30th Anniversary Concert
Encyclopedia
30th Anniversary Concert is a DVD
release by Canadian hard rock
band Helix
. It is a live concert recorded on July 17, 2004 at the Brantford, Ontario Sanderson Centre. It is a complete concert and it features appearances from band members past and present to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. The concert is interspersed with interviews, studio recordings and photo montages.
which featured the return of original bassist Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg, former drummer Brian Doerner
and former guitarist Brent Doerner for a special setlist, one night only. Later in 1992, the Doerners joined Helix on a Western Canadian tour when regular drummer Greg "Fritz" Hinz and guitarist Denny Balicky were unavailable. While that tour should have been a special occasion for the band and fans, it was marred by the death of guitarist Paul Hackman
in a tragic tour bus accident.
Much later in 2004, Helix celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band. Lead vocalist Brian Vollmer
prepared several releases, and another special concert to take place that year, this time with more past members taking part. Before the scheduled concert, the then-current Helix lineup was shaken up by the departure of guitar player Dan Fawcett. He was followed shortly thereafter by co-guitarist Shaun Sanders. With the concert looming, Vollmer quickly had to replace two guitar players. Rainer Wiechmann was then producing the new Helix studio album, called Rockin' in My Outer Space
, and his wife Cindy sang backup vocals. Vollmer first encountered the Wiechmanns in Newfoundland
when their band, KAOS, opened for Helix on the 1985 Long Way to Heaven
tour. Rainer contributed guitar parts to the album and eventually joined the band. Cindy was asked to join at their first rehearsal together. New second guitarist Jim Lawson was known to Vollmer via his old band, Cherry Smash. Cherry Smash and Helix were mutually managed by William Seip previously.
The special concert involved reunions of band members from the original lineup onwards. Several significant members were not present for various reasons. Former bassist and member of the "Capitol
Years" lineup Daryl Gray was estranged from Helix, and former bassist Mike Uzelac of the "Early 80's" lineup was classified as a missing person
at the time. Original bassist Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg and current bassist Jeff "Stan" Fountain stood in for them. Rainer Wiechmann stood for the late Paul Hackman on his songs.
Greg "Shredder" Fraser, the former Brighton Rock
guitarist who played in Helix from 1992–1996, was absent. Former guitar player Gerry Finn (ex-Killer Dwarfs
), who was in the band during the late 90's, was originally announced to appear, but did not. While the concert included a reunion of five original Helix members, a sixth, guitarist Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, was not involved. None of these former members had recorded on any Helix studio albums.
The other new releases to celebrate the 30th anniversary were compilations albums. Never Trust Anyone Over 30 was released in the US, and Rockin' You For 30 Years in Canada.
and Paul Hackman
except where noted.
Bonus Features
Special guests: Everyone on "Rock You
"
Special guests: Cindy Wiechmann and Cheryl Lescom – backing vocals on "You're a Woman Now", Cole G. Benjamin – keyboards on "Billy Oxygen"
Special guest: Ray Lyell
– vocals on "Wild in the Streets"
called the show "damn inspiring" and praised the "pure, stinging guitars, expert mix, perfect volume, and Vollmer's vocals just flowing out of the guy."
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
release by Canadian hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
. It is a live concert recorded on July 17, 2004 at the Brantford, Ontario Sanderson Centre. It is a complete concert and it features appearances from band members past and present to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. The concert is interspersed with interviews, studio recordings and photo montages.
History
The concept of doing special concerts with past and present members was not new to Helix. In 1991, Helix performed a special celebratory show at Lulu's Roadhouse in Kitchener, OntarioKitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
which featured the return of original bassist Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg, former drummer Brian Doerner
Brian Doerner
Brian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
and former guitarist Brent Doerner for a special setlist, one night only. Later in 1992, the Doerners joined Helix on a Western Canadian tour when regular drummer Greg "Fritz" Hinz and guitarist Denny Balicky were unavailable. While that tour should have been a special occasion for the band and fans, it was marred by the death of guitarist Paul Hackman
Paul Hackman
Paul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
in a tragic tour bus accident.
Much later in 2004, Helix celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band. Lead vocalist Brian Vollmer
Brian Vollmer
Brian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
prepared several releases, and another special concert to take place that year, this time with more past members taking part. Before the scheduled concert, the then-current Helix lineup was shaken up by the departure of guitar player Dan Fawcett. He was followed shortly thereafter by co-guitarist Shaun Sanders. With the concert looming, Vollmer quickly had to replace two guitar players. Rainer Wiechmann was then producing the new Helix studio album, called Rockin' in My Outer Space
Rockin' in My Outer Space
Rockin' in My Outer Space is a CD released by hard rock/heavy metal band Helix on May 24, 2004. It is Helix' 9th full length studio album, and 15th official album release...
