In 1981 the world was on the brink of change. Punk had given birth to a new wave of modern music and MTV was ready to launch. All across America, music flowed from the clubs with an energy that had been missing for years. Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods, along with Johnny and The Distractions, ushered in a new era of originality and professionalism to the Portland music scene.
Billy’s songs and the band’s presentation drew from the swagger of the Rolling Stones, the modernism of David Bowie propelled by the rhythms of Jamaican SKA and Reggae music. Billy called this music Boom Chuck Rock.
• May ’81 - Before the Gods played their first gig, they captured the media’s attention and were heralded as “The Next Big Thing.” Early shows were a resounding success. The band exceeded the hype. The band consistently played to packed houses throughout its career.
• September ’81 - Billy Rancher was diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer. 30-days after major surgery, Billy was back. The audiences grew, spreading north to Seattle and opening for top acts including Peter Tosh, The Stray Cats, Adam Ant and The Tubes
• August '82 – “Boom Chuck Rock Now!” The Unreal Gods first album is released.
• October '82 - The band travels to the East Coast, recording at New York’s legendary Power Station studios at the suggestion of Bruce Springsteen, who was impressed with the band’s live show.
• February '83 – The band films its first video “Police Told Me”.
• August '83 – Arista Records President Clive Davis flies to Portland to catch the Gods in front of a sold-out hometown audience. Billy Rancher is signed to Arista.
• July '84 – Billy and the band travel to Los Angeles to record their first release for Arista. During recording, Billy falls ill and is diagnosed with a relapse of the cancer. Production is put on hold.
• December 2nd, 1986 – Billy Rancher succumbs to the cancer he fought so bravely against.
• June '96 – “Rocky Road: The legendary life and times of Billy Rancher” by NW author Bill Reader is
published.
• December '01 – Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods are the first artists to be inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
• February '07 – The Unreal Gods reunite to a sold-out show at Duff’s Garage.
• October '07 - The Unreal Gods perform for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
----- BILLY RANCHER & THE UNREAL GODS THE LAST OF THE ROCKERS!
AHHH. That's the spot! Thanks so much. Now I'm teary. but it's the good kind. That song always did it for me. Especially watching him sing it. BR lives on!!
What happened to "Rocky Road" on your playlist.Don't get me wrong, I love all the new songs added but must you sacrifice my favorite one? I know I can play my CD but without the presence of Billy in the world of my-space, it's just not the same. Oh yeah, Ringtones would be amazing too! I love the site still!
SuperTrout got caught on Maui by a taper! it came out pretty good check it out and pass it on! Everyone loves fresh fish,lol... http://bt. etree. org/details. php?id=522156&filelist=1#filelist swani
The birth of Boom Chuck.I was lucky enough to be there.Back in grade school the Rancher family came to town and before to long Lenny was my new best friend. Hung out a lot at the Rancher household.Billy was always the "older brother" and the only interaction we got was when he and his frinds teased us. One day Lenny told me Billy had won a David Bowie look alike contest. My reaction was "No way!" ,but Mrs. Rancher comfirmed it showing me the artical from the paper. Later I asked Billy if he met Bowie."No but he looked at me from the stage and aknowlaged me!"Billy had a strange look in his eyes that I had never seen before.Not long after I was at the house and heard strange guitar sounds comming from Lenny and Billy's room "What the heck is that!" Mrs Rancher and Lenny both rolled thier eyes and said,"Billy thinks he's going to be a rock star".None of us knew we were hearing the painfull birth crys{and it was painfull!}of boom chuck rock.I was lucky enough to be there from the begining,The Malchicks,and The Unreal Gods.Along with my best frinds Mick Boyt and Billy Triplet we had many adventures and good times. Thank you Billy and all the rest of the people from that wonderful time in my life. Keith Cox
Hey sugar, thanks so much for being a friend! Stop in anytime and let me know what you think about my songs! Have a Wonderful Wednesday!! ... Look at it this way, We're half way closer to the weekend!! TTYS Ronica
my brother use to see you all the time when you played in seattle, and gave me the record. BOOM CHUcK ROCK NOW!! what a great band.. one of best ever from the NORTHWEST.. you guys went under the radar, but should have been a Nation wide success.. t
