Page 2
Name
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G.
Yaskiw
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Date
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December
2, 2021 at 4:15 PM
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Comments
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It has been a
long time, where does time go? I
hope you and your family are doing
well during this unprecedented
pandemic. I have to tell you how
very impressed I am with your
updated web site. Kudos, you hit a
home run everything is so sincere,
educational and concise... love it!
Your web page Visitor Comments guest
book section shows a picture of
Vance wearing a Canada hoodie. Now
it's story time.
That picture was 22 years ago in
Dryden at the Patricia Inn. The hand
you see in front of Vance, well
that's my hand. Vance had a big
smile on his face because I decided
to "turn Maestro" after a wee bit of
liquid courage (thanks Vance for
introducing me to Mr. Jim Beam
*wink*). I recall as if it was
yesterday, that a small group of us
"die-hards" congregated in the
upstairs "Taj Mahal" of the
Patricia's hotel rooms. That room
had a kitchenette, so we felt like
Royalty. The late Sonny Harris was
there with us as well (rest in peace
Sonny we had some good times
brother). Back to the marvelous
hotel now ...
That place was indeed full of
surprises. Whether it be breakers
tripping, lights failing, mystery
odours, water being shut off due to
broken sewer lines (mmmm), your
floor tom catching fire, or the last
of us die-hards catching a 6:00 AM
breakfast, we were all still content
and made due with what we had at
hand. How did we all manage to make
it home in one piece? I vividly
remember the old green stretched 460
Ford van that got 6MPG and had no
heat in the winter, and it had ...
tires ... well kind of. Absolutely
fantastic! Good thing there was
always a cassette tape case
available to scrape the INSIDE of
the windshield, so we could clear
the frost and see where the hell we
were going. I recall old "rusty"
permanently retired in front of
Richer MB. while on route to a gig,
ouch! I'm so glad you guys all made
it through that alive and well, with
minimal injury. In my limited time
hanging with you guys during the
Guns 4 Hire days, I have to tell you
it was an honour to be part of the
extended family in that chapter of
your life (and mine). I will always
cherish my memories with you all.
Through the good and the bad, the
good memories always remain. Those
still remain, some of the best
memories of my life.
Take Care
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Name
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Cindy
Drysdale
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Date
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May
24, 2020 at 1:32 PM
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Comments
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Ohhhhh…the
compliments here are so very kind with
memories abound! Retirement must not be
easy for you after such an AMAZING
career, VJ! Love, your cousin, Cindy.
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Name
|
Kevin
MacIver
|
Date
|
November
26, 2018 at 7:58 PM |
Comments
|
Loved the Guns 4 Hire
interview.. Well said Vinnie. 
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Name
|
Doug
Graham Smith
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Date
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October
30, 2017 at 8:09 PM
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Comments
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Upon Reflection: We
were young when you were cooking up a
storm on stage driving ‘Shop Around’
with the 5am Event at the River Heights
Community Club. I think it was Doc Steen
at the mic.
Penner, Loeb and McCrae just loved what
they did! Those motown days: utterly
superb!!!
The Fifth was a time of musical
discovery for all the members.
Those years of musical growth for
yourself and Kurt proved that two
seasoned vets could still grow beyond
their own expectations!
That Winters style just sprouted as did
your smooth insertion of drum licks with
a solid syncopation you honed even
further. Melvin always felt special when
he got to participate. And René: ah
well: that’s Ron! Haha. Memories of
Grabowski usually include that damn
Leslie I had to struggle with. Thanks
Jimmie. We always had Minot! Those tunes
that were played where each player was
playing a different song, and yet
somehow the blend was coordinated! Man
that was funny! Those were times of
Adventure.
Dianne (God bless her) and the Merry Go
Round was one special band (rock
orchestra) you on the Drum chair with
Wallace working his wonders. Bill was so
damn good it was amazing to observe his
genius simplicity of style. That French
Horn was his trophy of musical stature.
Kurt by now had mastered his style which
was unmistakably Winters ! There were no
others. Dianne and her panache: what
honesty in a voice! All this with your
drumming directing the success of each
selection. It was a band well loved by
every audience it drew. A pleasure to
experience for the listeners.
My final experiences with your
progressing career was: yeah…
The Brother. Man what a world class
trio. Each member worthy of a position
in the band! All seasoned, all creative,
all very very real accomplished talents
in one band. The mix of three tight knit
musicians well versed in each others
abilities. I’ve seen and experienced
thousands of band in my lifetime! That
band was ‘the Band’. Years and years of
hard playing for each member culminating
in what is very probably the one
Canadian Band that truly could be called
World Class in all its aspects. Skill,
creativity, composition and stage
presence. I left just after Brother
played the University of Winnipeg to a
packed house. Every person in that place
were mesmerized when they heard the band
play their own tunes. Songs written and
composed by the Group. And when the
Brother played Bus Rider or Hand Me Down
World the audience actually heard the
true sound, style and groove of just
what these songs are meant to be! The
sound, phenomenal in its power, it’s
subtitles and relentless drive of songs
by their creators! Their sound vision
was never duplicated by others! It was
Brother! The band!
