestone", featuring Michael Tarry - Sometimes Your Up (Flip side- Silent People). All these 45s can still be found for sale on the internet.
Michael also wrote commercials and scores for two movies. By 1973 he had signed to WEA Records and soon had a charted hit with the song, Rosalie, for which he received another Certificate of Honour. In July 1973, Rosalie peaked inside the Top 10 at #8 on the Canadian charts, competing against Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and Paul Simon. No easy feat! In fact, Michael Tarry was nominated for a Juno award that year. Have a listen!
Rosalie, by Michael Tarry (McDermott)
She was a ballet dancer,
with the grace of a dove she would dance up above in the other room.
I would invite her down to tea,
but she never would agree,
she didn’t like my way of doing things;
it’s not her way.
And when the music played,
like arrows in your heart,
bleeding from the start she meant everything.
Make the answer lie within
and your troubles not begin,
can you make it that way for me?
Rosalie Rosalie
can I sing you a song?
and tell you all my secrets?
and tell you all my thoughts?
There’s nothing I’d like better
and there’s nothing I would not do for you, Rosalie.
Of all the things we talked about,
it would never come across,
you would always get so cross and ruin everything.
You know I tried my very best;
when I did I pleased you less,
there’s no use in trying anymore.
Rosalie Rosalie
can I sing you a song?
and tell you all my secrets?
and tell you all my thoughts?
There’s nothing I’d like better
and there’s nothing I would not do for you, Rosalie.
Rosalie Rosalie
can I sing you a song?
and tell you all my secrets?
and tell you all my thoughts?
There’s nothing I’d like better
and there’s nothing I would not do for you, Rosalie.
Michael retired from the professional music business when he and his wife, Gilian, relocated to Marmora, Ontario from Toronto in 1978, to live on the Crowe River. There he enjoyed country life and working as a radio announcer for CIGL Quinte Broadcasting, but most of all, he enjoyed boating.
A lot of people in Marmora will remember him as Michael McDermott, the guy who wrote the "Sled Dog Song" and later the song for T.N.T. to aid their protest against Toronto's plan to deliver their garbage to the Marmora Mine Site.
Michael died on April 15, 2013
Michael Tarry McDermott c.1983 sent to us by fellow musician, Bruce Thompson
More from the album:
IN THE MAILBOX: FROM PAUL IN SAN FRANCISCO Thank you for you website, and especially for the page on Michael Tarry (who wrote the Marmora Sled Dog Song) Just a note that "Rosalie" was released digitally in July, 2024 on a lovely compilation called "Hard to Find Canadian '70s Hits", available on Apple and Amazon (not a commercial endorsement, just ways to find the song). I couldn't find a physical CD, which made me think: there are no pictures or biographical information to complement the digital release, making your Web page all the more important. I grew up in Scarborough and often heard Michael Tarry's music on the radio
THE MARMORA SLED DOG SONG
Are we going to Marmora Town When the Sled Dog Races they come around
Are we going to Marmora Town To the Festival to feel warm all around
To celebrate the snow on the ground
I am a driver for the huskies Long distance is my trade
In the sunlight through the moonlight On winters frozen trail
And I can feel my heart a-pounding as the huskies take me home
Just one more mile ... just one more mile I hear the echo from the riders like a cry from years gone by
In a winter world of silence it drives me to my quest I am with my friends the huskies Can they hang on for one more mile ... just one more mile
Are we going to Marmora Town When the Sled Dog Races they come around Are we going to Marmora Town To the Festival to feel warm all around To celebrate the snow on the ground.
