Led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh, the Downchild Blues Band is the premier blues band in Canada. The band is still commonly known as the Downchild Blues Band, though the actual band name was shortened to “Downchild” as of the early 1980s. The Downchild Blues Band was formed in Toronto in 1969 and continues to perform today.
The band name came from the Sonny Boy Williamson II song, “Mr. Downchild”. The initial band membership was Donnie (“Mr. Downchild”) Walsh, who remains the sole constant band member, with younger brother Rick “Hock” Walsh on vocals, accompanied by Dave Woodward, Cash Wall, John Tanti and Jim Milne.