Twenty years later, Chilliwack returns to Rupert

They were one of the biggest names of Canadian rock in the late seventies and eighties, hits like Fly at Night, Whatcha Gonna Do and My Girl to name a few, would pound out of many a car radio on any a Rupert night.

The band which reformed about ten years ago, is back in town for two shows Friday and Saturday night at the Underground in the Coast Hotel at 3rd and Sixth.

On Wednesday, The Daily News had a chance to preview the tour and look back at some of their golden moments in the Canadian rock scene.

Legendary rockers set to strap on the Stratocasters
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Twenty years have passed since the last time Chilliwack played Prince Rupert.
So perhaps it’s fitting that 10 years after the original and founding member Bill Henderson decided to reform the legendary Canadian rock band, the group is finally making a stop on the North Coast Feb. 2-3 at the Underground in the Coast Hotel.

“I think it was 1996,” said Henderson. “Before that, I was up there in 1993 on my boat.”
In 1996, Henderson brought an acoustic side project to town called UHF. But while his brother Ed, who now also plays in Chilliwack, can play a wicked acoustic guitar, this weekend’s shows are all about rock.

“We play most of the hits, but we also play ... from the 1970s. It was a different music scene and we were a different band at that time, so we do play Seventeenth Summer (from that era),” said Henderson. “It’s a drone tune ... no chord changes, with chants going against it, a lot of toms ... it’s a jamming song.”

Chilliwack originally formed as The Collectors in 1967, but changed the name to Chilliwack in 1969. Contrary to any rumours that they are originally from the Fraser Valley town, they were looking for a name that had a First Nations feel, that also suited how they liked to chant in their music.

“It was about how it sounded,” said Henderson. “And we liked the meaning ... valley of many streams.”

The first single came out in 1970, but it was Lonesome Mary in 1971 that received significant airplay. But the hit that truly announced Chilliwack was a band to be reckoned with came out in 1976, and Fly at Night is still one of the most popular Chilliwack songs of all time.

“Fly at Night and My Girl are the two songs that continue to make royalties,” said Henderson, adding that yes indeed, those two songs will be featured this weekend.

Following that album, Chilliwack began to simplify their music, moving away from the progressive era that dominated the 1970s into straight-ahead rock. This was helped out by the arrival of Brian “too loud” Mcleod in 1977, and his intensity on the guitar eventually led to Chilliwack’s most successful singles in the U.S., with My Girl, Watcha gonna do, and I Believe.
Macleod then moved on to even more success with the Headpins through the 1980s, but unfortunately, succumbed to cancer and passed away in 1992. Despite his passing, Macleod’s legacy remains at forefront of many people’s mind when it comes to Chilliwack.

“I think about him all the time,” said Henderson. “He was a force to be reckoned with.
“(At that time), we needed a shot in the arm, and our manager found him in a bar in Toronto. And right away, he was making a big contribution.”

Another huge influence behind Chilliwack’s early sounds was keyboardist Clair Lawrence.
“He was a major, major musician,” said Henderson. “It was phenomenal. He was a jazz musician, but we used the same rock vocabulary.”

Today’s line-up, basically intact since Chilliwack reformed in 1997, includes Ed Henderson on guitar, Jerry Adolphe on drums, and Doug Edwards on bass.

“(Ed) is a great classical player,” said Henderson. “He is really something. And (Doug) really knows how to make the rhythm section work ... he is the groove master.”

Meanwhile, Adolphe as recently named the B.C. Country music drummer of the year, but don’t worry, he can also rock with the best of them, having played with legendary U.S. drummer Steve Gadd.

“He can do whatever needs to be done,” said Henderson.

Simply put, Prince Rupert is in for a night of nothing but true rock ‘n roll, he said.
“It’s going to rock,” he said. “That’s what we do, and we make sure everyone has a good time, including ourselves.”

Shows are both Friday and Saturday night, with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Local phenoms Triple Bypass is scheduled to open, and should hit the stage between 8:30 and 9 p.m., with Chilliwack then starting their set at around 10 p.m.

Tickets are still available at the Coast front desk.

Meanwhile, Swollen Members tickets go on sale to the public Feb. 14, but anyone who purchases a Chilliwack ticket will be able to purchase advance Swollen Members tickets on Feb. 12. For more information, contact the Coast at 624-6711.