Barry Keane is no stranger to the music industry. His father ran a big record company, and Keane grew up a fan of pop music. As he found his way, he was hired by RCA to be a studio drummer. That career as a studio drummer had him as a feature on around 400 albums, working with names like Shania Twain, Overdrive, and Gordon Lightfoot.

When Keane met Gordon Lightfoot, however, there blossomed a relationship that would span over 48 “glorious” years, Keane shared recently with The Newtown Bee.

“I toured with Gordon as his only touring drummer for 48 years,” Keane added. The band that backed Lightfoot up — The Lightfoot Band — is still touring, and will headline Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, on Thursday, October 8.

“We are still playing and we are so proud and privileged to be continuing on playing the great songs that Gordon wrote, and it is such a privilege. When we first started, which was almost three years ago with this band after Gordon had passed, we weren’t sure how people would react to a Gordon Lightfoot [band] without Gordon Lightfoot,” Keane shared. “But I have to say, the response has been just overwhelmingly positive and people seem to share the same joy we have in performing Gordon’s great songs.”

This is evident, as the show is almost sold out at the historic town hall.

As Keane pointed out, every single ticket counts as a “backstage pass.” The show is composed of three parts: performing the great songs of Lightfoot, and between those songs are stories from the three members who toured with Lightfoot himself for almost 150 years, collectively. At the end of the show, the band members will meet with the fans outside in the lobby to talk more about the songs and the joy that the music provokes. Keane said the band loves interacting with the fans and hearing their stories, noting they “just have a blast” doing it.

In addition to Keane on drums, the band also features Rick Haynes on bass, Michael Heffernan on keys, Bill Bell on lead guitar, and Andy Mauck as vocalist and on six and 12 string rhythm guitars. Keane, Haynes, and Heffernan are original members of Lightfoot’s touring band. As mentioned, the three have almost 150 years of playing with Lightfoot and know the music in and out. They are not a tribute band.

Mauck is a relatively new addition to the line-up, joining them in 2024.

“This gentleman by the name of Andy Mauck was such a fan, and, on occasion, he would pull out a guitar … well, Rick heard him," Keane shared. "And when we were deciding on what we should do, how to continue on, Rick said, ‘We should give Andy a shot.’”

Keane said the band was unsure but held auditions for a vocalist. The band listened to Mauck and decided to go with him. Mauck has filled the role of vocalist so well, according to Keane.

“Andy has filled the spot so well. He sings Gordon’s songs with such sincerity and passion and respect,” Keane shared, “And the fans have really taken to Andy. We were so lucky to find him.”

Keane added he is “looking forward” to the Newtown show and interacting with the people there. He reiterated it is a “blast” and “a joy and a privilege” to see the fans, talk with them, and perform for them.

“I think our history is kind of unique and the joy that we have in having shared our time with Gordon, I think that shows in our presentation on stage and I think people who like joy, and Lord knows we need a little bit more joy in this world of ours right now, if people want to have a joyous evening, please. That would be the reason to come out next Thursday,” Keane said.

Tickets for The Lightfoot Band at Edmond Town Hall are $50-$65. They are available at edmondtownhall.org.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.

Among the members of The Lightfoot Band there are almost 150 collective years of playing with Lightfoot. Limited tickets remain for the band’s show at Edmond Town Hall on October 8. —photo courtesy The Lightfoot Band