David Cliff is a Kingston-based singer, guitarist and songwriter, a member of RetroKings, and has been creating, writing and performing music for many years. RetroKings bring together experienced Kingston musicians with a shared love of classic rock, folk-rock, strong vocal harmonies and original songwriting; the band’s first album, The Shed Project, was released in 2025. 

David also released his own album, Closer to the End, in 2025, showing a more personal songwriting side—including songs that tackle subjects considerably heavier than the typical bar-band setlist. He also teaches guitar in Kingston, which gives him the unusual perspective of being both the guy trying to nail the perfect chord and the guy explaining to someone else why they keep missing it. Catch them Friday, August 28, 2026 from 5 to 8 pm on The Cove Inn patio. Details and reservations here. Don’t leave us, summer!

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Seamus Cowan: You’ve spent years playing, writing, recording and performing—and now you’re also teaching guitar. What’s the one piece of guitar advice you give your students that you secretly wish someone had yelled at you 30 years ago?

David: Practice, practice, practice. Especially with someone better than you.

Q: RetroKings have a pretty serious affection for the great classic-rock and folk-rock bands. If you could magically add one legendary musician to RetroKings for a single gig, who are you hiring—and, more importantly, what job are you not letting them do?

David:  My cousin is a member and lead guitarist of “Broken Social Scene", the indie band but with folk/rock roots out of Toronto. However; I would not let him play guitar. He has a new publishing “record company” in Montreal. So, I may ask him and his wife from La Force for some “family support” to attend the show up with industry partners to help move forward our song material for a record deal, and a family dinner at the Cove Inn!

Tim Aylesworth: It would be great to have Ozzy Osbourne in the band, but I wouldn't let him look after my pet bat.

Graham Topp: A legendary musician I would add has to be John Lennon. He would play all his Beatles hits, probably ruining our set. The job I would not allow him to do would be getting the beers during the gig.

John Stevenhaagen: I would have hired Buddy Rich to play a one-nighter with RetroKings. I consider him to be the hands-down best drummer in the world for the duration of his career. However, I would not allow him to select or influence the bands stage clothing as his normal performance attire leaned towards a more formal look which, at 72 years of age, I would find a bit too restrictive for my drumming duties in the band.
Graham: I’ve tried to do Yes’ “Mood For a Day” through the years. I can get through some of it, but then it collapses like a house of cards. Same goes with my version of Joplin’s “The Entertainer”.

Q: Every guitarist has that one song that makes them think, “Oh yeah, I can play guitar!” What’s yours—and what’s the song that immediately knocks you back down to earth and reminds you that, actually, you still have some work to do?

David: When I was young my guitar & social justice hero was Bruce Cockburn. I could play a few of his songs like “Tokyo”. I would say ANY of his songs on his 2005 album “Speechless” humbles me!

Tim: I loved The Knack and listened to that first record over and over when I was a teenager. It wasn't until later when I tried to play the extended "My Sharona" solo that I realized what an amazing guitarist Berton Averre is. I've never mastered that solo. I also tried to drum along to that record, another impossibility! Those guys were top flight musicians.
Graham: Like I said above, I’ve tried to do Yes’ “Mood For a Day”...

John: When I played guitar in my youth, my idol was Carlos Santana. I spent hours trying to learn the guitar solo intro to Black Magic Woman. I was very proud and considered myself a real player when I finally got close to his version. Then along came Eric Clapton who put me right back in my place when I couldn't quite personally endorse my replicated version of the classic solo he did on his song Crossroads.

Q: Your songwriting can move from the fun, harmony-driven spirit of RetroKings to much more serious subjects. When you’re writing a song, do you usually start with a musical idea, a lyric, a story—or some completely unrelated thought that suddenly refuses to leave you alone?

David: It depends. When a melody (or hook) develops in my head, it tends to happen in the morning and/or late at night. Apparently, when your mind is clearer, one is more receptive to musical thoughts. I then try to “build it out” through testing arrangements, bridge transitions and various instrument ideas. Hopefully if it works, it compliments the song's mood, lyrics and story. I’m ultimately aiming for the musical score and the lyrics to fit together “like a glove.” If it makes the grade, then I take it to the band and/or recording studio.

Q: Imagine someone hands you a guitar backstage tonight and says, “David, you can only play three songs for the rest of your life.” No explanations, no audience requests, no cheating. What are the three—and what do those choices reveal about you that people might not expect?

David: Well, I guess it depends too what guitar they hand me. I enjoy acoustic guitar, classical and electric instruments. Each instrument has its own voice, inspiration and power. I too have a booking agency business called "Guestbook Enterprises", so I tend to know most of the regional entertainment outlets and so have a good idea of whom my audience and/or event will likely be. As an example;  I would play “Boomer Songs” to a boomer audiences. Seniors residences likely more vintage, older songs. At a Casino, I would play "classic rock" dance songs. But if I had my own personal choice…Acoustic guitar:  “Voyaguer” off my recent song collection. Classical Guitar: Moonlight Sonata (first movement) and Fur Elise, by Ludwig Von Beethoven, if I could play it. Electric Jazz Guitar: Mean to me by Lenny Breau. I have the rest of my life to learn # 2 and 3 properly, right!

Posted: Aug 26, 2026