Stampeders

Rock band formed in Calgary in 1964 as a sextet, the Rebounds. It was re-organized in Toronto as a trio in 1968 by Rich Dodson (guitarist, b Sudbury, Ont, 1 Jul 1947), Ronnie King (bass guitarist, b Rotterdam 1 Aug 1947), and Kim Berly (drummer, b Dawson Creek, BC, 24 Jul 1948). Each sang and contributed songs to the repertoire. The trio's recording for MWC (Music World Creations, founded by the band's manager, Mel Shaw) of Dodson's 'Carry Me' was a major Canadian hit in 1971. It was followed the same year by his 'Sweet City Woman,' an international hit. As a result the Stampeders received the 1971 Juno Award as vocal and instrumental group of the year. Though the success of 'Sweet City Woman' typecast the band in a rather frivolous pop vein, its true style was exuberant rock. The single 'Wild Eyes' (1972) was the first to reflect this accurately. Other hits included 'Devil You' (1971) and 'Hit the Road Jack' (1975), both popular in the USA, as well as 'Monday Morning Choo Choo' and 'Then Came the White Man' (1972), and 'Oh My Lady' and 'Minstrel Gypsy' (1973). The Stampeders were one of the top touring bands in Canada during the 1970s and appeared in TV specials on the CBC and Global networks. They also toured widely in the USA (where, in 1974, they were the only Canadians to perform at the American Song Festival, held at Saratoga, Cal, and seen on ABC TV) and performed in Brazil in 1972 and in Europe in 1972 and 1973. They were especially popular in the Netherlands, where they won an Edison Award in 1973 for their first European LP (a combination of their first two Canadian LPs). In 1976 a second drummer and a three-man brass and reed section were added. In December of that year, however, Dodson left to pursue a solo career, subsequently establishing the Marigold label in Toronto and enjoying some success in the 'adult contemporary' market with 'No Time to Say Goodbye' (1984) and 'Your Own Kind of Music' (1985). Berly left the Stampeders in 1978, at which point King switched to guitar and was joined by his brother Roy (bass guitar) and two other musicians; the band continued for a time as the Stampeders Featuring Ronnie King.