Toronto Rock outfit. The eponymous 1989 WINTER ROSE album, re-released by the German Inside Out Music concern in 1997, featured the erstwhile GYPSY ROSE rhythm section of bassist Rob Laidlaw and drummer Randy Cooke. Guitars would be handled by Bruce Dies. Laidlaw has made a name for himself on the Canadian Rock scene drawing up credits with artists such as RIK EMMETT, LEE AARON, KIM MITCHELL and ALANNAH MYLES. Latterly Laidlaw is to be found as a member of AOR act HONEYMOON SUITE.

Probably of most note is that WINTER ROSE saw DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie (real name Kevin) handling lead vocals. LaBrie had replaced former singer SEBASTIAN BACH (a.k.a. Sebastian Bierk) as the group evolved through early incarnations titled HOPE and SEBASTIAN. Bach exited to join MADAM X then SKID ROW.

A 2005 solo album from JAMES LABRIE, 'Elements Of Persuasion', would be engineered by Labrie's erstwhile WINTER ROSE bandmate Richard Chycki. The guitarist had also scored studio credits with both RUSH and AEROSMITH.