Helix is a Canadian hard rock band from Kitchener, Ontario. Formed in 1974, the group originally featured lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, bassist Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg, and drummer Bruce Arnold. By the time they recorded their debut album Breaking Loose in 1979, Vollmer and Zurbrigg were joined by guitarists Brent Doerner and Paul Hackman, and drummer Brian Doerner. The band's current lineup includes Vollmer alongside bassist Daryl Gray (from 1984 to 2002, and since 2009), and guitarists Gary Borden (from 1996 to 1998, and since 2019) and Chris Julke (since 2014).
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History edit
1974–1989 edit
Helix was formed in 1974 by Brian Vollmer, Ron Watson, Rick Trembley, Keith Zurbrigg, Bruce Arnold and Don Simmons.[1] The group was initially known as the Helix Field Band, before they brought in manager Bill Seip who encouraged the members to shorten the name.[2] Around the same time as Seip's arrival, roughly six months after the group formed, Trembley was fired by band leaders Arnold and Watson and was not replaced.[3] Watson left shortly thereafter, replaced by Brent "The Doctor" Doerner.[4] Helix began touring Canadian bars after Seip took over management, although early on both Arnold and Simmons left the band.[5] The pair were replaced by Doerner's brother Brian and Paul Hackman, respectively.[4] This lineup recorded and released the band's debut album Breaking Loose in 1979.[6]
After touring in promotion of Breaking Loose, Brian Doerner was replaced by Leo Niebudek; after recording one track for White Lace & Black Leather, Zurbrigg was also replaced by Mike Uzelac.[7] In 1982, Niebudek was replaced by former Starchild drummer Greg "Fritz" Hinz, who debuted on No Rest for the Wicked.[8] Just before a US tour to promote the album, bassist Uzelac became a born again Christian and left the band, replaced by touring member Pete Guy.[9] Uzelac briefly returned later in the summer, before Mark Rector took over until the end of the year, starting with a European tour supporting Kiss.[9] Daryl Gray took over as full-time bassist at the beginning of 1984 to record Walkin' the Razor's Edge.[10] This lineup also released Long Way to Heaven in 1985 and Wild in the Streets in 1987.[3]
1989–2002 edit
After the touring cycle for Wild in the Streets, guitarist Brent Doerner departed from Helix in 1989.[11] The remaining four members recorded Back for Another Taste without a second guitarist.[12] For the album's tour starting the following summer, the group was joined by its first American member, guitarist Denny Balicki (later Blake).[13] On July 5, 1992, when the band was travelling back to Kitchener after a short local tour, a bus carrying Paul Hackman, Daryl Gray and two of Helix's road crew members crashed near the city of Kamloops, killing Hackman on impact.[14] Despite this tragedy, Helix continued later in the year, with Brent Doerner returning and Greg "Shredder" Fraser taking over from Hackman.[11][15] The new lineup released It's a Business Doing Pleasure on Aquarius Records in 1993.[16]
Following the release of the album, Doerner left again and Helix toured with rotating part-time touring guitarists alongside Fraser, including Gary Borden, Rick Mead and Mark Chichkan.[17] When Fraser left in 1996, Borden took over as his official replacement; when drummer Greg Hinz left later the same year, Glen "Archie" Gamble took his place.[17] During this flexible period, the band recorded the bulk of the material for 1998's Half-Alive, which also included a handful of tracks recorded with Hackman before his death.[18] By 2000, Helix had returned to a more regular touring schedule and settled on a lineup of Vollmer, Gray and Gamble alongside guitarists Gerry Finn and Mike Hall.[19] In 2001, Harem Scarem drummer Darren Smith took over from Gerry Finn, who left to join David Usher's band.[20]
2002–2007 edit
In early 2002, Vollmer and Gray fell out after a recording session and the bassist left the band.[21] He was replaced by Stan Miczek, also formerly of Harem Scarem, before all but Gamble were dismissed in the summer as the band relocated to London; the new lineup included guitarists Shawn Sanders and Dan Fawcett, and bassist Jeff "Stan" Fountain.[21] Before the new incarnation could record anything, however, Vollmer fired Fawcett in early 2004 and Sanders chose to leave.[22] In May the group released Rockin' in My Outer Space, which featured Rainer "Rhino" (lead guitar, keyboards) and Cindy Weichmann (backing vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards); both musicians became official members of the band, and after the album's recording Jim Lawson was brought in on second lead guitar.[23]
On July 17, 2004, Helix marked its 30th anniversary with a special concert featuring a wide range of former band members, which was released as 30th Anniversary Concert.[24] Included were original members Ron Watson, Keith Zurbrigg, Bruce Arnold and Don Simmons, alongside numerous other performers.[25] The next February, it was announced that Gamble had left the band after nearly ten years to focus on his other group Popjoy, with Brian Doerner returning in his place.[26] The following spring, Vollmer decided to part with the Weichmanns and brought in Rick VanDyk as a new guitarist.[27] At the same time, Doerner departed again and was replaced by Brent "Ned" Niemi.[28] In March 2007, Fountain was replaced on bass by Paul Fonseca, a bandmate of both VanDyk and Niemi.[29]
Since 2007 edit
