Break out your dancing shoes and get ready to chase away those end-of-the-year blues. The Rocket Revue is going to rock and swing Peterborough’s Market Hall on Saturday, December 27th at 8 p.m.
They’ll be joined by special musical guests Bobby Watson, Bridget Foley, and Jane Archer.
The Rocket Revue is a ten-piece band that plays a variety of musical styles, including blues, jazz, rock, R&B, and soul. The band’s musical repertoire is extensive, covering over 88 years, so there’s something for everyone.
While The Rocket Revue’s dynamic rhythm section lays down a solid and tight groove, it’s the powerful horn section that truly drives and defines the band’s unique sound.
Trumpeter Greg Weichel formed the band in Peterborough back in 1999, as The Rocket 88s. He wanted a group with that “big horn sound” backed by a powerful rhythm section, that could play on its own or with musical guests, and with a variety of front players and lead vocalists.
After many years performing as The Rocket 88s, the band changed their name to The Rocket Revue in 2012 to better reflect how they present their music.
Rhythm section
Brent Bailey, keyboard and vocals – Brent has toured with Ronnie Hawkins and Anita Perras and has played with Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Healey, Jack DeKeyser and Ray Smith. Locally, he has played with The Barry Haggarty Band, Jackson Delta, Jericho’s Wall, The Partland Brothers, Sab and the Family Band, and more. While playing in Ronnie Hawkins’ band, both he and Buzz Thompson appeared on the Conan O’Brien Show, the Mike Bullard Show, and the Rita MacNeil Show.
Al Black, drums and vocals – Alan has been drumming for 50 years and was a member of Jackson Delta (which recently reunited for a concert at The Market Hall), The Tracy Nelson Band, and the Mose Scarlett Trio. He continues to perform with Al Black and the Steady Band.
Andy Pryde, bass – Andy has been playing since 1984 and has been a member of various bands including Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, Al Black and the Steady Band, and The Confederacy of Dunces. He has performed with Jeff Healey, Shania Twain, Chris Partland, Jack DeKeyser, Rick Fines, among others. He’s also a recording engineer, producer, arranger, and composer.
Gary Peeples, guitar and vocals – Gary has toured with Louisiana bluesman Larry Garner, the late Ann Rabson of Saffire, Pinetop Perkins, and Colleen Peterson. He played for 15 years with Jackson Delta and currently performs with Al Black and the Steady Band. He’s also a frequent featured guest with Rick Fines and Mose Scarlett.
Buzz Thompson, vocals – Known as Canada’s “Mr. Soul”, Buzz has been playing guitar and harp and singing lead vocals for 50 years. He has performed with Ronnie Hawkins, The Stampeders, The Band, George Olliver, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kris Kristofferson, Carl Perkins, and Jeff Healey.
Shea Bailey, percussion – Shea has been playing drums for over 20 years and is the percussionist for the band, playing the congas and other assorted percussion instruments. He has performed with Robin Hawkins and the Royals, Greg Dowey, Kevin Carley, and has played and recorded with Chris Partland of the Partland Brothers.
The Rocket Revue Promo
Horn Section
Jim Usher, tenor saxophone – Jim has played with a variety of local musicians including The Weber Brothers, Al Black and the Steady Band, Getting Better, The Last Waltz Tribute, The Kevin Carley Band, and Ronnie Hawkins. He is featured on recordings by The Weber Brothers and Charlotte Melby. Jim’s influences by “all the jazz greats” are very evident in his playing.
Rob Roy, trombone – Rob has played everything from Bach to rock in his 40 years as a player. He has performed with The Peterborough Concert Band, Frank Reynolds and The Skyliners, The Bobby Kinsman Big Band, Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, The Peterborough Symphony, and more. He recently retired from a 30-year career as a music director and music teacher in Peterborough County.
Steve McCracken, baritone and alto saxophone – Over his 40 years of playing sax, Steve has performed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Downchild Blues Band, Spirit of the West, Mud Bay Blues Band, and Third World. Steve is the leader of The Channel Cats. Along with playing sax, he’s also a gifted arranger and composer.
Greg Wichel, trumpet – The founder and leader of The Rocket Revue, Greg has played for more than 35 years with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, the Peterborough Concert Band, Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, and The Channel Cats. He has performed with Garth Hudson (The Band), Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry), and Ron Collier (Duke Ellington Band). He also performed with the Weber Brothers when they have needed horns for some of their bigger shows.
Musical Guests
Bobby Watson, guitar and vocals – Bobby is a renowned Peterborough guitar player and singer who has performed with some of the greats, including Ronnie Hawkins. Read our profile of Bobby Watson.
Bridget Foley, vocals – Bridget is a well-known local vocalist who sings in a variety of styles including blues, funk, jazz, gospel, and folk. As well as singing with a who’s who of local musicians, she performs both solo and as the lead vocalist in groups such as The Gospel Girls and The Channel Cats.
Jane Archer, vocals – Known for her intense powerhouse vocals, Jane leads and manages the Balls and Jane, a blues band she formed with Arin Jessup in Peterborough in 2010. She has shared the stage with Chris Whiteley, Al Black, Al Lerman, Lance Anderson, John Till, Dennis Pinhorn, Terry Blersh, Rob Gusevs, Weber Brothers, Andy Pryde, Dave Mowat, Ken Tizzard, and the 24th Street Wailers.
For more information on The Rocket Revue, visit them at www.rocketrevue.ca and on Facebook.
All photos courtesy of The Rocket Revue.
