More than 50 years after they first burst onto the Canadian music scene, rock legends The Stampeders are proving that some things never run out of ink.
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The Juno Award-winning trio is set to bring its cross-country tour to the Border City for a performance at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on June 18.
For a band that has defined classic Canadian rock since the 1970s, the current tour carries a deep emotional weight following the passing of original bass player and co-founder Ronnie King.
Vic Juba Community Theatre in May 2023. Taylor Weaver – Meridian Source
Kim Berly, Stampeders’ founding member, drummer and vocalist, said the upcoming show will be a heartfelt celebration of the band’s enduring legacy and a tribute to their fallen brother.
“Every tour we’ve done since Ronnie’s passing, we’ve paid tribute to him,” Berly said in a recent interview. “We have a video of the old days that really highlights Ronnie and I tell some stories about him because he was a thrill. A fun and fabulous human being … both frustrating and hilarious at the same time.”
The loss left a massive void in the band’s iconic three-piece lineup, but Berly noted that new bass player Dave Chobot has seamlessly stepped into the role to play alongside him and fellow founding member Rich Dodson
“Dave’s really jelled with the band … he’s definitely a Stampeder,” Berly said.
While the lineup has shifted, Berly promised fans can expect the same high-octane banter, classic storytelling and timeless music that made them household names.
The band is still playing their biggest hits in their original keys and tempos, pulling in generations of fans ranging from those who bought the vinyl records in 1971 to grandkids discovering the music through their families.
“A lot of people who are actually in their 40s and 50s grew up as children listening to Stampeder music,” Berly explained. “It was like, really accessible … they have a memory of it growing up, and then they’re so thrilled to come and see these old guys.”
Lloydminster in May 2023. Taylor Weaver – Meridian Source
Looking back at their five-decade run, Berly admitted that longevity was never the original plan. In the early days of hit singles like Sweet City Woman, the band viewed their career through a much more temporary lens.
“I used to call what we were doing disposable art,” Berly laughed. “We thought it was like a Bic pen. It would run out, you’d throw it away. The fact that we might be playing in the same band, and singing those same songs, literally 50 years later, I don’t think that ever crossed our minds.”
For The Stampeders, returning to smaller cities like Lloydminster is the true highlight of touring Canada. Berly emphasized that audiences in smaller hubs provide an unmatched energy that keeps the music alive.
“That’s the heart of our audience, really, is smaller cities and towns that we play all across the country,” said Berly. “In the smaller centre, it’s more of a special event.”
Ultimately, the June 18 show offers Lloydminster residents a chance to escape the modern news cycle, revisit a more carefree era and enjoy a night of pure Canadian rock and roll history.
“We don’t have anything to prove, we’re just going out for the joy of doing it,” Berly said. “It’s so much better to be out playing rock and roll songs.”
Tickets for the June 18 performance are available online and through the Vic Juba Community Theatre box office.
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