Reverend Ken and the Lost Followers


Reverend Ken and the Lost Followers were a musical novelty act led by Ken Ramsden and remembered for residencies at the Red Dog Tavern in Peterborough, Ont. This is a location where they recorded the Midnight Ride of Red Dog Ray. Performed throughout the province, with regular appearances at the Brunswick House on Bloor St. in Toronto. The group included Washboard Hank, who pursued a musical and recording career after his time with Ramsden. Ken Ramsden achieved later notoriety challenging a local bylaw in Peterborough over a postering incident. The Globe and Mail reported that the "charismatic" Ramsden, leader of the Lost Followers, "challenged the city of Peterborough's poster ban years ago and, with the help of various anarcho-syndicalist elements, carried the case all the way to the Supreme Court. And won."

Musical style

The Followers began performing in the late 1970s. Their shows featured a repertoire mixing bluegrass, country, rock, and popular hits. Washboard Hank, without prior musical experience, joined the band after Ramsden set some of his poetry to music, thereby launching his career. Hank, additionally, invented the "fallopian tuba", a woodwind instrument crafted from a kitchen sink and ABS tubing, that was regularly showcased in the Reverend Ken show.