Helix released The Power of Rock and Roll in 2007, although none of the current members besides Vollmer performed on the album.[30] This was followed the next year by A Heavy Mental Christmas, which featured all but Lawson.[31] In February 2009, it was announced that Crash Kelly's Sean Kelly had replaced Fonseca on bass.[32] The following month, Helix also revealed that Brent Doerner had replaced VanDyk for a third tenure in the band, while Rob MacEachern (who played drums on several recent Helix releases) had taken over from Niemi.[33] By August that year, a reunion of the 'classic' 1984–1989 lineup of Vollmer, Doerner, Daryl Gray and Greg Hinz had been announced for a tour starting in October; later, Kaleb "Duckman" Duck was announced as the group's second guitarist.[34]
In June 2012, Helix announced that Brent Doerner would be leaving the band for a third time in September.[35] He was replaced by John Claus.[36] By February 2014, Claus had been replaced by Chris Julke, who recorded the band's next album Bastard of the Blues.[37] This was followed in 2019 by Old School, before Duck left in November that year and was replaced briefly by former guitarist Mark Chichkan and then by Gary Borden.[38]
Dan Fawcett, guitarist for Helix from 2002 to 2004, died on 6 November 2022 at age 52 after being stabbed in Gibbons Park, in London, Ontario.[39] Craig Allan, 48, was charged with second degree murder[40], while Allana Lebars, 41, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after being originally charged with second-degree murder.[41]
Drummer Greg "Fritz" Hinz died on February 16, 2024.
Members edit
Current edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Vollmer | 1974–present |
|
all Helix releases | |
| Daryl Gray |
|
|
| |
| Gary Borden |
|
|
Half-Alive (1998) | |
| Chris Julke | 2014–present |
|
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Former edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg | 1974–1980 |
|
| |
| Bruce Arnold | 1974–1976 | drums | 30th Anniversary Concert (2004) – one track only | |
| Don Simmons | 1974–1976 (died 2021) | keyboards | ||
| Ron Watson | 1974–1976 (died 2019) | guitar | ||
| Rick "Minstrel" Trembley | 1974–1975 | none | ||
| Brent "The Doctor" Doerner |
|
|
| |
| Paul Hackman | 1976–1992 (until his death) |
|
| |
| Brian Doerner |
|
|
| |
| Leo Niebudek | 1980–1982 | drums |
| |
| Greg "Fritz" Hinz |
|
|
| |
| Mike Uzelac |
|
|
| |
| Pete Guy | 1983 | bass | none | |
| Mark Rektor | ||||
| Denny Balicki (later known as Denny Blake) |
1990–1992 |
|
Half-Alive (1998) | |
| Greg "Shredder" Fraser | 1992–1996 | It's a Business Doing Pleasure (1993) | ||
| Mark Chichkan | 1993–1999 (part-time) | Half-Alive (1998) | ||
| Rick Mead | 1993–1998 (part-time) | guitar | ||
| Glen "Archie" Gamble | 1996–2005 | drums |
| |
| Gerry Finn | 2000–2002 (part-time touring 1998–2000) |
|
none | |
| Mike Hall | 2000–2002 | |||
| Darren Smith | 2001–2002 | |||
| Stan Miczek | 2002 |
| ||
| Jeff "Stan" Fountain | 2002–2007 | all Helix releases from Rockin' in My Outer Space (2004) to The Power of Rock and Roll (2007) | ||
| Shawn Sanders | 2002–2004 |
|
none | |
| Dan Fawcett (died 2022)[42] | ||||
| Rainer "Rhino" Wiechmann | 2004–2006 |
|
| |
| Cindy Weichmann |
| |||
| Jim Lawson | 2004–2009 (touring only) |
|
30th Anniversary Concert (2004) | |
| Rick VanDyk | 2006–2009 | A Heavy Mental Christmas (2008) | ||
| Brent "Ned" Niemi |
| |||
| Paul Fonseca | 2007–2009 |
| ||
| Sean Kelly | 2009 |
|
| |
| Rob MacEachern |
|
| ||
| Kaleb "Duckman" Duck | 2009–2019 |
|
all Helix releases from Smash Hits... Unplugged! (2010) to Old School (2019) | |
| John Claus | 2012–2014 |
|
none |
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Timeline edit
Lineups edit
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1974–1975 (as the Helix Field Band) |
|
none |
| 1975–1976 |
| |
| 1976 |
| |
| 1976–1980 |
|
|
| 1980 |
|
|
| 1980–1982 |
| |
| 1982–1983 |
|
|
| June – July 1983 |
|
none |
| August – September 1983 |
|
|
| October – December 1983 |
|
none |
| January 1984 – fall 1989 |
|
|
| Fall 1989 – summer 1990 |
|
|
| Summer 1990 – July 1992 |
|
|
| Fall 1992 – summer 1993 |
|
|
| 1993–1996 (rotating touring lineup) |
|
none |
| 1996 (rotating touring lineup) |
|
|
| 1996–1998 (rotating touring lineup) |
| |
| 1998–1999 (part-time touring lineup) |
|
none |
| 2000–2001 |
| |
| 2001–2002 |
| |
| Early – summer 2002 |
| |
| Fall 2002 – early 2004 |
| |
| Early – spring 2004 |
|
|
| Summer 2004 – February 2005 |
|
|
| February 2005 – March 2006 |
|
none |
| April 2006 – March 2007 |
|
|
| March 2007 – February 2009 |
|
|
| February – August 2009 |
|
|
| August – October 2009 |
| |
| October 2009 – September 2012 |
|
|
| October 2012 – February 2014 |
|
none |
| February 2014 – November 2019 |
|
|
| November 2019 – February 2024 |
|
none as yet |
References edit
- ^ "Helix Pay Tribute To Original Keyboardist Don Simmons, ZZ Top Bassist Dusty Hill With Live Performance Of "Heavy Metal Cowboys" (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 6, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Sadzak Hebert, Sue (March 2, 2015). "Helix: An Interview with Brian Vollmer". Music Life Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Fitzharris Coody, Kelly (October 7, 2015). "Helix: The Canadian Rock Group's Legendary Brian Vollmer Opens Up To Sick Lit Magazine". Sick Lit Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Vollmer, Brian. "Biography: 70's". Helix. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix – Original Keyboardist Don Simmons Passes; Vocalist Brian Vollmer Pays Tribute: "He Was There At The Beginning, And Part Of The Helix Story And My Life"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 2, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Carlson, Taylor (February 26, 2015). "Breaking Loose + White Lace and Black Leather – The Oft-Forgotten First Two Albums from Legendary Canadian Rockers Helix!". ZRockR Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (June 16, 2015). "Review: Helix – White Lace & Black Leather (1981 H&S)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (June 17, 2015). "Review: Helix – No Rest For The Wicked (1983)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Helix (September 20, 2018). "Pete Guy comes for a visit to Planet Helix". YouTube. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, John (July 28, 2019). "Helix: 'Walkin' The Razor's Edge'". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. "Helix Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix – 'Greatest Hits '83–'12'". Blast Magazine. 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Olivier (February 19, 2017). "Helix frontman Brian Vollmer looks back at guitarist Denny Blake's time in the band". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Canadian tour ends in tragic B.C. accident" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 56, no. 3. Toronto, Ontario: RPM. July 18, 1992. p. 2. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Pilon, Bernard (September 20, 1993). "Preparing for the worst". Regina Leader-Post. p. 23. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix – It's A Business Doing Pleasure" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 58, no. 8. Toronto, Ontario: RPM. September 4, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Vollmer, Brian. "Helix History: 1994 to 1998 – Back For More". Helix. Archived from the original on March 8, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (August 15, 2014). "Review: Helix – half-ALIVE (1998)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Vollmer, Brian. "Helix History: 2000 – Running Wild". Helix. Archived from the original on March 8, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Vollmer, Brian. "Helix History: 2001 – Still Rockin'". Helix. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Vollmer, Brian. "Helix History: 2002 – Moving Forward". Helix. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Vollmer, Brian. "Helix History: 2004 – 30 Years & Counting". Helix. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix To Film Anniversary Show, New Lineup Confirmed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. June 27, 2004. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Popoff, Martin (July 19, 2004). "Helix – 30th Anniversary Concert Review". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (March 24, 2013). "DVD Review: Helix – 30th Anniversary Concert (2004)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix – An Open Letter From "Archie"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. February 27, 2005. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Lineup Change Announced For New Album". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. May 24, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "New Helix Material "Reminiscent Of The No Rest For The Wicked Album"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 5, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Enlist New Bassist". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 11, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (March 10, 2018). "Review: Helix – The Power of Rock and Roll (2007)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (December 20, 2014). "Review: Helix – A Heavy Mental Christmas (2008)". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Recruits Crash Kelly's Sean Kelly As New Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. February 24, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix: Footage Of First Rehearsal With New Lineup Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. March 15, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Confirm Reunion Live Dates". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. October 18, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Guitarist Brent Doerner Quits Helix". Blabbermouth.net. June 25, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Ladano, Mike (September 8, 2012). "Exclusive Interview: Brian Vollmer Of Helix". Mike Ladano. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Enlist New Guitarist". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. February 23, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Helix Guitarist Kaleb Duck Calls It Quits: "An Outstanding Human Being; Total Class"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. November 27, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Donnini, Alessio (November 8, 2022). "'So tragic': Friends mourn former Helix guitarist slain Sunday in London, Ont.'s Gibbons Park". CBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ "Pair wanted in Windsor now charged in London homicide of former Helix guitar player". CBC News. November 12, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ Sims, Jane (November 22, 2022). "Woman who lured ex-Helix guitarist to his death pleads guilty to manslaughter". The London Free Press. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ Daniel Fawcett, ex-guitarist for Canadian rock icons Helix, found murdered