Ask Bill Forum

From: Mark Scohy Subject:
Q1. I can't believe I found this site. When reliving the good ole days of college, which for me was 1982-1986, "Wanna be a star" and "Chillwack" ALWAYS gets discussed. "Wanna be a star" came out when I was in a similar (slightly) situation as the story of the album: under a performance contract, too many shows a year, no appreciation from the "management". We really related. Played the crap out it, over and over. It seemed to be a good stress reliever. Thanks for such a great record. Was the story line pure fiction or a somewhat true life struggle with record companies?
Thanks and best wishes,
Mark Scohy

A1. Bill Henderson: No its all real. As real as songs get anyway. Mythic real.

From: "Diane Kuz"
Subject: Favorite Album
Q2. Simple question, which might actually be difficult to answer. What is your favorite Chilliwack album, and Chilliwack song Bill, and why?

Bill Henderson: Yep, it's too tough for me. Well, I think my favorite albums are probably "Dreams" and "Wanna Be a Star".

From: Trs4Frs@aol.com
Subject: MP3
Q3. 3. Bill, How do you feel about the MP3 format and its effect on the music business? How do you feel about Chilliwack's music being made available in this format?

Well, I don't like working for free or, as Courtenay would have it, for tips. It costs tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars to make a great recording. Don't know where those recordings are going to come from if they don't earn any money. But I love having mp3 files on my mac. the flexibility is great.

From: From: "Azlan Mohammed"
Subject: Big fan in the Caribbean
Q3. Hi Bill, I love your band but never seem to locate your albums, my favourites are the melodious Dreams,dreams ,dreams and lights in the valley. I really love the dream like melodies and hormony on these two albums backed up by the classically arranged acoustics, the line up with Howard, Ross, Glenn and yourself made Chilliwack one of my favourite all time classic rock band. I am intrested in obtaining some of your older albums with this same line up, please guide me as to where can purchase the following Chilliwack, Riding high,Crazy Talk and Rockerbox.

Azlan Mohammed
Trinidad. West Indies.

Bill Henderson: Right now they're not available man. But I'm working on it. There is a live CD coming out that a lot of those tunes will be on. I plan on finishing it this summer. Same tunes, played with respect in live shows. The release will be announced on my web site www.gonegonegone.com so keep checking it. Jim will probably announce it here too.

From: "WALDEN CAM"
Subject: Graditude
Q4. In my "18th Summer" I learned what live music can be all about. You and Claire et al. were playing at a 1969 Calgary concert: second on 3 band bill where you (as usual) blew the one hit wonder into the dust. I determined that the only band worth playing in was a band that made every song an adventure for everyone - audience and players. Yeah, today I know that music also has to pay the bank but back then I could not find any players who wanted to be dedicated to "really playing" so I went into broadcasting. That is when I had the opportunity to interview the "new" band format. That was in 1972 and you had roped-in the wild jamming that I found so appealing. Frankly, I was disappointed but I was too star struck to mention it in the interview (CBC Calgary - Inner Ear). Time passed and I still missed the spirit of adventure of music jamming but still enjoyed playing (classical percussion and what ever else gig I could get without loosing the day job). THEN you played the 1999 Red Deer Westerner Days and what a great job you did! No jamming but tight really skilled music. I was wondering if all that CAPAC administrative duties had dulled the voice or fingers.
Bill Henderson: Nope.
THEN I scored tickets to your Millennium Club show last Friday (of the long weekend). My son, in his "Nineteenth Summer" came along. THANK YOU THANK YOU! I am now spreading the word that CHILLIWACK IS BACK WITH ONE FOOT IN THE MUSIC EXPLORATIONS OF THE SIXTIES AND ONE FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THEIR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS! Hey, was that Russ Turnkey on Drums?
Bill Henderson: No, his name is Jerry Adolphe. And yeah, he's great eh?
Who ever he is, he looks like me! Man, what a solid beat with great tom tom work. Pass on the compliment please. Next time I'm sittin' closer so I can "borrow" some licks. Your brother and you really make up a good team and the bass guy looks real familiar but I can't quite place him.
Bill Henderson: Doug Edwards. Wrote wildflower. Played with Hometown Band. Bin around for years. Great musician.
I really enjoy UHF. It comes out of the case every couple of months for a couple of plays - GOLAN HEIGHTS - great cut. Didja team up for one opus? Did I hear something about a live work?
Bill Henderson: Yeah. That Millenium club gig was recorded too. Who knows it might make it in there. I checked it out last week. There was some good stuff.
Hey, why don't ya just record every gig?
Bill Henderson: That's exactly what I'm doing.
Package them like the "Dead" and flood the market with incredible music? Betcha in five years Chilliwack will have at least part of that fan base. I watch Much Music's coverage of Woodstock. You should have been on stage too!
One final note, on an already too long audience letter, there is a new book by the dude who coined the phrase Yuppie and identified the sociological implications of DINKS (Dual income no kids). He says that the kids of the sixties and early seventies are finished building nests and are searching out their philosophical roots. I believe that your music may be a key to help in this process. So get the product/adventure out there.
Oh, thanks for the work in CAPAC. I may not understand all the reasoning for every new policy (i.e. music stores being added to the tariff) but at least somebody is looking out for the pro's.
Part of the show - an appreciative audience member
Cam Walden
Red Deer
Bill Henderson: Right on man.