Billy Van Museum & Book
1576 King Street East L8K1T2 Hamilton, ON, Canada

The podcast Gallantski and Friends just dropped where Greg Oliver was the guest. They talk mainly about Who's The Man? Billy Van!, but also a little about Greg's wrestling writing. Check it out here: https://www.buzzsprout.com//7568251-ep12-billy-van-slam-gu

It was great fun hanging out with Kingdom James / Anthony Ruttgaizer on his Handsome Genius Club podcast. We talked about the Billy Van book -- Who's The Man? Billy Van! -- and hockey and wrestling too. Listen here: https://ruttgaizer.com//monday-25-january-2021-interview-/

Nice story about our book "Who's The Man? Billy Van!" in today's Hamilton Spectator newspaper (Jan. 21). Stacey Case talks with Graham Rockingham about the book and how it came together. It's online too: https://www.thespec.com//new-billy-van-biography-shows-he-

Here's the audio of my appearance on Canada Now with Jeff Sammut on the SiriusXM Canada Talks channel on Tues. Jan. 19, 2021, to talk about my new book, "Who's The Man? Billy Van!" Enjoy the 14-minute chat and don't forget to get your copy of the book at www.billyvan.ca! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWb4tyAMxb0&feature=youtu.be

Nice little write-up about Billy Van and the book, "Who's The Man? Billy Van!" at Lizzie Violet's blog page (to clarify, Billy Van himself didn't sing on the Spider-Man theme song, but his wife and sister-in-law were among the singers): https://lizzieviolet.com//queen-of-schlock-oh-canada-bill/

We are long overdue for an update. The pandemic prevented us from getting some of the photos we needed to scan to use in the book, but we did recently. We are hunting for more photos now, and the CBC just sent in a boatload to choose from, and the first photo we purchased for usage in the book is one of Billy Van singing at the Canadian National Exhibition. Layout has begun. If everything works out -- no guarantee these days -- the book could be out by the end of the year. Rich benefactors get in touch if you want to help us pay for lots more Billy Van photos!

Biographies rely so much on the generosity of other people, taking time out of their lives to share their stories, memories and personal lives. My biography on ...Billy Van is at a bit of a standstill because of COVID-19. One of the key people for it was Bonnie Brooks, who just passed away. She was not only on the groundbreaking CBC show Nightcap with Billy Van, she was also Billy's sister-in-law, since her sister, Patty, was Billy's second wife. She did a TON of things through the years, and was always happy to answer my questions. Rest in peace, Bonnie. Thanks for the time. See more

Since we all have way too much time on our hands, here's a challenge. What is Billy Van's tie-in to Kenny Rogers, who died on Friday? There is a very concrete one, and a reason I tried to talk to Kenny for the book: https://variety.com//n/kenny-rogers-dead-dies-1203541233/

Just a few days away! Gonna be a real fun time!

Is it true? Is Hamilton getting a Billy Van popup before the holidays? Stay tuned, true believers!Is it true? Is Hamilton getting a Billy Van popup before the holidays? Stay tuned, true believers!

While Billy Van did not serve during the Second World War, two of his brothers saw service and one joined the navy as the war ended. Thank you to Elliott, Warren, and Jack Van Evera for their service to Canada, and to all those who served and continue to do so.

Greg Oliver will be at CollectiCon: Hamilton Toy & Collectible Show, at Michelangelo's Banquet Hall, 1555 Upper Ottawa, in Hamilton, on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14, 9:30-2:30 p.m. He'll have some Frightenstein Fiend Club t-shirts, Frightenstein postcards, and his own hockey and wrestling books. Come talk about Billy Van and the book coming next year!

Greg Oliver at the BVM&B table in Kensington Market

Packed up for todays popup in Toronto! Noon to 4 pm in Kensington Market, in front of Model Citizen, 279 Augusta!

What a turnout to the Sudbury popup! So nice to talk to so many Billy Van fans! You guys are the greatest! Thank you!!!!!

Ive landed! Have had such a great time so far, cant wait to meet you Sudbury! 5-8 pm TODAY at the Townehouse!

SUDBURY Billy Van Museum & Book popup confirmed! ONE NIGHT ONLY - Tuesday Sept. 3, from 5-8 pm at the Townehouse! Great merchandise for sale! See you there!

Huge news SUDBURY Billy Van fans! Just confirmed - a Billy Van Museum & Book popup at the Townehouse, on Tuesday Sept. 3, from 5-8 pm! Event listing being created soon! The poster is designed! Ha ha Im going camping there for five days and I know there are fans, so Ill come to them! Cant wait to meet you all! Nick, Ill bring your Frightenstein Fiend Club shirts! Lots of merch for sale! Im even reprinting the Dont Come Alone comic book from the 2004 Frightenstein Fest I held in Toronto! See you soon SUDBURY!

