The iconic TV personality and Canadian author, Bill Welychka (MuchMusic fame) has announced the release of his upcoming debut memoir, A Happy Has-Been. Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists, via FriesenPress.
His debut memoir, Bill Welychka: A Happy Has-Been. Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists is slated for release at the end of August 2023 and will dive into the many tales of spending time with Madonna (at her house), Mick Jagger, Oasis, AC/DC, Johnny Cash, members of The Beatles, Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Garth Brooks, Prince, and dozens of other music legends. Bill writes about his world travels from spending time with the Maasai warriors on the Serengeti to covering the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco six years in a row. Despite a career that had him mobbed at concerts and meeting every single idol he had, Bill opens up about his battles with depression. Also, this celebrated media icon shares the important life lessons he has learned during his blessed life.
Bill Welychka: A Happy Has-Been. Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists will be available through Friesen Press and is available at Amazon.com
It has also been announced that partial proceeds from the book being donated to the White Ribbon Campaign and various women’s shelters across Canada.
Bill has lots to celebrate! 2023 marks the 35th year of his dedication and insight to both sides of
the camera. As well, 90s retro music is back in a big way and the timing of Bill’s book is perfect…as there is a new Crave Original Documentary about MuchMusic entitled, “299 Queen Street West,” slated for release in September 2023 (Bill was interviewed extensively for the doc). ALSO, there is a film currently in production loosely based on Bill’s life, more details coming soon.
Learn more about Bill’s upcoming release below via our mini-interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Thanks, Jenna and Canadian Beats zeen for this opportunity to chat. My name is Bill Welychka. I love working in television broadcasting and creating awesome TV. I love hockey and monkeys and beautiful sunsets in the Caribbean (I would love to walk with a monkey on the beach somewhere in the Caribbean. That would be a dream! It would be my ONLY dream that hasn’t come true!) I am a long-time TV broadcaster, a world traveler, a lover of all genres of music, and a new author.
You have announced your debut memoir, Bill Welychka: “A Happy Has-Been. Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists.” Tell us a bit about how the idea behind the book came to be.
Wow…a long story. I have been told for decades “You should write a book!” Well, 35 years after I started in television as an editor at MuchMusic (Canada’s music television channel), and eventually a producer, interviewer, on-air host, weather specialist, and other things, that book is ready to go!
During Covid, I was asked to be a guest on many podcasts, to talk about music and trends and the resurgence of 90s music. I recounted many stories and started writing many memories down. I went to my computer and started banging out many more memories and after a year, by mid-2022, I had what I thought was a solid foundation for a book. I tweaked it, added to it, tweaked it more, and by the end of 2022, the formation of my autobiography was complete.
I found a publisher who could release it by the fall of this year (2023). The book’s release coincides with the release of a new documentary highlighting MuchMusic’s contributions to Canadian pop culture.
I am extremely proud of the book. It talks about fame, pop culture, and the art of interviewing, it demystifies and tears down celeb worship, and shares my moments with many of my fave music artists.”
Partial proceeds from the book are being donated to the White Ribbon campaign and various women’s shelters across Canada. What made you choose to donate to these causes?
Thanks for asking! I have always believed it doesn’t take much to make this world a better place. We can all donate a few bucks to whatever charity that speaks to you or touches you. Donating time to a charity for volunteering is simple too. I believe in elevating everyone around me. It’s effortless and goes a long way! The White Ribbon Campaign is an organization that started after the massacre in 1989 at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. Fourteen women were murdered; another ten women and four men were injured by a gunman who targeted women or anyone who got in his way of carrying out his misguided and sick directive. I was raised by a single Mom and have always thought women were the stronger sex in so many ways, yet there are terrible inequalities that still exist, and women are often the target of sexual, mental, and physical abuse at the hands of men. The WRC was started by a bunch of guys who wanted to do something. The organization grew into chapters first across Canada, then the US, and now around the world…often in countries that don’t recognize women’s rights. The movement of guys getting together to end men’s violence against women was introduced to me by Jeff Martin (Canadian rock band The Tea Party). He asked me to MC the White Ribbon Campaign benefit concerts in Toronto many years ago and I eagerly accepted. To this day, I believe all guys should be responsible to share the message with other guys that there is no room in our world for violence against women. In any form. Partial proceeds of book sales will go towards the WRC and women’s shelters across Canada. Women’s shelters are underfunded and overflowing with victims of abuse. Often assisting women leaving a domestic violence situation with kids in tow and nothing but a small suitcase.
