“ How It all Started ”

There was a High Park festival concert in 1968 with a sizable crowd of thousands. Onstage were the time period’s top-notch bands. As described by Subway himself;

“ I was sitting by a tree playing my guitar. At first by myself when slowly more and more people started to gather around. The band Light House was on stage at the time. People called out saying you sound like Elvis. That was a wonderful feeling - the growing inspiration drove me to play-on! The crowd grew larger as more people gathered around shouting ‘we want Elvis’! Suddenly with a rush of energy some people pushed me up on their shoulders as my guitar and I were shuffled to the stage. The band gracefully gave way stating over the mic ‘Elvis, sing us a few songs alright’ I got plugged into the soundboard and began to play on stage. The crowd was filled with pandemonium!

The following daily paper wrote Elvis Steals The Show. Then on July 14,1970 my mother told me I was on the front page of The Toronto Daily Star - the headline stated 'Our Elvis Sings In the subway'. That was basically the beginning of my musical career! "

" Performing "

At the age of fourteen Ronnie Hawkins had him come down to the Nickelodeon where he was so impressed that he let Subway Elvis perform for the night. The Hawk wanted Elvis down there all the time. People came from all around the country to see Ronnie and Subway Elvis perform. The place was packed night after night, with line-ups to get in to the Nickelodeon reaching several blocks. A very special thanks to The Hawk (Ronnie Hawkins) for paving the way - putting Subway Elvis on the map! At the age of 14 he also did the opening for Burton Cummings and the Guess Who at the O'Keefe Center

Subway Elvis has shared the stage with many prominent musicians - meeting Chris Christofferson, Willy Nelson, the Band with Robbie Robertson and more. He performed at Massey Hall, the Maple Leaf Gardens with all the rock-n-roll revival shows and the CNE Bandstand with Chubby Checker and his great danes. He also played a stand-in part as JOHNNY ANGEL in the film American Graffiti with Flash Cadillac And The Continental Kids.

“ King on the Golf Course ”

Winning several tournaments at a young age, Michael McTaggart had a natural talent for golf. At ten years old he played in his first golf tournament and won against some of the greatest golfers in Canada. He went on to win fifteen more golf tournaments and was the first to be awarded as such a young golfer. Over the years Michael helped fellow golfers of all ages aiding them toward a better game. In later years he was featured in a popular golfing magazine as Subway Elvis. Equally talented in both singing and golfing, you might just find him one day at your golf course singing away!

“ Kindness and Compassion ”

Random acts of kindness are seldom mentioned in the media. Surrounded by all this fame and glory he still exercised goodwill toward others. Subway Elvis is a true gentleman - a kind and compassionate soul caring about people and animals alike. His goodwill is still remembered by many and appreciated to this day.

One unknown demonstration of his kind heart was when he gave up a concert at Woodstock to stay by his sick fathers' side. He still has no regrets about missing out on what later became a great historic event.

“ Courts ignore evidence ”

Michael was convicted of crimes he did not commit. The police imagined that while he was performing out of town he had allegedly robbed banks. On several occasions while bank robberies were allegedly committed by him, Michael had proof that he was booked in a hotel and playing on stage nowhere near the crime scenes. On one of those occasions he was even in another province yet the evidence was unconscionably ignored. He was prosecuted and sent to prison for crimes he did not commit. When the true perpetrators of these crimes confessed he was still not released and had to fight for freedom.

Eventually, thanks to the great efforts of the Association In Defense Of The Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC) he won his freedom.

A television documentary for the CBC Witness Series was made. It follows him through some of the stressful stages as he tries to deal with things and put his life back together.

Recovery varies from person to person. When an innocent person experiences the physical and mental trauma of incarceration no doubt permanent scars are made. To add to injury, his performing career had been gaining great popularity as he edged toward celebrity status. For Michael, recovery is further impeded by the loss of his brother and dear mother whom stood by him through the trials and incarceration. Subway Elvis was left torn and damaged for quite some time.

“ Elvis is back ”

Have a special event? Would like to have a great musical performance?

" Armed with the popular CD "The King In Spirit", Subway Elvis has returned! "