Rukus - November 2011 - Courtesy of Bob Dalziel
Rukus
AKA:  Bob & Rod, Rockhouse Raucous
Victoria, British Columbia
1977 - Present

Members
 

Marty Adams ~ Keyboards, Vocals
Barry Casson ~ Drums
Bob Dalziel ~ Guitar, Vocals
Steve Hanson ~ Bass
Dave Kissinger ~ Guitar, Vocals
 

Alumni
 

Ian Adamek ~ Bass
Rod Arundell ~ Guitar
Adrien Aucoin ~ Bass
Kim Cutler ~ Lead Vocals
Helen Davies ~ Lead Vocals
Art de Meulles ~ Bass, Vocals
Brian Ferguson ~ Keyboards
Fred Herfst ~ Bass, Vocals
John Hughes ~ Keyboards
Dan Ison ~ Drums
Phil Issacson ~ Guitar, Lead Vocals
Rick Longhurst ~ Bass
John Lorenzo ~ Drums
Peter MacDonald ~ Bass
David Master ~ Keyboards
Dave Paul ~ Drums
Steve Peabody ~ Drums
Norm Piercy ~ Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Bob Richardson ~ Bass

In Memory of

Art De Meulles - d:  28 Jan 2013, Age 68

See Rukus on YouTube


Rukus in April 2010 - Courtesy of Bob Dalziel
Rukus in April 2010 - Courtesy of Bob Dalziel


Rukus at Butcharts Gardens - 2009
Photo Courtesy of Bob Dalziel

Rukus - Photo Courtesy of Bob Dalziel
Rukus - Photo Courtesy of Bob Dalziel


Rukus Calnendar - Image Courtesy of Bob Dalziel


Rukus Calnendar - Image Courtesy of Bob Dalziel


Rock & Roll for Little Souls in 2007 - Courtesy of Bob Dalziel


Present and Past Rukus Members at a 2004 Reunion - Courtesy of Bob Dalziel

A BRIEF HISTORY 1977 - 2007

The band that is now 'Rukus' was started in 1977 by two Rock 'N' Roll fans, Bob Dalziel and Rod Arundel. Bob and Rod met in 1970 over a few beers at the old Century Inn and, sharing a love for authentic 50's Rock 'N' Roll, they talked about getting together with their guitars for a jam. Though Bob was always impressed with Rod's 'Scotty Moore - Elvis' type guitar licks, life went on and it was a long time coming.

Ironically, the real beginning of 'Rukus' began with the death of their mutual favorite, singer Elvis Presley. Rod called Bob up on August 16th, 1977 and after a lengthy telephone conversation, it was decided that life was too short to keep putting the guitar jam off. So a week later they got together and banged away at some old Rock 'N' Roll. They played mostly in the 1950's rock-a-billy style, covering most of Elvis's early Sun recordings as well as songs by Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins and Ricky Nelson, to name a few.

They developed a repertoire of 20-25 songs and played at parties and a few 'live' shows which were shared with other acts or canned music. After a year or so, the music was starting to get stale and they made a souvenir long play record of twelve Elvis songs which they called 'Mystery Train' and it sold 300 'limited edition' copies. After that they stopped playing for a year.

In 1980, Bob ran into an old acquaintance and bass player, the late Bob Richardson. They arranged to get together, and thus spawned another year of Tuesday night jams. During that time, friend and drummer, Dave Paul, was repeatedly asked to join the boys, but put it off until early 1981.

The first real gig they had was videotaping seven songs for a local CHEK-TV show, 'Daybreak'. The band now needed a name and so Bob asked the guys for their input. On the day of taping, May 16th, 1981, the band met at Bob's house. Rod had come up with 'Rockhouse' and Bob thought of 'Raucous'. So when asked, they called it 'Rockhouse Raucous'. During one of the broadcasts, the emcee of the show, Bruce Payne, introduced the band as 'Rockhouse Ruckus'. It was mutually agreed to drop 'Rockhouse' and just call the band 'Rukus' without the 'c'.

Shortly after they acquired an old friend, Phil Issacson to help out with rhythm guitar and vocals. Phil had been in various bands and brought with him both experience and showmanship. After a six month rehearsal period, the band was really on its way. In 1982 and 1983, 'Rukus' rocked around Victoria until October 29th, 1983 when they played their final dance at the Princess Mary Hallowe'en party. It was a crazy night with three live bands and about 2000 people.

'Rukus' disintegrated that night until longtime supporter Stew Thompson got them back together to play at his 40th birthday party on November 19th, 1988. After that, 'Rukus' went through a five year rebuilding period that went in many directions and with a constant change in personnel. Through these years, they did manage to keep playing 'live'. It was the love and dedication of keeping the true spirit of authentic Rock 'N' Roll alive and well that kept the band together. During the 1990's, the 'Rukus' personnel read like a 'who's who' of Victoria musicians but kept going. In 1991, Dave Kissinger brought his many years of rock and roll guitar experience to the band.

The current 'Rukus' lineup is the best yet.  Keyboard player Marty Adams joined the group in 2001.  The late John Lorenzo left the group due to illness in 2003 and and was replaced by Victoria Rock "N" Roll Hall of Fame drummer, Barry Casson.  In September 2007, Bass player Fred Herfst retired after 7 years and was replaced by Steve Hansen.

'Rukus' has been performing Golden Oldies for more than 25 years. Since 1981 they have played to enthusiastic audiences of all ages playing in almost every venue in and around Victoria. Highlights through the years include opening for Buddy Knox's 60th birthday party bash in 1993, winning the 1999 'Battle Of The Bands' competition out of sixteen bands, working with Rock "N" Roll Hall of Fame disc jockey Red Robinson on three different occasions and setting the attendance record for the Government House "Music On The Lawn" outdoor concert series in 2006.  Rukus has also played on shows with Tommy Sands, Bobby Curtola, The Coasters, Susan Jacks, Randy Bachman, as well as Buddy Knox.  With five members they are able to re-create a wide variety of the sights and sounds of the Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll, from Elvis to the Beatles and everything in-between.

If you are planning a dance, birthday, retirement, wedding or reunion and want the best of authentic 50's and 60's Rock 'N' Roll dance music...call 'Rukus'. Boasting an almost unbelievable 200 years of combined stage experience, they promise a fun night of dancing and entertainment.

(From the Rukus Website.  Used by permission)

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Some of the other Pacific Northwest music groups represented in members of this group include:  Beau Gentry, Mixed Emotions, Hidden Fifth, Canadian Strangers, Bobby Faulds and The Strangers, The Twisters , Black Cats, The Regents, The Trojans , One Ton, The Marquis, Coyne, and many other NW bands.

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Last Update:  4 February 2013
Credits:  Bob Dalziel, George Klivington
Band # 2650