, and his wife Cindy sang backup vocals. Vollmer first encountered the Wiechmanns in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
when their band, KAOS, opened for Helix on the 1985 Long Way to Heaven
Long Way to Heaven
Long Way to Heaven is the fifth studio album by the Canadian heavy metal band Helix. This album was their third for Capitol Records, and there were bigger expectations from the band after the success of the previous Walkin' the Razor's Edge . The first single was "Deep Cuts the Knife", a co-write...
tour. Rainer contributed guitar parts to the album and eventually joined the band. Cindy was asked to join at their first rehearsal together. New second guitarist Jim Lawson was known to Vollmer via his old band, Cherry Smash. Cherry Smash and Helix were mutually managed by William Seip previously.
The special concert involved reunions of band members from the original lineup onwards. Several significant members were not present for various reasons. Former bassist and member of the "Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
Years" lineup Daryl Gray was estranged from Helix, and former bassist Mike Uzelac of the "Early 80's" lineup was classified as a missing person
Missing person
A missing person is a person who has disappeared for usually unknown reasons.Missing persons' photographs may be posted on bulletin boards, milk cartons, postcards, and websites, along with a phone number to be contacted if a sighting has been made....
at the time. Original bassist Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg and current bassist Jeff "Stan" Fountain stood in for them. Rainer Wiechmann stood for the late Paul Hackman on his songs.
Greg "Shredder" Fraser, the former Brighton Rock
Brighton Rock (band)
Brighton Rock are a Canadian glam metal band who released three albums in their home country during the 1980s and 90s. They broke up in 1991 before reuniting and releasing a live album in 2002.-Biography:...
guitarist who played in Helix from 1992–1996, was absent. Former guitar player Gerry Finn (ex-Killer Dwarfs
Killer Dwarfs
Killer Dwarfs were a heavy metal band who formed in late 1981 in Oshawa, Ontario. Though they were known for their off beat sense of humor , they were nominated for two Juno Awards....
), who was in the band during the late 90's, was originally announced to appear, but did not. While the concert included a reunion of five original Helix members, a sixth, guitarist Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, was not involved. None of these former members had recorded on any Helix studio albums.
The other new releases to celebrate the 30th anniversary were compilations albums. Never Trust Anyone Over 30 was released in the US, and Rockin' You For 30 Years in Canada.
Chapters
All songs written by Brian VollmerBrian Vollmer
Brian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
and Paul Hackman
Paul Hackman
Paul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
except where noted.
- The Band (includes the song "Ave MariaAve MariaAve Maria may refer to:*Ave Maria , the "Hail Mary", a traditional Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox prayer calling for the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus-Music:...
" performed by Brian VollmerBrian VollmerBrian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
) (6:58) - The Sanderson Theatre (5:54)
- The Concert: "Space Junk" (taped intro) (Rainer Wiechmann)/"Rockin' In My Outer Space" (Bill Gadd, Rob Long, Tony Paleschi, Vollmer) (5:53)
- "Running Wild In The 21st Century" (3:53)
- "The Ballad of Sam and Mary" (Gadd, Long, Paleschi, Vollmer) (4:11)
- "It's Hard to Feel the Sunshine When Your Heart is Full of Rain" (Gadd, Long, Paleschi, Vollmer) (3:35)
- The Original Helix: "Thinking It Over" (studio recording) (Del ShannonDel ShannonDel Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
)/"Buff's Bar Blues" (Alex HarveyAlex Harvey (musician)Alex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
) (9:59) - The Early Years: "I Could Never Leave" (studio recording) (4:01)
- "Crazy Women" (Brent Doener) (3:41)
- "You're A Woman Now" (Hackman) (6:59)
- "Billy Oxygen" (Doerner) (5:08)
- The Early 80's: "Women, Whiskey & Sin" (studio recording) (Vollmer) (3:36)
- "It's Too Late" (Doerner) (4:01)
- "Breaking Loose" (Vollmer, Doerner) (4:23)
- The CapitolCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
Years: "Give It To You" (studio recording) (4:10) - "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'" (Joey Levine, Richard Rosenblatt) (3:24)
- "Heavy Metal Love" (3:45)
- "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" (Paul Naummann, Danny Taylor) (4:03)
- "Deep Cuts the Knife" (Hackman, Bob Halligan, Jr. (4:31)
- "Wild in the Streets" (Hackman, Ray LyellRay LyellRay Lyell is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.-Career:Ray Lyell came to prominence with his band, The Storm, in the late 1980s. Ray Lyell and the Storm released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Its first single, Another Man's Gun, scored No. 6 on the AOR charts...
