Chilliwack – The 2018 Western Canada tour for the Stampeders rolled through Chilliwack on Friday night. It was the first show since their 2012 appearance at the HUB Theatre at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Ronnie King (Bass, Guitar) said it best: “We’re geezer rock and we’re happy that you still come out after all these years”.
Along with Rich Dodson (Guitar,Bass) and Kim Berly (Drums), the trio, all pushing 70, rocked out harder than acts as old as kids who should be their grand children. They simply showed the crowd how it was done. The band joked that they would go through their “K-Tel 20 Greatest Hits” and they were right. There were a few non album cuts thrown in there, even an old political statement (“Then Came The White Man” from 1972) but for the most part, the hits and stories were there.
Hit the Road Jack, Minstral Gypsy, Ramona, Johnny Lightning, Devil You, Sweet City Woman, Playin’ In The Band and a gritty “Wild Eyes” complete with a drum solo. Remember Kim Berly is 70 and plays with a fervor of a 21 year old, tearing apart his drum kit.
While the sold out Chilliwack show is complete, the band has a few Okanagan gigs and returns to the Valley, to play Abbotsford on April 15.
Thanks to the Stampeders and Shantero Productions for permission to record a few highlights from the Chilliwack concert:
