Spirit of Rasputin's

Terry Gillespie & Vince Halfhide

Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 pm
Westboro Masonic Hall,
430 Churchill Ave.N., Ottawa

Tickets: $25

Our Terry Gillespie and Vince Halfhide concert at the Westboro Masonic Hall on September 26 will be a bit of a back-to-the-future event. From the late 1960’s through to the early 1980’s, Heaven’s Radio, featuring Terry and Vince, rose to the very heights of the local music scene in Ottawa.

Twelve years is a long time to keep a band together so it’s not surprising that Heaven’s Radio experienced some changes in personnel. However, Terry Gillespie and Vince Halfhide, the founders of the band, were there through all the highs and lows. The iconic group of back up players included Bobby Blackler (bass), Michel Pouliot (percussion, vocals), Norm Clarke (tenor saxophone), and Bill Stevenson (piano).

I encourage you to dive into Wikipedia and learn how each band member has and continues to make their indelible marks on Canadian music.

During their tremendous run, Heaven’s Radio played virtually every imaginable venue in the Ottawa area. They produced two albums, both on Harvey Glatt’s Posterity Records label. The band’s debut, named Active, was recorded live in 1978 at the Black Swan on Rideau Street. “Good Time Station”, one of the hits from this recording, became radio station CHEZ-FM’s unofficial anthem.

The follow-up collection called Uptown Babies was release in 1979. Both albums were well received by critics and fans alike. Originally released in 12 inch vinyl album format, some copies are still available in collectors markets such as eBay.

In 2007 both recordings were re-packaged and released in CD format under the title Rendezvous. This release was supported by a promotional reunion concert. Our concert will feature a stripped down ‘founders’ version’ of the band.

In my conversations with Terry and Vince, they reminded me of some of what made the band alive and unique. In Vince’s words: “We weren’t the Beatles.” and “I didn’t see myself as a rock star.” Terry repeated this theme in his own way: “We play free! We play open! That means we have to play well or it doesn’t work.”

Heaven’s Radio certainly did play well but it was destined to always be something of an outsider. It never quite fit in and refused to be put in a box. Heaven’s Radio didn’t do ‘set pieces’. It was alive and always pushing the envelope, always innovating as it introduced Ottawa musicians and fans alike to progressive waves of reggae, groove-heavy funk, blues, and rock. Eventually, Heaven’s Radio created its own unique fusion of all the above. 

Pardon the clichés but Heaven’s Radio was always ahead of its time, ahead of the curve and yet paradoxically, Heaven’s Radio was so good that it became “a staple of the Canadian live music scene”, playing notable residencies and venues like the Midwich Cuckoo and opening for major touring acts like Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh.

With all their history, depth of experience, love of music, commitment to innovation and continuous growth, Rasputin’s is delighted that Terry and Vince have agreed to once again share their best from the past and present. It’s going to be a great show. Get your tickets early and avoid the last minute rush.