Since first stepping in front of MuchMusic’s national cameras in 1992, Bill Welychka h become one of Canada’s most enduring, recognizable and respected television personalities. He is MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic’s longest running VJ. Bill is renowned for his thoughtful interview style and his love and knowledge of a wide range of topics from pop-culture to politics, his reputation has been rewarded by many exclusives and awards.
Bill Welychka has been hearing for decades “You should write a book!” 2023 has been a whirlwind of excitement for Bill as he released his debut memoir, ‘A Happy Has Been: Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists. The book was finally released in August 2023 and is currently being enjoyed by his large number of ardent followers and is available from FriesenPress, Indigo, and most online retailers as a #1 and TOP 10 best-seller, that has been purchased world-wide from as far away as France, Poland, Germany, England throughout the U.S.A. and Canada.
Bill Welychka is proud to announce that his Second Edition memoir has been released as of Spring 2025. In this newest edition, there will be even more stories, more pictures and a recap of the many experiences he had while promoting the first independently published book. There will also be updates on the big changes in his life since the debut book release, and is available here.
Any fan of music (country, pop, rock, rap, metal etc.) will be entertained by his stories of hanging out with many of the industry’s biggest stars. “A Happy Has-Been (Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists)” dives into the many tales of spending time with Madonna (at her house), Mick Jagger, Oasis, AC/DC, Johnny Cash, members of The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Garth Brooks, Prince and dozens of other music legends. Bill writes about his world travels from spending time with the Maasai warriors on the Serengeti to covering the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco six years in a row. Despite a career that had him mobbed at concerts and meeting every single idol he had; Bill also opens up about his battles with depression.
Also, this celebrated media icon shares the important life-lessons he has learned during his blessed life. Bill’s book proudly features a Foreword by The Tragically Hip’s Paul Langlois. PLUS, partial proceeds from A Happy Has Been are being donated to the White Ribbon Campaign.
2023 marked the 35th year of his dedication and insight to both sides of the camera where Bill has over 5,000 interviews under his belt (and growing!) including film and TV stars, royalty, politicians, athletes & innumerable music legends. 90s retro music is back in a big way and the timing of Bill’s debut and sophomore 2nd edition memoir is perfect. Bill has been blessed with a huge following at his successful debut memoir signing appearances running August 2023 to current. Bill’s meet and greets through Ontario brought him to Belleville, Barrie, Burlington, Cambridge, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Mississauga, Newmarket, Ottawa, Peterborough, Richmond Hill, Stratford, Timmins, Toronto, Waterloo, Welland, Windsor, Napanee Writers Forum, 2024 YGK Craft Beer Fest at Fort Henry Kingston, 2024 Howe Island ‘Rockin The Rock’ Music Festival Gananoque, and returned to Toronto’s for the 1st ever NostalgiaCon 2024, just to name but a few.
Bill’s been honored with appearances across Canada on Global News, CTV Morning Live, Rogers TV, CHCH Morning Live, CityTV’s BT Breakfast Television, across Ontario at Cogeco YourTV stations, was interviewed Ontario wide with myFM stations, iHeart Radio programs featuring Jann Arden, interviewed by Tom Jokic of ChumFM fame, and interviewed by MuchMusic Legends Christopher Ward and Rick Campanelli. He appeared as well, on CBC Radio stations Canada-wide & as far away as the Tony LLoyd show in France; moreover, our in depth media campaign continues strongly throughout 2025. Mr. Welychka, also Mc’d The Tragically Hip No Dress Rehearsal Documentary premier release with Q & A held at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts Kingston to which raised $80,000 dollars for The United Way. As well, Bill made appearances across Canada as part of the documentary entitled ‘299 Queen Street West’ produced by Shawn Menard, making several appearances along its sold-out Premier Canadian Tour from September to November of 2023.
STILL ALIVE IN KINGSTON a Happy Kid Production was released on March 2, 2025, 12pm at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival-KCFF25 held at the Kingston Grand Theatre, which is a film that was loosely based on Bill Welychka’s life and career written and directed by Kingston film writer-director Jay Middaugh. The leading man Bill Welychka had a very good time blurring the lines between fact and fiction in this “non-canonical sequel” to the much-loved movie that made a big splash at KCFF17. Showing off his comedy chops in a role based loosely on himself, Welychka stars as an entertainment journalist who’s feeling down on his luck when he gets a chance to achieve the national prominence he once enjoyed. But in the course of creating his demo reel – which also serves as a showcase for some of Kingston’s most exceptional musical talent, including The Wilderness, Keaton, Luella and Miss Emily – Bill’s meetings and misadventures help him to escape his inertia and truly find his place in his new community. As a warm and funny tribute to Kingston and the people who provide it with so much richness and texture, this follow-up will no doubt be another hearty hometown welcome as a world premiere at KCFF25! This film has plans to travel to film festivals across the world with Q & A to follow the release.
