Greg Godovitz

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Greg Godovitz | image =  | caption = Godovitz performing with Goddo | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Greg Godovitz | birth_date = March 20, 1951 | birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada | origin = Scarborough, Ontario, Canada | genre = Rock, hard rock | occupation = Musician, songwriter, author, broadcaster, record producer | instrument = Bass guitar, vocals | years_active = Late 1960s–present | associated_acts = [[Fludd (band)|Fludd]], [[Goddo]], The Carpet Frogs, The Anger Brothers | label = A&M, Attic, Bullseye Canada | website = [https://greggodovitz.com greggodovitz.com] }}

'''Greg Godovitz''' (born March 20, 1951) is a Canadian musician, songwriter, author, and broadcaster, best known as the bassist, lead vocalist, and founding member of the rock band [[Goddo]]. Active in the Canadian music industry since the late 1960s, he first gained recognition as a founding member of [[Fludd (band)|Fludd]] and played in ''Sherman and Peabody'' with [[Buzz Shearman]] of [[Moxy (band)|Moxy]] and [[Gil Moore]] of [[Triumph (band)|Triumph]].<ref name="Canoe" /><ref name="Slotek" /> Godovitz founded Goddo in 1975, and the group released several nationally charting albums and singles, developing a reputation for their energetic live performances.<ref name="CB_Goddo">{{cite web |title=Goddo |url=https://canadianbands.com/goddo/ |website=CanadianBands.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

In addition to his work with Goddo, Godovitz has pursued a solo career, released the album ''aMuseMe'' (2013), and produced recordings for other artists, including the debut album by Kobra and the Lotus. He has also authored two autobiographical books, ''Travels with My Amp'' (2000) and ''Up Close and Uncomfortable'' (2021), and hosted the Toronto radio program ''Rock Talk'' on [[CFRB]] 1010.

== Early career and Fludd ==

Greg Godovitz began his professional music career in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the bassist for the Canadian rock band '''Fludd'''. Founded by Ed and Brian Pilling, Fludd gained popularity with hits such as "Turned 21", "Cousin Mary", and "Brother and Me", receiving national airplay in Canada.<ref name="CB_Fludd">{{cite web |title=Fludd |url=https://canadianbands.com/fludd/ |website=CanadianBands.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

During his time with Fludd, Godovitz contributed to the band's recordings and live performances, helping shape their melodic, harmony-driven sound that blended British pop-rock influences with Canadian sensibilities. Fludd was signed to major labels including Warner and Daffodil Records, and was a staple of the Canadian rock scene throughout the early 1970s.

Following his departure from Fludd, Godovitz was briefly involved in the group '''Sherman and Peabody''', which included Buzz Shearman (later of Moxy) and Gil Moore (later of Triumph). This lineup never recorded an album but is noted for its influence on the emerging Toronto [[hard rock]] scene.<ref name="CCR">{{cite web |title=Goddo history |url=https://www.canadianclassicrock.com/artist-roster/goddo/ |website=Canadian Classic Rock |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

== Goddo ==

In 1975, after departing the Canadian rock group Fludd, Greg Godovitz founded the hard rock trio '''Goddo'''. The original lineup included Godovitz on bass and lead vocals, Gino Scarpelli on guitar, and Marty Morin on drums, with Doug Inglis later replacing Morin.<ref name="CCR" />

The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1977, followed by several more albums through the late 1970s and early 1980s, including ''Who Cares'' (1978), ''An Act of Goddo'' (1979), and ''Pretty Bad Boys'' (1981). The latter featured their most commercially successful single, "Pretty Bad Boy," which became a Canadian Top 40 hit and earned them a Juno Award nomination.<ref name="CB_Goddo" />

Godovitz's songwriting and outspoken persona helped define the band's raw, unfiltered sound. Despite strong regional popularity and critical attention, the band went on hiatus in the early 1980s.<ref name="STT">{{cite web |title=Interview: Greg Godovitz |url=https://www.smalltowntoronto.com/Interview_Goddo.html |website=SmallTownToronto.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

In 1989, Godovitz reformed Goddo and released two new studio albums: ''12 Gauge Goddo'' (1990) and ''King of Broken Hearts'' (1992), the latter produced by Terry Brown.<ref name="CCR" />

Throughout the 2000s, the band continued to perform and record under Godovitz's leadership, releasing ''Kings of the Stoned Age'' (2003), the live album ''2nd Best Seat in the House – Lighve'' (2004), and the anthology ''Under My Hat – Volume 1: Active Goddo'' (2008).<ref name="Discogs">{{cite web |title=Greg Godovitz – Discography & Credits |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/695222-Greg-Godovitz |website=Discogs |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

