Full Sail

Clare and Joe flew up to Dawson Creek at the end of April 1976 to replace the drummer (Graham Rhoden) and bass player (Levern Demore).

That version of Full Sail spent the last week playing at night, while Clare and Joe rehearsed the 4 sets with Terry and Eric during the day.
Clare: "I remember that when I was not rehersing I was listening to 40 tunes on headphones.

Eric: After that our next gig was at Fort Nelson in a small club called "The Zodiac".

I can remember rehearsing up there, time was short and the pressure was on. Terry was an exacting band leader. "Look if anyone here figures they can't cut the mustard, let me know." Despite that we stuck it out and got better and better.

Full Sail originally began in August of 1975. I was visiting Terry at his home on Alexandra Rd., Richmond. He suggested that we put a band together.

Terry was aware that I had played out on the road earlier that summer with "Tommy Lee Roberts". That band consisted of Bob Walsh on drums and Glen Welk on bass. There were quality problems in the band that resulted in Glen (who was a personal friend of Terry) bowing out.

We auditioned Graham Rhoden to play drums for Full Sail. Terry and I went to see him play at "The Marble Arch" (that place was worse than both the Cobalt Hotel and the American Hotel).

We talked to him and he was willing to join, on the strength of having played with myself.

Next we found a bass player called Alan Cox. He came in and we started to practice (Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 12:00 noon). That went on for 5 straight months.

Next we were contacted by a guy I knew who had come to one of our rehearsals, named Byran Andrews. He arranged a live audition for us at a Theater in North Vancouver, along with 4 other bands. We were seen by Dennis Compo, who was with Nellis booking agencies, Dennis contacted Terry and started booking gigs right away.

We started in Prince Rupert, New Hazelton, Prince George, then on to Fort St. John (the same place the newspaper article/ photo shot was done of the last incarnation of the band).

While there, a disagreement erupted between Terry and Alan. Terry fired Alan right on the spot, phoned Nellis booking agencies and had a replacement guy sent up right away, who unfortunately did not fit in well either.

Fast tracking back to the final version of "Full Sail": After coming back to the lower mainland for the 2nd time, Terry wanted to stay closer to that area and get local gigs. So we did the gig at Mr Sports Hotel, which went very well.

We also did a gig at the Mansion out at UBC. That was a "mixed bag" and Terry was very upset with our harmonies on stage .... Again he had another one of his famous " mood swings", telling us to shape up or ship out.

At that time we were recording tracks for an album at the "Howie Brother's" recording studio, which had been a music store/with a studio in the back. Terry was a part owner and the main sound engineer.

I believe we recorded 10 tracks, some at the studio, some at Terry's house, the garage, and even next door in the basement of Terry's neighbour, Doug Adams.

Our last gig was at "Black Bart's" in Burnaby. We opened up for Sweeney Todd, the version with Brian Adams/ not Nick Gilder). For whatever reason we were fired that night (the only time I believe we were let go from a gig).

Now there were still gigs out on the road for us but Terry folded the band as a performing entity and started a day job. I know we all had gone out, begged, borrowed and were willing to steal money from our family friends and loved ones to buy PA gear. Now we were in a situation where we had no "visible means of support".

Everything started to unravel. Joe was the first to call it quits. He wanted his Crown power amp back so he could sell it but Terry didn't want to lose it. I went over to Terry's house and retreived it and made sure that Joe got it back. Joe thanked me. I risked my relationship with Terry doing that, but for whatever reason I wasn't banished from Terry's life.

Clare: Judy and I rented Terry's family property on Alexandra Rd, in dire poverty. I drove cab for a while, hiding my long hair under a wig. After a period of time my sister-in-law got me a job with the Province as a Building Service Worker. Four years later I started working with computers, eventually ending up as a private Information Technology consultant. Eric: Finally I was the last guy to go, I said "I don't have any money coming in."

After Full Sail... I went back into the workforce, while playing in several different bands. I ended up working for the Liquor Control board for over 30 years as a provincial civil servant.

Joe went to work for Customs Canada. Always with the greatest of respect, unconditional love and gratitude,
Eric T.