When Al and Jerry Steiner started the club I do believe that the first band to play there was Bobby Blackburn aka Bobby Dean and the Gems. Today Bobby’s extended family “The Blackburns” carry on the message.

When Bobby’s band left the “Note” Kay Taylor and the Regents replaced him sharing the billing with Jay King and the Spices.

Also at this time, the Regents went through a number of tenor players such as Normy Parrish of Little Ceasar fame and Russ Strathdee before settling with Steve Kennedy.

It was during this time that the Regents shared the floorshow with the likes of Lenny Breu, Joey Hollingsworth, Cal Briggs, Stan Thomas, Bob Francis, Jimmy Reed, Larry Ellis, Augy Doggy (died while performing on the floor show), Ray Hutchison and who could forget Kathy Petrie, Queen of the Twist, a few of the many who passed through this portal already mentioned.

I wonder at times what has become of those who are still with us.

The club also had a small kitchen run by a Chinese gentleman by the name of Pinky. I never missed a night of not having the chicken fried rice he would cook up for me. Beverages served was only coffee and soft drinks. Sometimes you could find the band on their breaks sitting in Bassil’s Restaurant across the street enjoying a bowl of steamed rice with chicken gravy and a cocktail or three. Ha!

When Kay Taylor and the Regents left, Steve Kennedy stayed back to join up with Whitey Glenn, Dom Triano etc. and the rest is history.

I think I may be the only one who has photos of the earlier days thanks to the mother of my children.

Again thanks Dave for stirring up memories of quieter times.

In response to the November 26 story, When Radio Was King, well-respected Vancouver broadcaster Red Robinson, who was program director and on-air DJ at CFUN during the 60’s and 70’s, confirmed and added to some of the things I wrote therein about Canadian music business pioneer Bill Gilliland. In his email dated November 27 Robinson writes, “Arc was more than a [Canadian] record label, it was hope for our [Canadian] artists. Bill, you are in many ways our [Canada’s] Sam Phillips.”

David Marsden a.k.a. Dave Mickie, one of Canada’s most popular DJs during the 60’s and 70’s, agrees with Robinson. In his email dated December 2, Marsden writes, “I’m delighted to read Red’s notes
about Bill Gilliland. That’s very cool! For too long there’s been a perceived dislike between the folks in Vancouver and Toronto. For that reason Red’s comments are even more important.”
Tom Wilson, one of Canada’s top agents during the 60’s and 70’s, in his email dated December 2 writes, “Just a response to the comments by legendary Vancouver broadcaster Red Robinson that Bill Gilliland is in many ways Canada’s Sam Phillips and Arc Records was more than a recording company, it was ‘hope’ for Canadian talent. During the 60’s and 70’s my agency was the exclusive agent for many Canadian artists including all of Arc’s Yorkville label artists including The Stitch In Tyme, The Ugly Ducklings and Ocean who I also managed, so I know firsthand that Bill, via the Arc and Yorkville labels, offered not only ‘hope’ but also ‘opportunity’ for many Canadian artists.”

FYI, Gilliland was a teenager when in the mid-1950’s Sam Phillips, the esteemed owner of the much celebrated independent U.S. label Sun Records, recorded Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash before they signed with major labels RCA, Mercury and Columbia. Phillips too had a fast ear for a commercial sound and a hit song.

Enjoy the read.

Just a response to the comments by legendary Vancouver broadcaster Red Robinson that Bill Gilliland is in many ways Canada’s Sam Phillips and Arc Records was more then a recording company it was HOPE for Canadian Talent.

During the 1960 & 70’s my agency was the exclusive agent for many Canadian Artists including all of Arc’s Yorkville label artists including The Stitch In Tyme, The Ugly Ducklings and Ocean who I also managed, so I know firsthand that Bill via the Arc & Yorkville labels offered not only hope but also “opportunity” for many Canadian Artists

Regards

Tom Wilson

And I know I played all those artist’s songs on my various radio shows either as Mickie or Marsden. In fact, even now I occasionally slip one of those tracks into my current Free Form Show at 94.9 FM.

I noticed on Warren’s List a note from Red Robinson complimenting Gilliland on his prowess. That’s very cool! For too long there has been a perceived dislike rumbling back and forth across our great land, between the folks in Vancouver and Toronto. For that reason Red’s comments are even more important. I’m delighted to read Red’s notes about Bill Gilliland. As you know I lived in Vancouver for a decade. As you may not know – I consider Bill a good friend.

Lovin’ the weekly read. Now when should I start writing something for you?

d

David Farrell is a very special guy. I have always had the most respect for him. And a special salute from the west coast to Bill Gilliland who made us aware of an array of homegrown talent. Yes, Bill has had some bad things said about him but that goes with every visionary as I know Bill would agree. He would phone me from Toronto and ask me to try some product he was working on and as Program Director ( and on air deejay at CFUN) I would put it to the test with our listeners. And as David states, many acts were on their way to success without the Can Con rules. The real problem is we did not have an infrastructure in this country and young talent like Paul Anka and Bobby Curtola had to go to Nashville or New York to get the proper production.

Arc was more than a record label it was hope for our talent. Bill, you are in many ways our Sam Phillips.
I miss talking to David also. If either of you stray west please call. Red Robinson

Ed’s note: The human touch works as well today as it did back then. I take that back. Today, the human touch is so unusual it will work better than it ever did. Linking to a song, downloading bits and bites, just how human is that. It might be the ‘modern way’ but it it’s about as personal as taking some unwanted cold call in the middle of one’s dinner. Nick, looking back at some of those crazy promotions (Cheap Trick at the ElMo), well they were crazy but they stand out, made people laugh … and always, always got our attention!!!