This will be my final correspondence!
God Bless Vance!
The whole scene was truly a memorable
adventure.
Superb drumming really is a gift. You
had it.
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Name
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Sandra
Keegan
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Date
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November
6, 2016 at 9:01 PM
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Comments
|
Hello, do you
remember me? Back through the mists of
time!! I met you in a club called The
Sink, and then I went to all of your
bookings in Liverpool, (usually with a
friend called Beryl, who was friendly
with Terry!) I have often wondered what
happened when you returned to Canada.
Are you still in contact with Glenn and
Terry? If so please pass on my very best
wishes to them. I used to have your
record, and signed photos, but
unfortunately they have got lost through
various house-moves. I just can’t
believe where the years have gone, I am
SO pleased I found your website. I hope
life has been good to you, Sandra
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Name
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Cindy
Drysdale
|
Date
|
February
25, 2016 at 10:07 PM
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Comments
|
Hey, VJ! Bev is a
‘MASTER’ (pardon the sort of pun – LOL!)
building this website! I’m enjoying
reading all of this history!
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Name
|
Lee
Owens
|
Date
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May
21, 2015 at 8:25 PM
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Comments
|
I can’t get any of
the music to play. I really want to hear
the Brother stuff. Oh how I wish there
were recordings I could hear of their
versions of Bus Rider and Hand Me Down
World.
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Name
|
Doug
Graham Smith
|
Date
|
April
28, 2015 at 12:03 AM
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Comments
|
When I worked for you
and the bands 45 years ago I thought you
to be the most musical drummer I had
ever known! I went into Architecture and
thoroughly enjoyed every second of a 30
year career! You continued your musical
career to become a celebrity both to
fans and musicians alike! It was a
privilege to have known you for a short
time in my life. You were a brilliant
musician, composer, a man of quality!
Hat’s off to you, “Smitty”
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Name
|
Mary
Beth
|
Date
|
November
15, 2013 at 2:35 AM
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Comments
|
Vance,
Met you several times in the 80″s…first
time at South East Missouri State
University and then when you guys played
at Six Flags St. Louis for a week. I
know you have met millions of people
through the years and don’t expect you
to remember me or the times we spent
together after the shows. You guys were
so much fun. I am not sure if you even
check this blog or even how old this
blog is…….reason I am trying to contact
you is I have a son (Johnny)….he is so
sweet and plays the drums so well. I
have pictures of you in our music room
and have shared with my kids what a
great drummer you are many times. I have
been blessed with four talented kids and
our house is filled with two drum kits,
keyboards and many guitars etc. I am
sure you have been asked many times but
I would love for you to send my son
signed drum sticks of yours. Johnny is a
senior this year and my youngest
daughter in grade school is also a very
good drummer. We had to move from St.
Louis to Texas right before school
started. My son is so down and to
receive something like this will make
him so happy. I am not holding my breath
but hope somehow you do see this and
email me so I can give you my mailing
address.
Mary Beth
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Name
|
David
Maye
|
Date
|
November
4, 2013 at 2:48 AM
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Comments
|
Hey Vance, I met you
quite a number of years ago in Montreal
and a small place you were playing with
The Guess Who. It was a cold, miserable
night outside, but paradice inside. I
met some members of my all time favorite
band Ther Guess Who. You fellas gave me
and my buddy a press kit. Burton was
always the voice of The Guess Who, but
Donnie was the best guy ever to fill his
shoes. There weren’t many in the club
and we had a private, up close show.
Donnie even performed.”The Glace Bay
Blues,” for me. I was born there. I have
the 2 Guess Who albums on vinyl you guys
did. I should get the cd’s. It was cool
to sit down with you all, have a drink
and chat. I will never forget this
evening. I believe I sent you some pics
years ago. My camera was a cheap one and
the quality wasn’t very good. I did sign
your Guest Book years ago Vance. Any
chance of a return to Montreal. I did
buy tat Brother cd from you quite a few
years back. Kurt was great. I still weqr
a Garnett t-shirt with the sleeves cut
out. Cummings and Bachman pointed us out
in the audience at a concert.
Alll the best,
David Maye
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Name
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Mugsy
|
Date
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May
23, 2013 at 6:13 AM
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Comments
|
Soooo many memories
Thanks for sharing – Mugs
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Name
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Louise
Harder-Penrice
|
Date
|
April
27, 2010 at 03:48 PM
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Comments
|
FANTASTIC WEB SITE I
WAS A "GROPPY" BACK THEN LOTS OF GOOD
MEMORIES !!!!!!
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Vance with Mel Ksionzek, 2017
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Vance in Dryden, ON 2001
(Photo
credit: G. Yaskiw)
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Guns 4 Hire
Christmas 1998
L-R: Sonny Harris, Vance
Masters,
Mike Hrehoruk, Glenn Green
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Las Vegas 2010
Standing: Bev Masters
Seated L-R: Arlene Patera (sister),
Vance, Vance Masters, Jr (son)
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Just
outside of
Seattle, Washington 2005
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Vance
& Bev at the
Juno Awards Gala Dinner
April 2, 2005
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Vance 1981
(Photo credit:
David M. Perich)
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