Byron, John, Gary, Bill
Western Union
Cranbrook, British Columbia
1969 -1976

Members
 

69 - 74

Byron Beauchene ~ Guitar
Gary Pinchak ~ Bass, Vocals
John Stefanuk ~ Guitar, Vocals
Bill Zemp ~ Drums, Vocals

74 -76

Dave Birch ~ Bass
Ron Daigle ~ Guitar, Vocals
Dan Tanner ~ Drums, Vocals
Dale Zemp ~ Bass, Vocals
 

In Memory of

Gary Pinchak

The Western Union was a bar band and we probably drank too much. The end result was "divorce" for all except the drummer, Bill Zemp, because he quit the band in time. The Western Union continued for a couple years with different members including Dave Birch (The Thin Red Line) on bass. He wore a white suit and we looked like John Lennon playing with Credence Clearwater.

You always remember the first and last gig best. We were supposed to open at the Cranbrook Legion (1969) after months of rehearsal.  When I called to confirm the gig and the pay ($15 per man) I was told they only hired 3 piece bands and if we had 4 that was too bad. I cancelled and they swore we'd never play there....ever. A year later they paid us $50 per man and they had to put plywood on the pool tables to serve more people. They wouldn't have us back because the place was filled with non-members and the old Legionnaires complained because they couldn't get in.  At our last gig we played our hearts out knowing it was over and the bass player (the late Gary Pinchak) tossed his toe tambourine into the crowd.  He had drifted in and out of the band, selling me his gear and buying it back when he returned, but when the tambourine took flight I knew it was the end of his band days (1976)

Byron Beauchene, May 2006

If you can hear the music, that is Gary singing Lumberjack Man

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Last Update:  23 February 2013
Credits:  Byron Beauchene