Chad Allan (musician)
Encyclopedia
Chad Allan is a Canadian musician and founding member of The Guess Who
. He was the group's original lead singer and front man, as well as rhythm guitarist, songwriter
and occasionally drummer
and pianist
.
, Randy Bachman
and Garry Peterson
into the band. This band became Chad Allan and the Reflections. They released their debut single, "Tribute To Buddy Holly", on the tiny Canadian-American label in 1962. In 1963, the band changed names again to Chad Allan and The Expressions and signed a contract with Quality Records. Several singles were released and were minor hits in Canada.
song "Shakin' All Over
".
As a promo stunt, Quality released promo copies of the single credited to "Guess Who?". This became the band's new name, although throughout 1965 they were being credited as "Guess Who? Chad Allan And The Expressions".
In late 1965 Bob Ashley left the band and Burton Cummings
of The Deverons replaced him. Shortly after Cummings' arrival, the band dropped the "Chad Allan & The Expressions" sub-moniker & began including harder R&B material into their set. Allan started developing throat problems in early 1966 that made it difficult for him to sing the grittier materials, which Cummings took on. After recording The Guess Who's third album, It's Time, Allan left the band.
. Ironically, the house band chosen for the show was The Guess Who. The show lasted two seasons before being cancelled.
Allan, still under contract to Quality Records (signed in 1963), released a number of singles. He also recorded an album, Looking Through Crystal Glass, for the Canadian Talent Library, which was leased to Quality and released in 1969.
Allan was a co-founding member of the band Brave Belt
with Randy Bachman
. The band released two albums for Reprise Records
but as the band began playing a progressively heavier sound, Allan quit. Brave Belt eventually morphed into Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
In 1973 he released his second solo album, Sequel, released by GRT Records of Canada. He was also chosen to play the lead character in a musical adaptation of Beowulf, which was released on album in 1974.
Allan has since pursued many musical endeavours including writing gospel music, hosting a children's TV show in Winnipeg, and forming his own record label called Seabreeze Records from which he released several singles and an album that didn't fare well. For a number of years, starting in 1982 he started teaching songwriting at Kwantlen University College
in Surrey, British Columbia.
In January 2008 Regenerator Records (www.regeneratorrecords.com) issued a CD
consisting of four rare studio tracks and a live concert recording circa 1963 entitled Chad Allan and The Reflections - Early Roots. A limited edition double vinyl LP set of the collection (minus the 4 1962 studio cuts) was released in Spring 2009. Regenerator has remastered Allan's Sequel and Zoot Suit albums and they are available for download on itunes.
Allan moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1977. He still performs standards, ballads, and rock and roll classics.
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
. He was the group's original lead singer and front man, as well as rhythm guitarist, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and occasionally drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Career
Allan's first band, Allan and The Silvertones, was formed while attending Miles MacDonell Collegiate in the late 1950s. Allan brought notable Winnipeg musicians Bob Ashley, Jim KaleJim Kale
Jim Kale is the bassist for the popular band, The Guess Who. Kale left the band in 1973, after the Live at the Paramount album. He was replaced by Bill Wallace, formerly of Winnipeg band, Brother...
, Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
Randolph Charles "Randy" Bachman, OC, OM is a Canadian musician best known as lead guitarist, songwriter and a founding member for both the 1960s–70s rock band The Guess Who, and the 1970s rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive...
and Garry Peterson
Garry Peterson
Garry Peterson is a Canadian drummer who has been a long-term member of the Canadian rock band The Guess Who. Along with Randy Bachman, he has also recorded and toured with another Canadian rock band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive.-Biography:...
into the band. This band became Chad Allan and the Reflections. They released their debut single, "Tribute To Buddy Holly", on the tiny Canadian-American label in 1962. In 1963, the band changed names again to Chad Allan and The Expressions and signed a contract with Quality Records. Several singles were released and were minor hits in Canada.
