Memory:Claude Brindamour
I was 14 years old, living in suburban Quebec City. The closest to a rock concert I had the chance to get was Robert Charlebois at The Grand Theatre! One of our neighbours was working for Capitol Records and he came to our house with "a pair of tickets for Gentle Giant tonight and nobody seems interested to attend"; I picked them up and the experience was incredible!
A lot to see for a kid my age: potheads completely stoned waiting for the concert to begin; white cello on the stage with rock instruments; I can't stop staring at the big GIANT logo; flabergasting 5 persons drum "solo"; encounter with my music teacher accompanied by two babes (we exchanged smiles at school the next morning !); a shiver runs my spine as I hear the wonderful vocal harmonies of Shulman, Shulman, Minnear; and not the least... I'm experiencing a rock concert for the first time !
GG really changed my musical life. Without them, I wouldn't have got into English Folk, Traditional, Medieval, Moondog, etcetera. My musical taste has broaden to 'anything that's good or sincere or well-played'. I'm not into prog music anymore... too pretentious. But, let me say that each time I tell the story of "a young kid attending a GG concert in Quebec", people always look at me with envy. And I treasure the memory. I have one regret: Kerry Minnear was a true genius, an audacious arranger and composer; how come he doesn't make some new stuff now ? I miss him. By the way, people from Quebec City interested by a funny and weird musical experience are invited to listen to my radio show L'HOMME SCALP aired on CKRL FM 89,1. www.ckrl.qc.ca