The nearly forgotten story of Calgary blues legend Ellen McIlwaine

Director Alfonso Maiorana’s new documentary, “Goddess of Slide,” tells the story of Ellen McIlwaine, a pioneering singer-songwriter and slide guitarist who should have been a household name. Born in Nashville and raised in Japan, Ellen played with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Taj Mahal before ultimately settling down in Calgary where she worked as a school bus driver in the last decade of her life. Now, she’s finally receiving her rightful place in music history. Alfonso joins Tom Power to tell us more about her remarkable life and legacy.

Q with Tom Power logo on painted colour background in earth tones and blues

Q-16x9-2024

Director Alfonso Maiorana's new documentary, 

, tells the story of Ellen&nbsp;McIlwaine, a pioneering singer-songwriter and slide guitarist who should have been a household name.

Canadian slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine is a music legend you probably never heard of

New CBC documentary Goddess of Slide tells the story of singer and songwriter Ellen McIlwaine.

Ellen onstage, her arm is outstretched towards the audience. She is holding a guitar.

Ellen McIlwaine performing at the Dr. Pepper Central Park Music Festival in New York City, on July 22, 1978.

Ellen McIlwaine performing

Born in Nashville and raised in Japan, McIlwaine played with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Taj Mahal before ultimately settling down in Calgary where she worked as a school bus driver in the last decade of her life. Now, she's finally receiving her rightful place in music history. Maiorana joins Tom Power to tell us more about McIlwaine's remarkable life and legacy.

Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine

Interview with Alfonso Maiorana&nbsp;produced by Aajah Sauter.

The nearly forgotten story of Calgary blues legend Ellen McIlwaine

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