The "Guess Who"
In 1965, Quality released their single, a cover of the Johnny KiddJohnny Kidd
Johnny Kidd, may refer to:*Johnny Kidd , singer best known as the vocalist for Johnny Kidd & The Pirates*Johnny Kidd , British pro wrestler-See also:*John Kidd...
song "Shakin' All Over
Shakin' All Over
"Shakin' All Over" is a rock and roll song originally performed by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. It was written by frontman Johnny Kidd and reached #1 in the United Kingdom in August 1960...
".
As a promo stunt, Quality released promo copies of the single credited to "Guess Who?". This became the band's new name, although throughout 1965 they were being credited as "Guess Who? Chad Allan And The Expressions".
In late 1965 Bob Ashley left the band and Burton Cummings
Burton Cummings
Burton L. Cummings, OC, OM is a Canadian musician and songwriter.He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock band The Guess Who...
of The Deverons replaced him. Shortly after Cummings' arrival, the band dropped the "Chad Allan & The Expressions" sub-moniker & began including harder R&B material into their set. Allan started developing throat problems in early 1966 that made it difficult for him to sing the grittier materials, which Cummings took on. After recording The Guess Who's third album, It's Time, Allan left the band.
After the Guess Who
Allan initially went back to college for a brief period of time, but continued performing. In 1967 he was chosen to host CBC-TV's weekly music program Let's GoLet's Go (CBC TV series)
Let's Go was a CBC Television entertainment series, hosted Chad Allen, the former frontman from The Guess Who, from 1964 to 1968, featuring musical guests. The Guess Who, fronted by Burton Cummings, played as the house band....
. Ironically, the house band chosen for the show was The Guess Who. The show lasted two seasons before being cancelled.
Allan, still under contract to Quality Records (signed in 1963), released a number of singles. He also recorded an album, Looking Through Crystal Glass, for the Canadian Talent Library, which was leased to Quality and released in 1969.
Allan was a co-founding member of the band Brave Belt
Brave Belt
Brave Belt was a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba originally consisting of Randy Bachman , his former The Guess Who bandmate, Chad Allan , and Randy's brother Robbie . Randy also provided bass tracks for the recording of the band's first album, Brave Belt I . But C. F...
with Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
Randolph Charles "Randy" Bachman, OC, OM is a Canadian musician best known as lead guitarist, songwriter and a founding member for both the 1960s–70s rock band The Guess Who, and the 1970s rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive...
. The band released two albums for Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
but as the band began playing a progressively heavier sound, Allan quit. Brave Belt eventually morphed into Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
In 1973 he released his second solo album, Sequel, released by GRT Records of Canada. He was also chosen to play the lead character in a musical adaptation of Beowulf, which was released on album in 1974.
Allan has since pursued many musical endeavours including writing gospel music, hosting a children's TV show in Winnipeg, and forming his own record label called Seabreeze Records from which he released several singles and an album that didn't fare well. For a number of years, starting in 1982 he started teaching songwriting at Kwantlen University College
Kwantlen University College
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a public degree-granting undergraduate polytechnic university with four campuses located in the South Fraser region of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland...
in Surrey, British Columbia.
In January 2008 Regenerator Records (www.regeneratorrecords.com) issued a CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
consisting of four rare studio tracks and a live concert recording circa 1963 entitled Chad Allan and The Reflections - Early Roots. A limited edition double vinyl LP set of the collection (minus the 4 1962 studio cuts) was released in Spring 2009. Regenerator has remastered Allan's Sequel and Zoot Suit albums and they are available for download on itunes.
Allan moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1977. He still performs standards, ballads, and rock and roll classics.
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Looking Through Crystal Glass |
| 1973 | Sequel |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | CAN Country | |||
| 1971 | "West Coast Girl" | 14 | — | — | Looking Through Crystal Glass |
| 1973 | "Spending My Time" | 27 | 79 | — | Sequel |
| 1974 | "Dunrobin's Gone" | — | — | 71 |