Over 800,000 views of our little museum in a year! For reservations check out www.billyvan.ca or send an email to [email protected]

Is it true? Are Greg and I going to be set up outside 279 Augusta on Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market from noon to 5? YES! Advertising the Billy Van Museum and talking up our book! The original Frightenstein Fiend Club shirts will be for sale! Plus sweet postcards, pins and more! See you there, and dont...come...alone! Official invite to follow!

5 pm booking for the museum! Don't forget, three days a week, reservations only. Message here or via www.billyvan.ca thanks!

Update from Mitch Markowitz on HHOF on Crave, from his Twitter feed: "Hilarious House of Frightenstein streaming situation UPDATE. All 130 episodes had been 'close captioned' 4 the hearing impaired aprox.10 years ago. In 2013 the CRTC changed the requirements & the good folks @ Bell Media's Crave TV R updating them 2 comply by/or before end of June"

From Mitch Markowitz's Twitter: @IMTVSSUPERHIPPY Good news 4 Hilarious House of Frightenstein fans. As I mentioned on my buddy Dave @stick2thestory Bennisons LONG STORY SHORT radio show Ive licensed Bell Medias Crave TV the rights 2 stream all 130 HHOF episodes. They have scheduled them 2B avail. effective April 19th ENJOY!!... (For those who don't know, Crave is a Canadian streaming service.)

Howdy from the BVM! Just wanted to let you know (as we all come out of hibernation) that we're looking forward to seeing you - contact us to arrange a reservation! Tuesday and Thursdays 8 and 9 pm, and Sundays 4 and 5 pm (contact for alternates). Visit Hamilton! Have a pint at Buddy's down the street! We're at 1576 King Street East, a few blocks east Of Ottawa. [email protected] for more info!

Greg here. I completed one of the key interviews this week for the Billy Van book, a lengthy talk with his stepson, Jamie, who was the son of Billy's third wife. (We may have to create a chart to keep track of marriages!) Jamie, his mom and Billy all living together in Hollywood when Billy was on Sonny and Cher. His perspective is most welcome in the book, an honest voice who knew Billy away from the set.

Greg here. I just finished an interview with Patricia Collins, a veteran of the Stratford Festival stage. She and Billy co-starred in a 1971 CBC movie called Wife & Man. It was interesting hearing her talk about his insecurities switching from comedy to drama. ... so it's just a reminder that this book will be about far more than just Frightenstein.

We are hoping that this is the first of many stories to come on the Billy Van biography and the Billy Van Museum. https://spokeonline.com///bringing-billy-van-back-to-life/

4 pm Sunday booking at the Museum! Contact us for your reservation here or via our website!

Hey Hamilton! Stacey will be on City Matters this Monday between 4 and 5 pm, on Cable 14! Chatting about the museum, our book, and all things Billy Van! Tune in, won't you?

Happy birthday to Stacey Case, the man behind the Billy Van Museum.

Hi everyone. Greg Oliver here. I wanted to share a quote I got for the book from actress Lynne Griffin, who worked with Billy Van on a TVO show called How Do You Do? promoting English as a second language, (You probably know her from the stage, or from the movies Black Christmas or Strange Brew.) Her words, which are excellent at this time, as Stacey Case has been dealing with some personal things, are appropriate on every level: "God bless Stacey Case for creating the museum, and saying, 'Look what we had, and we never really acknowledged the scope of his work and the depth of his work.'"

Another name from Billy Van's past is gone. Bob Einstein was a writer on Sonny & Cher, and later was one of the producers and writers on Bizarre, which used Billy all the time. Rest in peace. http://www.tmz.com//bob-einstein-dead-curb-your-enthusia/

It's almost time for the holidays! Thanks to everyone that attended the Toronto popup - so many people! So great to see old friends and make new ones. We're looking forward to a productive and fun new year for our museum and book. Hey Sunday Dec.29, 4 pm and 5 pm, is available for museum reservations. 4 people max per booking. Drop us a line and we'll hook you up! Merry Christmas!

This'll be fun! See you Saturday!

We'd like to note the passing of Ken Berry. He was on our list to interview, but was not in good health for some time. Billy Van was on The Ken Berry Wow Show, prior to landing a gig on Sonny & Cher. https://variety.com//ken-berry-dead-dies-f-troop-mayberry/

Yesss! A friend who owns a bar in the middle of Kensington market is letting me set up a Billy Van Museum popup in her joint! Mark the date - Sat. Dec. 15 - at Thirsty & Miserable, one of Anthony Bourdain's fave Toronto drinking holes! 2 to 5 pm! I'll make an event for it soon! Who needs a Frightenstein Fiend Club shirt?

Thanks to the early gift shoppers! Gift shop open again Sunday 4 pm to 6 pm!

Billy Van Museum gift shop open tonite! 8-10 pm! Shirts, postcards, pins and more! Cash only, free parking out front! Help us raise funds for our book!