On the anniversary of Bates passing I sit in one of the studios that was once of his making. 2026 will be the end of the Sounds Interchange building.
All things must pass.
I know but it ain’t easy.
Peace
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2022, Toronto, ON, Canada
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I was saddened to hear of Les’s passing. I hadn’t seen him for maybe 50 years but we were still in touch on FB. RIP cousin.
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A huge & loving
THANK YOU to Les’s children & grandchildren for a wonderful celebration! Exactly what he would want… well done & very much appreciated! Love to all of you, Gerry
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O my gosh Cat thank you for sharing this wonderful slide show. Your dad was a true character. We have so many wonderful memories growing up with the Batemans Pages Soulsby’s and my family the Reilly’s. Les was always laughing. Playing In The Mood On the family organ and taking that beautiful organ apart!! We followed his career from home in Regina and so admired his talent. Big hugs to all his children. Grandchildren and siblings. Much love cousin Jean
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I met Les Bateman-' Bates'- while working as a freelance recording engineer at Berryman studios. 1980ish
Premiere Bill Davis was running- what would be- his last re election campaign... “Come on People Help Keep The Promise”. Berryman studios were on 24 hour alert as new commercials were created, and others revised on an hourly basis. We had plenty of time to hang out. Les's easy going personality and great sense of humour made a big impression on me. He was always one step ahead of the chaos around us. How did he manage that?
My favourite Bate's story took place at Sounds Interchange- 1981?- where I found myself working as a freelance engineer on a Swiss Chalet campaign.... “Always So Much For So Little”. The session was booked for an 8:30 am start in studio 3. I entered the building and headed directly to studio 3. I didn't bother to turn up the lights in the control room because I always setup the mics and headphones in the booth first.
When I began my control room setup I only turned up the first bank of lights over the console. While I was bent down in front of the tape machine checking the alignment I heard a growling sound from the back of the room. As I slowly turned up the lights in the room and I could make out 'something' moving on the couch. Suddenly Les sat up. He was wrapped up in a curtain(?)- complete with drapery hooks stuck in his hair. He paused for a moment blinked his eyes once or twice and remarked... “sorry I must have fallen asleep” and then stood up and walked out of the room still wrapped in the curtain. I still laugh about it to this day. A real 'Bate's' moment.
I always thought of Les as a real leader, and the older brother I never had. Always generous with both his time and encyclopedic knowledge. A force of nature. I'm just lucky I was there. RIP Les. Condolences to the family.
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Thinking of all my Bateman families today as you recall many memories of my cousin Les.
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A good friend who will be missed. Thanks for the memories.
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1990, Toronto, ON, Canada
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I met Les not long after I started at Studer Canada in Aug 1984, and we stayed in touch up to the time of his death. Lovely man. Very intelligent. I did a lot of business with Les over the years, and it was always a pleasant process. I will miss him greatly. My deepest condolances to his family.
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I am so sorry... mostly, for Les's family's loss, but also for the loss of so many people who loved Les. All people are Special... but Les was exceptionally special, to so many people. He will be dearly missed by his family, that he has always spoken so lovingly of, and by the many friends he has made through his life journey. Les put a big part of his heart into everything he did. I am very sorry that I will not be able to attend his celebration of an exceptional life.
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1969, Edmonton, AB, Canada
This is how I remember Les. I worked with Les Bateman at Harmony kids in the 1960's watching him build his Wire equipment. He taught me a lot about patience and will forever remember how talented he was. Rest in peace my long time friend...!
— with
Les Bateman
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2011, Rodney’s Oyster House, King Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada
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When I first started working with Les in 1990, we were in the throes of completing the new Studios at Sounds Interchange. Less had swung an amazing deal with SSL to purchase four SSL 4K Consoles, and we were configuring them for multichannel IMAX sound mixing, when we came to the stark realization that in their original configuration, they wouldn't be able to handle the track load. Under Les' guidance, the team of Dan Sheehy, Roger Ginsley, Blair Smith and several others, re-wired each one of 64 channel strips in order to accommodate 128 channels of audio. The redesign was so successful, SSL used it to create an entirely new console, the SSL 8K. But even so, none of the latter desks had a monitor control like Les had originally ordered from SSL.... Ours went to 11!!!! And they were the only ones that ever did. They stand as a testament to Les always pushing the envelope in the right direction.
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1979, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Christmas
— with
Bob Ego and Les Bateman
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2002, Anaheim, California, USA
NAMM International Music Market
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2002, Anaheim, California, USA
NAMM International Music Market
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RIP Les (Dr. Bates)
My deepest condolences to his family
I've known Les my whole life; he has been a father figure, friend and mentor.
I will genuinely miss our adventures, his teachings and our good conversations; these moments and memories in time are infinitely timeless.
There will never be a day that I won't forget and cherish everything you have done for me in my life.
Wherever you are today, please take a minute and raise a glass for Bates!
There are no goodbyes; wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.
PJ
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so sorry to see soooo many of us struggling or even fading away. We grew up with Les and Peter Shanky. We had no idea that these years would be some of the best years of our lives as they were. So sorry to see you gone my Brother but happy because you are in a much better place. Both you and your exceptional talent shall be missed forever. We will all be together at some point in the future.
Nucleus and A Foot in Coldwater............ Bob Horne
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Another great friend of ours passed yesterday....Played in Witness Inc , from Saskatoon ...moved to TO. redesigned Sounds Interchange.. among many other achievements.. .Lately, he's been working with Drake...Wonderfully talented man.. Our sincere condolences to his legion of friends and family...RIP our Brother...
AFIC
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