Chilliwack--Fly at Night (1977)

     My formative years listening to the radio was during a time I consider one of the best eras for rock music, the early/middle 70's. FM radio had taken hold in many cities with a devil-may-care attitude about everything but the music. KSHE radio in St. Louis in a studio that was about half the size of a single-wide trailer. the DJ's were fun, more than a little irreverent, and had a love for the music that was equaled by their fans. It was this radio station that formed my love of rock music.
     This kind of leads me to our featured song for the day. Many of my favorite artists were rarely if ever heard on top 40 radio. Many of them would have one or two songs (like Yes, or Emerson, Lake, and Palmer), some never even bothered to aim for that market. A group out of Vancouver called Chilliwack was one that had some minor success on the charts in the 70's, but actually did better in that respect in the next decade with a hit that almost reached the top 20 called, "My Girl (Gone Gone Gone)".
      It was in the late 70's that Chilliwack impressed me the most. Their album "Dreams, Dreams, Dreams" released in early 1977 was a great album that should have been more popular. The single off that album, "Fly at Night" (not to be confused with Rush's song of the same name), was their biggest hit in Canada at the time, and found a audience among American FM listeners as well. The group had it's origins as The Classics in 1964, had a name change to The Collectors in 1966, and after a change in lead singers, to Chilliwack in 1970. Guitarist Bill Henderson stepped up to the mike as well as taking over much of the songwriting duties at that time. A role in which he fills as they still play on the oldies circuit today. There are several gems with this group, but in my mind....start right here.

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Rush--Fly By NIght (1975)

    Today Geddy Lee turns 58....

     When any of us talk about the music that we gravitated to in younger days, it usually revolves around a time period and genre. It's a natural occurrence. For me it was Progressive Rock and British Folk of the early 70's....

       Most of the groups from that era never fully got out of the 70's. Oh yeah, there have been countless re-formations and reunions, but after about 1976-78 the bloom was mostly off the rose. But counter to what many music critics had predicted (and hoped), it has held itself together enough through the 80's to have a bit of a renaissance in the 90's with a new generation. 

     The one group that has not only defied those ups and downs, but arguably is more popular now than ever is Rush. Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart have combined to make great music that is full of energy and life over 40 years after their formation. Progressive Rock is a bit of a pretentious style of music by definition, but there are two reasons why I believe they are still getting it done...

      The first is ego. The pretension of progressive rock would many times in those early years bleed over into the lives of those making the music. (Or some would suggest...the other way around). Many of the great groups of that era would either shift personal like crazy (Yes, King Crimson), or would annoy either other to the point of numbness (Emerson, Lake, and Palmer). Watching Rush perform is like watching three guys who have been through it all together and revel in the fact that now in the later stages of their lives and careers they are having more fun now than ever.

      The second reason is they never allowed themselves to be defined by a category. Their first few albums were more straight ahead rock and roll, which made them darlings of the FM music crowd. By the late 70's they were shifting more into progressive territory, but because of the inroads caused by the first few albums, they were never put into the same progressive box as the others. In addition, they have spread out and added other elements into the music. By the early 80's, they were experimenting with new wave and reggae sounds. This ability to incorporate other elements of music is one of the reasons it has remained so fresh over the years.  

      Geddy Lee's distinctive tenor and excellent bass work has defined him as one of the best in rock music. Having said that, I will fully admit that they are an acquired taste, but over the years they have passed by many of their critics (in some cases just plain outlived them), continue to make interesting music and seem to be fully enjoying what they do. The only thing left...in my opinion is their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which at this point is a crime they have not made it already....

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