General Background

Tom Cochrane was born in Lynn Lake Manitoba Canada and was raised in a place called Etobicoke which is near Toronto. He is married to his wife Kathy and they have two children. He picked up his first guitar when he was about eleven years old and by the early seventies, he began by performing in various coffee houses across Canada. Tom has his pilot's license and enjoys flying his very own float plane, which is a Cessna 185. One of Tom's songs, "Message", is dedicated to his father. Tom has been involved with charitable and worthwile volunteer organizations such as Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving, Power Aid, and World Vision.

In the 1980's Tom became a part of a popular Toronto rock band by the name of "Red Rider. He soon became lead singer of the group and together, they released a total of five albums and one collection album.

Red Rider soon became known as "Tom Cochrane & Red Rider" as they released one of their hit albums, "Victory Day" in 1988. The following year they played various songs with the Edmonton Symphony and recorded their last album "Tom Cochrane & Red Rider The Symphony Sessions". Tom then decided to go single and he released his own album, which contained his hit single "Life Is A Highway", from the Cd "Mad Mad World" in 1991. He has released five other albums since then which are Ragged Ass Road (1995), Songs Of A Circling Spirit (1997), Xray Sierra (1999), Tom Cochrane & Red Rider Anthology (2002), and Trapeze (2002).

Questions and Answers

Q: When & Where Was Tom Born?

A: Tom was born in Lynn Lake Manitoba on the 14th May 1953.

Q: Any Information About Tom's Family?

A: Tom is one of 3 children. Born to Violet and Tuck Cochrane. Tuck was a Bush Pilot by profession.

Q: Where Did Tom Grow Up?

A: Tom and his family relocated to Acton Ontario when he was 4. The family eventually settled in Etobicoke, Ontario.

Q: When Did Tom Take Up The Guitar?

A: He bought his first guitar when he was 12 years old, using the proceeds from selling his dads model train set.

Q: What Music Did Tom Listen To When He Was Growing Up?

A: His passion for music began with the Beatles. He grew up on the soul music of Otis Redding and Ben E King and the early rock of Eddie Cochran & Carl Perkins. Later to become influenced by Bob Dylan.

Q: What Did Tom Wear To School?

A: "I'd go to school in tight jeans, work boots, black shirts done up to the neck". - Tom Cochrane

Q: What Jobs Did Tom Do Before He Became Famous?

A: Tom worked at CIL Paints as a clerk. He also worked at Canadian Packers packing meat. Also he did some Cab driving. When he moved to L.A. he delivered phone books and washed dishes. He even crewed on a boat in the Caribbean.