The original lineup performed their final show in October 2018, followed by a farewell concert at the [[Phoenix Concert Theatre]] in Toronto in December of that year.<ref name="Outsider">{{cite web |title=GODDO Returns With 50th Anniversary Show & 'Best Of' Release |url=https://outsiderrock.ca/2024/08/16/goddo-returns-with-50th-anniversary-show-best-of-release/|website=Outsider Music Press |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

In 2025, Godovitz led the '''GODDO 50th Anniversary Tour''', performing with a re-formed lineup at venues across Ontario. The tour included dates at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Ottawa, the Brockville Arts Centre, and the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound.<ref name="Stockey">{{cite web |title=Goddo – 50th Anniversary Tour |url=https://stockeycentre.com/event/goddo-50th-anniversary-tour/ |website=Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

== Solo career ==

Outside of his work with Goddo, Greg Godovitz pursued solo projects as a performer, songwriter, and producer. In 2013, he released the album ''aMuseMe'', which featured guest appearances from Canadian musicians including Paul Dean of Loverboy.<ref name="Healey">{{cite web |title=Guest Blog: Greg Godovitz |url=https://jeffhealey.com/2013/06/guest-blog-greg-godovitz/ |website=JeffHealey.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

Godovitz has also been active as a [[record producer]]. Notably, he co-produced the debut album ''Out of the Pit'' by Canadian metal band Kobra and the Lotus, recorded in 2009 and released in 2010.<ref name="EarshotReview">{{cite web |last=Wellwood |first=Jason |title=Kobra and the Lotus – Out of the Pit review |url=https://www.earshot-online.com/reviews/DisplayReview.cfm?DiscID=95590 |website=Earshot Online |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref> Although the album's vocals were later re-recorded by producer [[Kevin Shirley]], Godovitz's involvement in the initial sessions contributed to the band’s early development.

In addition to performing under his own name, Godovitz has played with various side projects and ensembles, including The Carpet Frogs, The Anger Brothers, The Greg Godovitz Orchestra, and The Greg Godovitz Coalition.<ref name="CCR" />

== Writing and broadcasting ==

Greg Godovitz is the author of two autobiographical books. His first, ''Travels with My Amp'', was published in 2000 and became a Canadian bestseller, going through three printings.<ref name="CB">{{cite web |title=Greg Godovitz |url=https://canadianbands.com/interviews_godovitz/ |website=CanadianBands.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref> The book provides a candid account of his life in the music industry, both as the frontman of Goddo and in his earlier musical ventures.

His second book, ''Up Close and Uncomfortable'', was released in 2021 and offers further anecdotes, commentary, and reflections from his decades in the entertainment business.<ref name="519mag">{{cite web |title=Greg Godovitz’s Second Book Up Close and Uncomfortable – The Complete Interview |url=https://519magazine.com/gregg-godovits-second-book-up-close-and-uncomfortable-the-complete-interview/ |website=519 Magazine |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

In addition to his work as a musician and author, Godovitz hosted the Toronto radio show ''Rock Talk'' on CFRB 1010, where he interviewed musicians, discussed rock history, and shared behind-the-scenes stories from his career.<ref name="Starlite">{{cite web |title=Greg Godovitz: Starlite Sessions |url=https://www.starlitesessions.com/spotlite/greggodovitz |website=Starlite Sessions |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref>

==References== <references>

<ref name="Canoe">{{cite web|title=Fludd|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/F/Fludd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131131555/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/F/Fludd.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2016|website=The Canadian Pop Encyclopedia|publisher=[[Canoe.ca]]|accessdate=January 15, 2016}}</ref> <ref name="CB">{{cite web |title=Greg Godovitz |url=https://canadianbands.com/interviews_godovitz/ |website=CanadianBands.com |access-date=2025-08-08}}</ref> <ref name="Slotek">{{cite web|last1=Slotek|first1=Jim|title=Tales of a spent youth|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/G/Goddo/2001/01/09/745365.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131162302/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/G/Goddo/2001/01/09/745365.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2016|publisher=[[Canoe.ca]]|accessdate=January 15, 2016}}</ref>

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==External links== * {{discogs artist|Greg Godovitz}} * {{IMDb name|3665725}}

{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Godovitz, Greg}} [[Category:1951 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Canadian rock bass guitarists]] [[Category:Canadian rock singers]] [[Category:Canadian male singers]] [[Category:Canadian male songwriters]] [[Category:Singers from Toronto]] [[Category:Writers from Toronto]] [[Category:Canadian male bass guitarists]] [[Category:Canadian autobiographers]]