Your name is recognized immediately by many as a well-known Much Music VJ of the 90s. What was one of the highlights of those years?
“OMG…the traveling was the best! I was in LA or NYC every other weekend. I have visited about 20 countries thanks to my MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic days. I loved the traveling, but the biggest highlights were meeting and bonding with every music artist/ hero that I looked up to. I have bonded with many legends. But the most satisfying experiences to me were countless numbers of, what I refer to as, perfect circles. I had band logos doodled on my notebooks, patches on my jean jacket of my fave bands, pictures in my lockers, and posters in my room of my fave artists. Music was a badge to me. I have interviewed and bonded with and had unforgettable moments with every single artist I grew up idolizing. To sit with Ozzy and talk on his private jet, flying over Pennsylvania was amazing. A perfect circle. Interviewing all the remaining members of Led Zeppelin over the years? I am freakin’ blessed! From an impressionable young age, I have been a fan of The Cure (and Robert Smith). I have spent many hours interviewing Robert a few times and producing some wicked hour specials! Even getting older and getting into newer music and becoming a fan of new artists, the chance to sit and bond was always a huge thrill. Many of those experiences are written about in the book.
You are featured in the new Crave Original Documentary, 299 Queen Street West, which is set for release in September 2023. What was that experience like?
It was amazing being asked to be a part of Sean Menard’s project. I eagerly accepted to be interviewed and share my stories. There was a period of time when I tried to get away from my music journalism past. I had to and needed to reinvent myself a few times…morning show host, weather presenter, news reader. I have returned to covering entertainment while I represent a glorious community that I faithfully do each day and have combined all my experiences into what I presently do. I am in an amazing situation right now here in Kingston at CKWS-TV (A Global Corus Entertainment affiliate).
The renewed interest in MuchMusic is fascinating to me. I haven’t seen the doc, although I am in it. But I know director Sean Menard with assistance from my bud, another ex-MM VJ Erica Ehm will tell the tale of a cheeky, unpolished TV channel that broke new ground in broadcasting. I am sure they will remind people of a time when unscripted music television was showcased to a Canadian population that couldn’t get enough of being introduced to new music acts. It was a very important part of my life and to many viewers and music acts too.
Sadly, those days personally and professionally are gone. And that style of music presentation will never be duplicated nor replicated ever again. I think the doc will be a great reminder that music journalism could be fun, engaging, and entertaining, and yet possess an element of relevance to society and pop culture.
The doc will tour across Canada and there are talks about rolling out some select VJs for the presentation with Q & As following the screenings. I have already been asked about some dates and I look forward to it. One of the highlights of that time of my life was meeting viewers. I STILL love that! But to hear many people relay their life story during that period, will be awesome. I actually deal with that still on a daily basis everywhere I go. It is an honor and a blessing!
Last but not least, with the way life and music have changed, especially over the last few years, what do you miss most about the Much Music days?
Mmmm…I miss some friends that I used to work with at 299 Queen St. West. I miss many Toronto friends. I miss easy access to big-name shows. I miss traveling. I miss the thrill of opening a new CD and pouring over the lyrics and liner notes. Streaming has killed the experience of a new music release.
But I love where I am now, what I am doing, who I work with, where I work, and where I am living. Most importantly, finding love with my fiancé Amanda. She has brought so much positivity to my life and has made me a healthier and better person.
I am very happy but I know full well that NOW could not exist without where I came from and those cherished Toronto MuchMusic days.