APRIL WINE, noted for their three guitar driving Rock, was created in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1969 by the Henman brothers David on guitar, Jimmy on bass and Ritchie on drums. Joining them in the endeavor was vocalist / guitarist Myles Goodwyn. Both Goodwyn and Jimmy Henman had previously played together in EAST GATE SANCTUARY whilst David and Ritchie Henman had been members of PRISM (not the later more successful outfit). Goodwyn and the Henman's had previous to this played together in WOODY'S TERMITES.

The name APRIL WINE has its inspiration shrouded in mystery. While some sources suggest it inspired from a Rock Opera Jimmy Henman had been working on, the central character of April dying from an overdose, statements from Henman himself claim it was because his birthday was in April and that the band drank wine!

Early albums were issued on the Aquarius label in Canada and Big Tree Records in America. APRIL WINE tasted success almost immediately with the single 'You Could Have Been A Lady', lifted from their second album of 1972 produced by THE RASCALS duo of Gene Cornish and Gino Dinelli, broke into the American charts and gave the band a Canadian number one. Jimmy Henman left the fold to go to college and APRIL WINE adopted a new bassist Jim Clench, previously with COVEN.

Following 1973's 'On Record' album Danny and Ritchie Henman departed. The duo would found SILVER and later THE DUDES. Ritchie Henman featured on the 1979 CRUISER album 'Rollin' With The Times'.

APRIL WINE plugged the gap with ex POPS MERRILY guitarist Gary Moffat and former THE TRIANGLE / MASHMAKHAN / THE WACKERS drummer Jerry Mercer for the late 1973 album 'Electric Jewels'. A worthy live album ensued and studio record 'Stand Back' in 1975 maintained the momentum attaining platinum sales status in Canada. Clench opted out to join 451 DEGREES, a prototype LOVERBOY and then several albums with BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE. Clench would also put down the bass on BRYAN ADAMS debut 1980 record.

Clench was substituted by MASHMAKHAN's Steve Lang who debuted on 1976's 'Forever, For Now', another platinum record.

The band then signed to London Records for 'The Whole World's Goin' Crazy', which featured TROOPER keyboard player Frank Ludwig as session guest, and the 'Live At The El Mocambo' records.

APRIL WINE signed to major label Capitol in 1978 for the 'First Glance' album and for the first time the cult status internationally began to translate into record sales. The band's sound was boosted with the addition of guitarist / keyboard player Brian Greenway giving APRIL WINE their trademark trio of guitars. Greenway, a forklift truck driver at the time of his recruitment, had a history in local acts MADE IN CANADA, THE DUDES and MASHMAKHAN.

Goodwyn took time out in 1979 to produce the TEAZE album 'One Night Stands'.

1980's 'Harder... Faster' sold well in Britain hitting the NWoBHM boom perfectly. APRIL WINE increased the profile massively in Britain with a series of tours and an appearance at the first 'Monsters Of Rock' Donington festival sharing a bill with RAINBOW, JUDAS PRIEST, SCORPIONS and SAXON. The resulting live album sees APRIL WINE represented with a live cut of 'I Like To Rock' recorded on the day.

The album cover for the 1981 record 'Nature Of The Beast' depicted a cleverly crafted photograph of a werewolf playing guitar fitted the mood perfectly to give APRIL WINE another strong seller.

'Nature Of The Beast' also made solid headway into the American charts giving the act their first million seller outside of Canada. This accomplishment was matched by the follow up 1982's 'Powerplay'. Radio play was assured with the singles 'Just Between You And Me' and 'Roller' both gaining top 40 placings.

During 1984 APRIL WINE splintered with Lang, Moffet and Mercer going their separate ways, the latter joining THE BUZZ BAND and putting in drum sessions on LEE AARON's 'Call Of The Wild' album. Moffet was to engineer the 'Metalized' album by Canuck Metal act SWORD in 1986.

Greenway founded the BRIAN GREENWAY SWEAT BAND with former FIST bassist Gord Kirchin. The latter would evolve into the notorious Thrash Metal personality PILEDRIVER.

Although wishing to pursue a solo career APRIL WINE were contractually obliged to Capitol for one further album. The band regrouped with Goodwyn and Greenway joined by session players keyboard player Daniel Barbe, bassist Jean Pellerin and drummer Marty Simon for the 'Walking Through Fire' album.

In the mid eighties Goodwyn went on sabbatical to the Bahamas and APRIL WINE retired into the shadows.

Goodwyn issued a self-titled solo album during 1988 whilst Greenway founded his own band GREENWAY for the 'Serious Business' album which featured ALDO NOVA along with Barbe and Simon once more. Jerry Mercer duly founded the BUZZ BAND in union with John McGale and Breen LeBoeuf. An eponymous album emerged in 1990.

APRIL WINE reformed in 1992. The 1994 studio album 'Frigate' comprised a membership of Goodwyn, Greenaway, ALDO NOVA guitarist Steve Segal, bassist James Clench and drummer Jerry Mercer. Additional keyboards came from Jean St. Jacques. Moffet was recently spotted as live guitarist for SASS JORDAN.

APRIL WINE continue to tour as a quartet now minus Segal. The 2002 Canadian film 'Fubar's' soundtrack would include a version of 'Roller' reworked by TREBEL CHARGER. A 2003 alive album, 'Greatest Hits Live', notably included two brand new studio tracks in 'That's Who I Am, This Is What I Do' and 'Strong Silent Type'. The record was recorded by an APRIL WINE line-up comprising Myles Goodwyn, Brian Greenaway, CONEY HATCH man CARL DIXON on guitar and keyboards, bassist Jim Clench and drummer Jerry Mercer.

Ex-SAVATAGE guitarist JACK FROST covered 'Sign Of The Gypsy Queen' on his 2005 solo album. APRIL WINE undertook extensive Canadian touring throughout the Summer of 2005, including June supports to DEEP PURPLE. A brand new studio album, 'Roughly Speaking', emerged in November 2006.