|
 |
|
|
COMMENT(S): Gerry Quigg: the pipes|drums Interview – Part 1
Published: May 14, 2011
Author: Rolly | (report inappropriate content) |
| I would love to hear some recordings! Does anyone have some that they wouldn't mind making available? I am sure there are many readers who would like to hear the music that goes with the great story. |
Published: May 08, 2011
Author: brucegpiper | (report inappropriate content) |
| When Gerry was putting out those medleys, I was still out on the west coast playing pretty traditional medleys. When I came east, I loved that stuff but it took me time to buy into it competitively. However, it was not long after before I could play Laggan Love with a band producing excellent tone and it all came together. An inspiration for me, and ahead of his time, yes, but,pushing the envelope too far, Never. Gerry got out of the competitive bands way too early, he could have thought up a few more fine pieces I'm sure but I"m glad for what he successfully started in medley trends in Ontario. Can't wait for the next parts. Diggin it ! See ya at Maxville !
Bruce Gandy |
Published: May 06, 2011
Author: Hossman | (report inappropriate content) |
| Gerry is and always has been the very definition of "Hip".
He has the kind of ears that I would love to listen with, for just one day.
Hearing the GM band with John Kerr's corps changed my life. Stomper (my Dad) took me by the collar over to listen to that band whenever we had a chance.
Man, Colin is right, a band should come up the shoot and onto the Green playing anything from GM or CF. Still ahead of it's time! Years later my wife, Lisa and I had our "first date dinner" at his Pub after Cambridge 98'. We both had the Lamb Vindaloo and it was just as creative as the Pubs owner. Thanks you so much for the series, none other is more deserved. |
Published: May 05, 2011
Author: ColinMacLellan | (report inappropriate content) |
| The only reason I joined the City of Toronto away back in 1977 was the Desperate Battle and MacKintosh's Lament medleys. Like Mike I enjoyed playing in that band better than any other. I always thought that Bill should have just resurrected those medleys carte blanche about twenty years later. There's now at least one piping generation which has never heard that stuff. Time it was out again! Still the best pipe band music ever put together, and would not be the least bit dated today. Thanks Gerry, I smile when I think of you! |
Published: May 04, 2011
Author: DFL | (report inappropriate content) |
| An excellent article, and an excellent person to interview! Gerry had the courage to put the MUSIC , first. I hope that the "new generation" of pipers and drummers will find inspiration in this. |
Published: May 04, 2011
Author: bake | (report inappropriate content) |
| Big memories from all those years. I recall someone (George Cambell perhaps?) upon hearing the Caber Feidh medley containing the ground of "the Glen is Mine" at the Intercontinental contest at the CNE stating "that's not a pipe band, it's a f*cking orchestra". Another great recollection: when trying to choose the Little Cascade for inclusion in the Masons Apron medley (Caber Feidh again) Bill Livingstone remarking "it's kind of hard for a band" and Gerry's response: "just play the f*cker, man"
Best years of my pipe band life!! |
Published: May 03, 2011
Author: AlMcMullin | (report inappropriate content) |
| Gerry was one of my heroes growing up in the Wilmington, Delaware area which is less than an hour where he lived. What he did for piping back in the early '70's was truly ceiling shattering and I thank P\D for this interview with the hope that many others will finally know what this truly unique individual did for pipe band piping. Great job! Please hurry and bring on the rest of the interviews. |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: BrianPollock | (report inappropriate content) |
| I love this guy! Great to see Gerry getting his due as a great musician and pipe band innovator. Without Gerry the Ontario and indeed the world Pipe Band scene would be far less than it is today. I remember well that beer tent session with Bill & Gerry and I can still see them singing Lagan Love, shaking their heads with emotion on those long beautiful harmony notes, beers in hand. It was the start of an amazing pipe band journey. Looking forward to Part 2! |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: Lornescots | (report inappropriate content) |
| Loved the article, brought back lots of memories. I remembered with amusement the Lawn Mower Clinic that Bill Robertson had in Oakville. My father, Ronnie (Roland) Hill and Bill were very good friends and many a glass was shared in his work shop. I hope you are well Gerry, look forward to the next interview.
Alistair Hill |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: JimMcGillivray | (report inappropriate content) |
| Actually, on second thunk, maybe that quartet contest was in Rockville, MD. Remember that one? I was with Guelph Grade 2 I think, and why we'd traipse all the way down there for a quartet event I don't know, but we did. |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: JimMcGillivray | (report inappropriate content) |
| Great stuff, Gerry. Lots of memories here. I remember 1971 or 1972 the quartet competition at the Toronto Indoor Games, back when the Grade 1 quartets there were the highlight of the spring season. You guys came in with that Shuffling Sam thing to open the medley. It was was cute and, in retrospect, a bit hokey (as were a lot of things back then), but it blew the doors off the armoury and simply announced to people, "We gotta do something to liven up these medleys!" I was about 16 at the time and captivated by it. All these years later, once in a while I still play that tune and chuckle. That was the beginning for me. |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: ToneCzar | (report inappropriate content) |
| What an excellent interview! I can't wait to read the rest of it. It's great that this sort of history is being recorded for posterity, and filling in the gaps of how things really happened. |
Published: May 02, 2011
Author: gramps | (report inappropriate content) |
| What a great time for pipe bands here in Ontario. We already had Guelph and the Clan and Caber Feidh but I'll never forget going to a games, I believe it was Georgetown and hearing the Fraser's play Laggan Love Song and the whole place just went nuts. I said to a friend of mine "what the **** was that"! A long way from King George the Vs army (which I still like) but another milepost in a really great ride. | |
| |
|
|
|