) (4:30) - "Dirty Dog" (Vollmer, Doerner) (3:40)
- "Rock YouRock YouSum 41 covered this Helix song for the soundtrack to the movie Fubar. The soundtrack featured classic Canadian rock songs covered by current Canadian rock artists.-Personnel:* Steve Jocz - Vocals* Jason "Cone" McCaslin - Bass* Dave "Brownsound" Baksh - Guitar...
" (Halligan) (6:23) - "The Kids are All Shakin'" (4:54)
- Aftermath (includes the song "Danny BoyDanny Boy-Background:The words to "Danny Boy" were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910. Although the lyrics were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit the "Londonderry Air" in 1913, after his sister-in-law in the U.S. sent him a copy. Ernestine...
" performed by Brian Vollmer) (3:15)
Bonus Features
- 8mm Memories (8:44)
Helix
Chapters 1-6, 22-23- Brian VollmerBrian VollmerBrian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
– lead vocals - Jim Lawson – guitar
- Rainer Wiechmann – guitar
- Cindy Wiechmann – acoustic guitar, vocals, keyboards
- Jeff "Stan" Fountain – bass
- Glen "Archie" GambleGlen "Archie" GambleGlen "Archie" Gamble is a drummer from London, Ontario, Canada and is best known for his tenure in Helix. He has played with some classic rock bands, both as a side-man and in an opening capacity: Kiss, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant, as well as some younger bands: Sum 41,...
– drums
Special guests: Everyone on "Rock You
Rock You
Sum 41 covered this Helix song for the soundtrack to the movie Fubar. The soundtrack featured classic Canadian rock songs covered by current Canadian rock artists.-Personnel:* Steve Jocz - Vocals* Jason "Cone" McCaslin - Bass* Dave "Brownsound" Baksh - Guitar...
"
The Original Helix
Chapter 7, "Buff's Bar Blues"- Brian Vollmer – lead vocals
- Bruce Arnold – drums
- Ron Watson – guitar
- Don Simmons – keyboards
- Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg – bass
The Early Years
Chapters 8-11- Brian Vollmer – lead vocals on all except "Crazy Women" and "Billy Oxygen"
- Brent "The Doctor" Doerner – guitar, lead vocals on "Crazy Women" and "Billy Oxygen"
- Brian DoernerBrian DoernerBrian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
– drums - Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg – bass
- Rainer Wiechmann – guitar (standing in for Paul HackmanPaul HackmanPaul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
)
Special guests: Cindy Wiechmann and Cheryl Lescom – backing vocals on "You're a Woman Now", Cole G. Benjamin – keyboards on "Billy Oxygen"
The Early 80's
Chapters 12-14- Brian Vollmer – lead vocals
- Brent "The Doctor" Doerner – guitar
- Leo Niebudek – drums
- Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg – bass (standing in for Mike Uzelac)
- Rainer Wiechmann – guitar (standing in for Paul Hackman)
The Capitol Years
Chapters 15-22- Brian Vollmer – lead vocals
- Brent "The Doctor" Doerner – guitar
- Greg "Fritz" Hinz – drums
- Jeff "Stan" Fountain – bass (standing in for Mike Uzelac and Daryl Gray)
- Rainer Wiechmann – guitar (standing in for Paul Hackman)
Special guest: Ray Lyell
Ray Lyell
Ray Lyell is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.-Career:Ray Lyell came to prominence with his band, The Storm, in the late 1980s. Ray Lyell and the Storm released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Its first single, Another Man's Gun, scored No. 6 on the AOR charts...
– vocals on "Wild in the Streets"
Studio songs
- Brian VollmerBrian VollmerBrian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
– lead vocals on all studio songs - Paul HackmanPaul HackmanPaul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
– guitar on all studio songs - Brent "The Doctor" Doener – guitar on all studio songs
- Keith "Burt" Zurbrigg – bass on "Thinking It Over" and "I Could Never Leave"
- Brian DoernerBrian DoernerBrian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
– drums on "Thinking It Over" and "I Could Never Leave" - Mike Uzelac – bass on "Women, Whiskey & Sin"
- Leo Niebudek – drums on "Women, Whiskey & Sin"
- Daryl Gray – bass on "Give It To You"
- Greg "Fritz" Hinz – drums on "Give It To You"
Reception
Author Martin PopoffMartin Popoff
Martin Popoff is a Canadian-born music journalist and critic who covers the genre of heavy metal music. The senior editor and co-founder of Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine, he has additionally written over twenty books that both critically evaluate heavy metal and document its history...
called the show "damn inspiring" and praised the "pure, stinging guitars, expert mix, perfect volume, and Vollmer's vocals just flowing out of the guy."