The Stampeders, says their drummer, Vernon resident Kim Berly, are still playing more than 50 years after their debut for fun and profit.

And Berly makes it clear: it鈥檚 in that order 鈥� fun, profit.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still here and we enjoy the buzz we get from being on stage,鈥� said Berly as he and bandmates Rich Dodson (lead guitar) and bass player Ronnie King get set to kick off an 11-date tour of B.C. June 18 in Trail. The tour will stop in Vernon, at the Performing Arts Centre Monday, June 20, and at 琉璃神社鈥檚 Community Theatre Tuesday, June 21.

鈥淲e have a very interactive show. There鈥檚 nothing better than hearing a theatre full of people laughing. We don鈥檛 just play our songs and leave. It鈥檚 wonderful.鈥�

The predominant Canadian rock 鈥榥鈥� roll band of the 1970s, The Stampeders are bringing along all their classic hits: Wild Eyes, Carry Me, Oh My Lady, Devil You, Monday Morning Choo Choo, Minstrel Gypsy, Hit the Road Jack and, of course, the quintessential Canadian 鈥� and Hall of Fame 鈥� song, Sweet City Woman.

No 鈥�70s group represented Canada鈥檚 musical identity to the world like The Stampeders. A quick look at Canada鈥檚 music scene from 1971 until 1976 confirms the group formed in Calgary before moving to Toronto was truly the country鈥檚 international musical ambassadors, touring more extensively in Canada and overseas than any other Canadian group during that time.

Formed in 1966, the legendary Canadian trio is coming off a month鈥檚 rest following a 25-gig tour of Ontario. It was their first live shows since the beginning of COVID.

鈥淚t was truly spiritual,鈥� said Berly, originally from Dawson Creek. 鈥淧eople were so happy to be out. We were so happy to be playing live.鈥�

During the pandemic, Berly took to social media weekly, creating videos of him playing not drums but guitar, and singing obscure Stampeders鈥� album cuts.

鈥淚t was great for me. It gave me a reason to keep playing and singing,鈥� said Berly, conceding, though, that he鈥檒l be on the skins for the tour. He sings lead on Stampeders鈥� classics like Minstrel Gypsy, Oh My Lady and Wild Eyes.

Asked if he had a favourite Stampeders song, Berly said he loves all of them.

鈥淭he songs are all our children,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ach one is special.鈥�

The Stampeders took time apart from one another in 1977, reuniting in 1992 and have been together ever since. Berly said he, Dodson and King are lifelong friends.

鈥淲e are performing better than we were during our (1970s) run,鈥� he said, adding with a laugh: 鈥淭he two up front aren鈥檛 running around the stage as much.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still playing and singing very well.鈥�

The Stampeders have been recognized by SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) for their Lifetime Achievement, been inducted into the SOCAN Songwriters Hall of Fame on five occasions and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for their 1971 seminal hit Sweet City Woman.

Reserved seating tickets for The Stampeders are $66.50 (tax and facility fees included, service charges may apply) and are available from Ticket Seller in Vernon (250-549-7469) and from all Select Your Ticket outlets for 琉璃神社 (250-762-5050). Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .