I wish to give my sincere condolences to the Bateman family.

Les was indeed a special man and I will never forget how he helped me out of a jam many years ago.

It takes a special person to help a total stranger in their hour of need.

It was but a few weeks before Christmas 1980. I remember it well as news of John Lennon’s passing was

all over the news adding to my state of depression at that time, as years of preparations and savings

were about to crumble before my eyes. I had spent all my funds on leasing studio space and buying

equipment to start a 8 track demo studio in Toronto and the individual who had been paid to do the

install had botched the job and left me with a mess where nothing worked and with sessions booked

only weeks away. It was looking like the studio would close before one note was ever recorded.

As luck would have it a friend of mine knew Syd Kessler and arranged a meeting to discuss my dilemma.

Syd asked Les if he would come and assess the situation to see what could be done.

It was my great luck and privilege that Les agreed to meet with me.

It didn’t take Les long to see that a total rework of prior wiring etc. was required.

Les was a great teacher and showed me how to do the job the right way.

He taught me every detail from wire stripping to how to use a soldering iron and how to wire a patch bay and so much more.

For the next two weeks Les came every evening after his regular day job and stayed up all night to six am working to get the job done.

I never believed in Santa Claus but that Christmas Santa Bates delivered the best Christmas present ever.

A very special person indeed. Thank You Les.

Les and I used to joke that we played in competing bands together in our teen years in Saskatoon. He played a Farfisa organ in a band called "Witness" and I played in an early prog-rock band called "The Great Flood". My Mother, an English teacher, was sure that if there were 5 guys in the band, we should be called "The Great Floods". I tried in vain to explain that there was only one Witness and only one Great Flood. I used to love going to hear Les's band because his organ solos were always crazy great and he had great technique and flair. I lost touch with him for many years as I moved to Toronto and then LA for work with Seals and Crofts and Loggins and Messina. I moved back to Canada in 1977 and did a show called "Ninety Minutes Live" with Peter Gzowski.  A few years later I was working with Syd Kessler, Robert Armes and Tony Kosinec and Syd had just bought Sounds Interchange and built all these fabulous studios. My first day in my new office there at 49 Ontario, I was introduced to the guy who was running  all these recording rooms and it was Les Batemen. We had such a great reunion and so much to catch up on and then for years, I saw him pretty well every day with him always solving difficult problems with ease and the confidence that I saw in him in "Witness".

I treasure the memory of such a bright, kind and straight-up guy! I'm sure his soul is soaring in an ocean of light. Kind condolences to Les's family and friends.

There are so many stories and events with and about Les, but this one I have to share....

I was hanging out at his house on Williamson; he told me he was going to take his family for a picnic. They were going to have Lamb. "Lamb ? but how are you going to ...?" He took the leg of Lamb, seasoned it (he was also an excellent cook) added all the vegetables and wrapped it securely in foil. Then he stuck the whole thing in the engine compartment of his Volvo. When they arrived at their destination, Voila ! a perfectly cooked meal.... Classic Bates !

Hello,

The news of Les' passing has hit harder than one might expect for someone who did not know him very well.  I worked at Sounds Interchange from 1993-1998.

I send my condolences from abroad and will take moment on the day of the memorial.

Wishing the many friends and large family all of the strength, love and fond memories to help you during this extremely challenging time.

I remember his voice 🥰. I can hear it now ...

❤️

Lisa