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Diamond In The Rough was a late-1980s Canadian pop-rock project conceived and driven by keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Lewis Nitikman, emerging at a moment when Canadian AOR and keyboard-forward rock were crossing into a more polished, international sound.

The origins of the project trace back to Nitikman’s formative years. As a teenager, a defining musical turning point came when he first heard Elton John’s Caribou. At a time when keyboard players were often dismissed as secondary figures in rock, Elton John’s blend of piano, swagger, and mainstream success reshaped Nitikman’s ambitions entirely. Music shifted from passion to purpose.

By the early 1980s, Nitikman had already entered Canada’s professional rock circuit, joining Stonebolt in 1981 after replacing keyboardist John Webster. Stonebolt—originally formed in Vancouver in 1969 under the name Perth Amboy before adopting their better-known moniker in 1973—had achieved international success, including a U.S. Top 30 hit with “I Will Still Love You.” Touring, recording, and industry exposure with Stonebolt provided Nitikman with firsthand experience in both the creative and commercial realities of rock music.

While still active with the band, Nitikman increasingly gravitated toward songwriting and production. Determined to expand his musical vocabulary, he applied to elite music institutions in London, New York, and Boston, ultimately enrolling at Berklee College of Music. After completing his studies and returning to Vancouver, Nitikman set out to realize a long-planned goal: creating his own album from the ground up.

That vision became Diamond In The Rough.

The first step was finding the right vocalist. Introduced through industry connections, Nitikman met David “Bucky” Buckthorp, whose range, control, and musicality immediately stood out. Their collaboration quickly became the creative core of the project, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to high standards. Nitikman wrote or co-wrote the majority of the material, shaping a collection of songs that blended melodic pop sensibility with rock confidence.

Financed through a combination of a FACTOR grant and substantial personal investment by Nitikman and Buckthorp, the project was anything but casual. Recording sessions took place at Ocean Sound Studio in Vancouver and Metalworks Studios in Toronto, with longtime collaborator Howard “The Rizz” Rissin engineering. Nitikman co-produced the album with Mike Rheault, assembling a formidable cast of Vancouver-based musicians including guitarist Scotty Hall, bassist Tom Christiansen, drummer Phil Robertson, and guitarist Ray Roper.

The album also featured notable guest appearances, most famously Rik Emmett of Triumph, who contributed a guitar solo to the opening track “Walk On The Wire” after a spontaneous in-studio invitation.

Musically, Diamond In The Rough occupied a space that resonated with fans of polished late-’80s pop-rock. Comparisons to Level 42, Toto, Supertramp, and even the more sophisticated AOR edge of Spandau Ballet were inevitable, particularly given the album’s emphasis on groove-driven bass lines, layered keyboards, and meticulously arranged hooks.

Released in 1988 on Virgin Records Canada, the album produced several successful singles, most notably “Where Is Love,” which became a major Canadian radio hit and one of the most played songs of its era. Additional singles including “I Wish There Was A Way” and “Ain’t Good Lovin’” further cemented the album’s profile, with Diamond In The Rough reportedly selling between 50,000 and 60,000 copies domestically.

Despite its success, the project was never intended as a conventional touring band. Limited live appearances—including a large one-off Vancouver performance—underscored the studio-focused nature of the album. Industry shifts, including the departure of key label support at Virgin, ultimately curtailed further development under the Diamond In The Rough name.

In the years that followed, Nitikman relocated to Sheffield, England, where he went on to build a successful international career, including a long-running collaboration with singer-songwriter John Reilly. The album itself, however, has continued to attract renewed interest as a high-water mark of Canadian late-1980s melodic rock—an expertly crafted project that stands as a testament to Nitikman’s vision as a songwriter, keyboardist, and producer.
-Robert Williston

Musicians
David “Bucky” Buckthorp: lead vocals
Troy Reid: lead vocals
Lewis Nitikman: keyboards
Kim Kayzer: guitars
Ray Roper: guitars
R. Marsland: guitars
Scotty Hall: guitars
Rik Emmett: guitars
Tom Christainsen: bass
Phil Robertson: drums
Daryl Burgess: drums
G. Eyre: drums
Tom Keenlyside: saxophone

Additional drum programming
Neil James
Warren Stanker
Joni Bye
Gerry Williams
Corey Hall
Lew Williams
Vivienne Williams
Coler Phillips
Shawn Jackson

Production
Produced by Mike Rheault and Lewis Nitikman
Engineered by Howard “The Rizz” Rissin
Recorded by Matt Singh and Mike Goslin at Ocean Sound Studio, Vancouver, British Columbia and Metalworks Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Mixed at Morris Sparky
Direction by The Audio Rays

Artwork
Photo by Deep Lippinc Well
Make-up by Patricia King
Design by Riff Raff and St. Schindip-Bilkenroth

Courtesy of Cliff Jones for Rock Headquarters
668 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 4A4

Songwriting

‘Walk On The Wire’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, Neil James, D. Wills
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs

‘Where Is Love’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, David Buckthorpe
Published by SBK High Songs, Big Ed Music, Lewis Songs

‘Ain’t Good Lovin’’
Written by Neil James
Published by Pentarch Music, HVO Music, Marianne Music

‘I Wish There Was A Way’
Published by SBK High Songs, Big Ed Music, Lewis Songs

‘When It’s All Said And Done’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, David Buckthorpe, Mike Rheault
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs, Big Ed Music, Pentachord

‘Stand And Deliver’
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs, Big Ed Music

‘Sultry Lady’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, David Buckthorpe, Mike Rheault, J. Neill, G. Eyre
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs, Pentachord, Le Tunes, Procan

‘Run From The Dark’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, D. Wills, Rik Kayzer
Published by MCA/High Songs, MaintourHQ

‘Thief In The Night’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, David Buckthorpe, D. Wills
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs, Pentachord, Le Tunes

‘Young Of Heart’
Written by Lewis Nitikman, M.A. Pizzuti
Published by SBK High Songs, Lewis Songs, Le Tunes, Pentachord