No more results on this page
Chilliwack In Concert
With their string of hits through the 1970s and ‘80s, Chilliwack were responsible for some of the most memorable and melodic songs of the era. They also became part of the foundation for Canadian popular music, with smashes like "Baby Blue," "Fly at Night," and "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)" all helping to ensure the nation's musical artists had a regular home on their own airwaves.
Though vitally important as a landmark act of the early "Can-Con" era, Chilliwack is very much part of the present, too. Bill Henderson is still at the helm more than five decades after the band's origins in Vancouver's bustling rock scene of the ‘60s.
Seeking a fresh start after the collapse of local favourites The Collectors, Henderson founded Chilliwack in 1970. By 1972, they were making an impact on both sides of the border with songs like "Lonesome Mary," the first of many singles that cracked Billboard's Top 100. The smooth, sultry rocker "Crazy Talk" and more country-influenced "Raino" earned them further exposure.
Henderson and his group hit their apex in the early ‘80s with the release of "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)," an ingenious mix of hard rock, pure pop, and doo-wop that showcased Henderson's vocal harmonies with the band's drummer and co-vocalist Brian MacLeod. A No. 1 single at home that also reached No. 22 in the U.S., it established Chilliwack as Canada's preeminent hit-makers. In 1982, the band extended the winning streak with their tenth album ‘Opus X' and "Whatcha Gonna Do," another top 10 single in Canada.
Though lineup changes and record company problems led to the end of Chilliwack's original run in 1988, Henderson's music career continued to thrive thanks to his participation in UHF, a Canadian folk-rock supergroup he formed with Shari Ulrich and Roy Forbes.
The demand for Chilliwack was so high that Henderson launched a new version of the band in 1997. Released in 2003, ‘There and Back – Live' is a testament to Chilliwack's renewed vitality. One of Canada's most iconic musical acts remains an audience favorite thanks to Henderson's indefatigable energy as the frontman. He gets invaluable support from such talented players as his brother Ed Henderson on guitars and background vocals, and drummer Jerry Adolphe, a part of the Chilliwack story since 1984.
First time at Century casino. Loved the small venue. Loved the fact I could dance to the music that brought me there! Loved the fact the band is so close to you! Chilliwack delivered a Great concert!
Chilliwack was as expected, excellent! From the opening guitar trailing introducing their first song (and one my favourites) Lonesome Mary the group never missed a beat or played anything that wasn't crowd pleasing. One bad note is that a lot of the songs were being played and sung by a group of men that were not the original recording artists and therefore some of the harmony was off. As one can realize, Bill Henderson is much older than when he first recorded those songs and it is obvious he can't hit those high notes as well as he used to. What Bill couldn't do with his voice, he made up for with his stage act and fantastic guitar playing; Very vibrant alive and played for the audience. He tried and succeeded to please a crowd he kept insisting he enjoyed playing for (Edmonton was once home for Bill for a short time). This concert which allowed people to dance was what the 'ol folks wanted and needed. Because of this venue, the concert was personal and intimate. A lot of old classic music was generated and taken in by a very pleased and willing crowd. Bill has a way to make you feel at home and very appreciated. The choice of songs were right on to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Chilliwack, a group(? or Bill Henderson) that will live a long and cherished history in the annals of Canadian rock music and in the hearts of rock fans around the world.
