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The early 1970s saw a mini-boom in America for Canadian-born rockers like Neil Young and the Band, and singles chart fixtures the Guess Who. The Stampeders were part of this group, a trio originally from Calgary, Alberta, who hit the Top Ten in 1971 with the infectiously catchy "Sweet City Woman." They later charted low in the Hot 100 with "Devil You," and brushed the Top 40 in 1976 with "Hit the Road Jack."
The Stampeders were originally formed as a rock sextet in 1964, playing the club circuit in Calgary before they set out for Toronto in 1966, playing local clubs and building a name for themselves. They saw success as a recording act in Canada with the single "Morning Magic" in 1968, but it was soon after this that the group was reduced to a trio: Rich Dodson (guitar), Ronnie King (bass), and Kim Berly (drums). A year later, this version of the Stampeders had their first real success on record with the sublimely beautiful country-rocker "Carry Me," which charted in Canada and got released in America on Polydor. Then, in 1971, they were signed to Bell Records, the New York-based label best known as the home of such pop-rock outfits as the Tony Orlando & Dawn, Mountain and Roger Whittiker.
That summer, they had the biggest hit of their career with "Sweet City Woman," a midtempo country-rock song that reached the American Top Ten and number one in Canada. The single "Sweet City Woman" was followed by an album entitled Against The Grain in Canada and Sweet City Woman in the U.S."
Ironically, "Sweet City Woman" wasn't very representative of the Stampeders' sound, only one facet of it. Their last entry on the American charts was a version of "Hit the Road Jack" which included a telephone conversation with disc jockey Wolfman Jack, which reached number 40 in 1976. This was around the time that the Wolfman had been made a virtual fixture in American popular culture, courtesy of George Lucas' American Graffiti and his subsequent appearances on television.
In 1971 The Stampeders Kim Berly, Rich Dodson and Roniie King, went on to win Juno Awards (Canada’s Grammy Award ) in the categories ’Best Group,’ ’Best Single,’ ’Best Producer’ and ’Best Composer’ for their multi-platinum single, SWEET CITY WOMAN. In Canada they went on to become a household name recording 10 albums and having many top hits including Hit The Road Jack(with Wolfman Jack) , New Orleans, Carry Me, Devil You, Wild Eyes, OH My Lady, Then Came The White Man, Minstrel Gypsy, Playing In The Band, Monday Morning Choo Choo, Ramona and Keep Me Running Wild.
In a recent U.S. radio station poll,"Sweet City Woman" was voted one of the Top-10 most-recognizable songs of the 70’s. From 1970 to 1977, the band completed six (6) tours across
Canada and performed extensively in Europe and the U.S. with acts like SANTANA, THE BEACH BOYS, THE EAGLES,MOUNTAIN, Z.Z. TOP, RUSH, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, ROBIN TROWER, SONNY & CHER, AMERICA, EARTH WIND & FIRE, JOE COCKER, STEELEY DAN, BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS, THE JAMES GANG and GENESIS, just to name a few.
In 1972, the The Stampeders were awarded Holland’s prestigious ’EDISON AWARD’ along with RY COODER and CARL WILSON of THE BEACH BOYS, during a televised award
show with an estimated audience of over 30-million viewers throughout Europe. In 1991, THE STAMPEDERS had the honour of being inducted into the Alberta Recording Association’s ”Hall of Fame,”.In 1992 The Stampeders officially reunited and began touring again. In 1994, they were inducted into the Calgary Rock Hall Of Fame. The same year, RICH DODSON was inducted into the SOCAN-ASCAP Hall of Fame for his compositions, SWEET CITY WOMAN and CARRY ME, as was KIM BERLY for his composition OH MY LADY in ‘95. THE STAMPEDERS can also be credited with having some of the first rock ’videos’ by a Canadian act, five of which are included in a one-hour video entitled ”CANADA’s ROCK LEGENDS - THE STAMPEDERS.” They made numerous TV appearances, including their own one-hour CBC special, ”A SHORT VISIT TO PLANET EARTH,” THE JUNO AWARDS (Canada’s Grammy Award), NBC’’s ”THE DATING GAME”, the ”SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL”, KENNY ROGER’s ”ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER,” and the U.S.-originated, ”DON KIRSHNER’s ROCK CONCERT”.
With hundreds of reunion concerts to their credit and a brand-new album, ”SURE BEATS WORKING” (MPL-CD-0009) released in 1997 on Marigold Records (KOCH International), to the delight of their dedicated fans, old and new alike, THE STAMPEDERS ARE BACK!
If anyone was watching television Thursday night there was a documentary special on the music of the 1970s in Canada on CBC; This Beat Goes On, it continues next week. The Stampeders did get a mention:
Drop by my page my friend. I posted a video and MP3 of me doing one of the hottest versions of “Voodoo Child” that you’ll ever hear.....guaranteed to make you smile! …..and you can download the MP3 for free!
Hi Stampeders! Thanks very much for your friendship! I grew up listening to and loving your music. I wish you continued success in all your future endeavours! Stay in touch! Fondly, Kathy www. myspace. com/cherylnye
Online Now!
Heather
