Ludwig, Frank

Websites:  https://citizenfreak.com/playlists/414-round-round-with-frank-ludwig, https://www.frankludwig.ca/
Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Frank Ludwig is a Canadian keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with the platinum-selling rock band Trooper during their most commercially successful years in the 1970s. With a career spanning over five decades, Ludwig’s contributions to Canadian music stretch across multiple genres and roles—from front-stage performer to behind-the-scenes composer and producer.

Originally from British Columbia, Ludwig first gained attention as a founding member of the Vancouver-area band Self Portrait in the late 1960s. A classically trained musician and music student at the University of British Columbia, he performed on keyboards, keyboard bass, and woodwinds while helping shape the group’s inventive blend of garage rock and psych-pop. The band released one single on Rumble Records in 1968: “He’s a Man” b/w “Carnival Worker,” now a prized collector’s item. Ludwig’s earliest recordings also showcased his developing skills on oboe and English horn.

After Self Portrait disbanded, Ludwig joined Toronto-based theatrical rock outfit Brutus, contributing keyboards, vocals, and original compositions. He was featured on their hard-hitting 1975 single “Ooh Mama Mama,” which became a fan favourite and charted in regional markets. During this period, he honed his stagecraft and songwriting under the mentorship of frontman Walter Zwolinski and producer Jack Richardson.

In 1975, Ludwig joined Trooper, just as the band was recording their breakthrough album Two for the Show with producer Randy Bachman. His tenure with Trooper marked a career high, as he played keyboards and sang lead or co-lead vocals on many of the band’s biggest hits, including:

“Round, Round We Go” (written by Ludwig)

“Back to You”

“Quiet Desperation”

“Mr. Big”

“It’s a Fine Mess (You’ve Gotten Us Into)”

He also performed shared vocals on tracks like “Gypsy Wheeler” and “The Moment That It Takes.” Ludwig was integral to the band’s albums Knock ’Em Dead Kid (1977), Thick as Thieves (1978), Hot Shots (1979), and Flying Colours (1979). He received a Juno Award nomination for Best Keyboardist and was part of Trooper’s 1979 win for Group of the Year.

Following his departure from Trooper in 1979, Ludwig joined Randy Bachman’s post-BTO project Ironhorse, replacing Tom Sparks as lead vocalist and keyboardist. He performed on their second album, Everything Is Grey (1980), which included the Billboard-charting single “What’s Your Hurry Darlin’,” co-written by Bachman and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. Ludwig’s work on the album helped shape its more melodic, pop-oriented sound.

Ironhorse evolved into the short-lived trio Union, with CF Turner joining the fold. Their 1981 album On Strike featured several Ludwig compositions, including “Next Stop London,” “Care of Me,” and the ballad “Invitation.” Despite the group’s pedigree, Union disbanded after one album.

Outside of band projects, Ludwig has written and recorded dozens of solo songs—some unreleased demos with Randy Bachman surfaced in 2013 and were tentatively compiled under the title Later Than Never. His solo material reveals a thoughtful songwriter with influences ranging from the Beatles and Little River Band to classic soul and West Coast pop.

Ludwig also became a sought-after session player and commercial composer. He notably co-wrote the theme for the long-running CBC television series The Urban Peasant, showcasing his versatility and flair for mood-driven scoring. He later founded Studio 1200 with Paul MacDonald, producing music for advertising, political campaigns, and television.

Frank Ludwig remains a respected and versatile figure in Canadian music history—an accomplished performer, understated hitmaker, and behind-the-scenes craftsman whose work continues to resonate across decades of rock and pop evolution.
-Robert Williston