Brent Fitz, a renowned drummer hailing from Winnipeg, was recently honored by having a section of the street in the St. James area named after him. The portion of Bellavista Crescent, now known as Brent Fitz Way, holds special significance for Fitz as it is where he grew up and developed his musical talents. Despite his busy music career that has taken him around the world performing alongside big names like Slash and Alice Cooper, Fitz still finds time to return to his childhood neighborhood for inspiration.
Reflecting on his roots, Fitz attributes much of his success to the lessons learned from his upbringing in the area. Mayor Scott Gillingham praised Fitz as an inspiration to young aspiring musicians, highlighting his journey from a St. James kid to a respected figure in the rock music scene. Fitz expressed gratitude to his family and music teacher for nurturing his passion for music and credited Winnipeg for shaping him into the artist he is today.
The honorary naming of the street came as a surprise to Fitz, who was informed about the proposal by Mayor Gillingham following a performance with Triumph. Embracing the recognition, Fitz humbly acknowledged the city’s role in molding him and expressed his love for Winnipeg. He emphasized the importance of the people and experiences in the city that have contributed to his growth as an artist. Fitz, known for his work with bands like Streetheart and Toque, continues to carry the lessons from his upbringing as he pursues his musical endeavors.