Dave Celli, Roger Stomperud, Rick Clark, Dick Markin at their first gig
Kickin' Horse
Vancouver, British Columbia
1975-1976, 1978-1980

Members
 

John Buckshaw ~ Drums
Ian Campbell ~ Drums
Dave Celli ~ Guitar
Rick Clark ~ Drums
Vince Clark ~ Drums
Mike Gagnon ~ Drums
Dick Markin ~ Guitar, Vocals
Tim Newcomb ~ Guitar, Vocals
Roger Stomperud ~ Bass, Vocals
Ron Weihs ~ Fiddle
Zig ~ Fiddle
 

In Memory of

Gunnar Roger Stomperud
d:  4 July 2008



1978 - Roger Stomperud, Tim Newcomb, Ron Weihs, Dick Markin, and Ian Campbell.

The result of many a party jam sessions, Kickin' Horse was formed in Burnaby BC by Dick Markin (guitar & lead vocals) and myself (Roger Stomperud-bass & vocals) in late 1975/early 1976. We were joined by lead guitarist Dave Celli, who also sang, and went through several drummers before we settled with Vince Clark, and then later Make Gagnon.  We played country-rock modeled after The Flying Burrito Brothers and worked in clubs and pubs within a couple of hundred miles of Vancouver, and occasionally on Vancouver Island. We disbanded Kickin' Horse in late 1976 when Celli returned to university and Markin took a day job. I went to work doing sound and lights for the rock group Shakedown.

After less than a year, I got back together with Dick Markin and we made plans to resurrect the 'old dead Horse'. Former Portland native Tim Newcomb played lead and sang, and drummer Ian Campbell  and fiddler Zig completed the line-up. This time we drew a lot of material from Bob Will, The Outlaws, Asleep At The Wheel, and Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, as well as a few originals from Markin and Newcomb. After a month of daily rehearsal (and a fresh demo tape) we hit the road. Zig decided he's rather not live in hotels, and shortly after we found former Caravan Stage Company actor / musician / playwright Ron Weihs to play the fiddle.

We set out made a name for ourselves on the BC/Alberta circuit, breaking records and earning a 'Danny Award' nomination for Best New Group. The group also played at the world premier of the play "Billy Bishop Goes To War" at the Vancouver East Cultural Center.  Markin left the group due to health reasons, and  we continued as a quartet until the winter of 1978. A planned LP never became reality. Tim Newcomb and I continued as a duo until 1980, sometimes known as Half A Kickin' Horse.

I hear that there is/was a rock group in Calgary, Alberta now using the Kickin' Horse name.

Roger Stomperud, October 2001



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Last Update: 6 July 2008
Credits:  Roger Stomperud (R.I.P.)
Band # 606