Please note: this timeline has been constructed from various sources and may very well contain incorrect information. So don't be betting big money on it.

Late 1980s:
A tall reggae, blues, and hard rock fanatic named Gordie Johnson is doing his thing with Toronto and Windsor bands such as The Tex-Styles, The Red Rockets, and the Windsor Dukes (where a white haired hipster named Kelly Hoppe is also doing his thing).

Late 1980s/Early 1990s
One night at a bar, Gordie is discussing a new band with friends Patrick Ballantyne, Al Cross, and Andrew Whiteman. Another friend named Harry Doupe is playing with a packet of sugar and mumbles something about "big sugar".

1991
Big Sugar is born, with Gordie on guitar and vocals, Terry Wilkins on bass, and Al Cross on drums. Friends from the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir make up the rest of the floating roster.

1992
Big Sugar's self-titled debut album, recorded live in the studio, is released. A laid back mix of blues, jazz, swing, with a bit of rock & roll, it makes a stylish splash.

1993
Big Sugar's second album, the heavy 500 Pounds is released. The raucous opening chords of "Drive Like Hell" leave no doubt that the hard rock influence is making its presence felt on the band from now on.

1994
With a growing base of fans, Big Sugar takes to the road on extensive tours. Personnel come and go; an important addition to the line-up is Kelly "Mr. Chill" Hoppe, who brings an extensive bag of tricks to the band. Stitch Wynston - who enjoyed 15 minutes of fame with the Shuffle Demons - gets behind the drum kit.

1995
Tragedy strikes when part-time Big Sugar drummer Walter "Crash" Morgan dies on stage in Iowa. The band will later dedicate Hemi Vision to Morgan. With no new album in the works due to touring, Big Sugar satisfies with two mighty mini-albums, Dear MF and Ride Like Hell. Almost out of the blue, the Big Sugar sound has a new element: dub. Inspired by the original Jamaican rumbles, the Ride Like Hell CD features two amazing dub mixes of "I'm A Ram"; Dear MF has a live dub epic named "Leadbelly".

1996
After years of semi-permanent line-ups, Big Sugar finally nails down a roster: Gordie Johnson, Kelly Hoppe, and - wanting to import a more Jamaican sound into the band - Gordie recruits Truths & Rights man Garry Lowe on bass. Paul Brennan, ex-drummer for The Odds, pounds the skins for the band's third album, Hemi Vision.

1997
"Diggin' A Hole" becomes a top 10 hit in Canada. Gordie and Kelly start to make appearances with acoustic instruments at record stores and radio stations. Over the next few years, this duo (nicknamed "Little Sugar") will perform across Canada at a wide variety of venues.

1997
Despite Gordie's best efforts, the revolving door of Big Sugar drummers keeps turning: Paul Brennan leaves the band. Gavin "Griswald" Brown takes his place.

1998
The band releases Heated, which gives them their biggest hits to date, "The Scene" and the reggae groover "Turn The Lights On". Gavin keeps the drummer door spinning and leaves Big Sugar. He is replaced by Marks Lockhart, who tours with the band but does not record. Another important addition to the live Big Sugar sound is Jeffrey Holdip, a veteran engineer who makes the band's live reggae sound more powerful. Big Sugar are nominated for a Juno Award for Best Band but lose to Our Lady Peace.

1999
With Al Cross on drums, Big Sugar performs a series of "invitation only" gigs sponsored by Pepsi and Molson as well as local radio stations all across Canada. Often more than 90 minutes long, the high volume shows are nothing short of amazing. In July, the band releases Chauffé À Bloc, a five song CD sung in French and designed for their Quebecois fans. "Little Sugar" - Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe unplugged - play at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Acoustic versions of Big Sugar songs and blues standards get belted out on guitar, harmonica, and banjo before an enthusiastic 50,000 strong crowd.

1999/2000
Edmonton is chosen for Big Sugar's last gig of the 20th century. On New Year's Eve the band take the stage with a rocking version of "Auld Lang Syne". The show features an eclectic playlist, covering all of the band's albums as well as surprises like the roots reggae classic "Satta Massagana".

2000
What started out as a behind the scenes, just for fun project turns into the amazing Alkaline: Extra Long Life - Big Sugar in dub. The mysterious Alkaline, responsible for the dub mixes on Ride Like Hell and elsewhere, turns out to be none other than Gordie Johnson. Along with a horn section, soundboard wizard Jeffrey Holdip, and Toronto toaster Whitey Don, Alkaline the band does a series of unforgettable gigs across Canada.

2001
Big Sugar release what will be their last album: Brothers and Sisters, Are You Ready?. The album is notable due to the fact that it was simultaneously released in both English and French versions. Gordie's long time friend and Canadian reggae legend Mojah joins the band, and original drummer Al Cross returns. Mick Sleeper achieves his 15 seconds of fame by being sampled on "We Could Live".

2002
The rumours start: Big Sugar might be splitting up. Gordie and the band are tight-lipped about things, but with all of the band members being involved in other projects, it seems like a good idea to call it quits before Big Sugar turns into a "paint by numbers" band. Gordie is also feeling frustrated at interference from record company suits and hints at heading in a new direction. Eric "Speedstick" Paul plays drums for the band's final Canadian tour.

2003
Big Sugar finally makes their split official. A greatest hits collection, Hit And Run, is released and features a CD of the band's blistering live performances. For their final gig, the vote is unanimous: Edmonton. On December 31, 2003 the band plays a marathon final show at the Shaw Conference Centre and takes their last bow.

2004
Mojah and Garry resurrect their 1980s reggae combo Truths And Rights and release an album, Live Up, co-produced by Gordie and mixed by Jeffrey Holdip. Kelly swings with Train 45, a country/bluegrass band. Gordie grows a beard and moves to Texas. His new band, Grady, is a stripped-down, junkyard dog version of Big Sugar featuring Big Ben Richardson on bass and Chris "Whip" Layton on drums. They independently release an album, YU So Shady, which features high-powered versions of Big Sugar songs such as "Hammer In My Hand" and "Ride Like Hell".

2005
Kelly forms a new band, Mr. Chill And The Witnesses, and release an album, Mr. Chill's Cold Testament, co-produced by Gordie and Patrick Ballentyne. Truths And Rights continue to perform. Grady continue to make a buzz in Texas, re-release YU So Shady and tour Canada to enthusiastic crowds. Mick Sleeper spends a weekend listening to Big Sugar, has a few beers, and makes the final updates to Sugar Vision. Anything more you willl have to read about in the funny papers...