CHAD ALLAN O.M.

Condolences & Memories (19 entries)

• Chad came by to be interviewed (not by me) at the university radio station (then CJIV) at Simon Fraser University back in the 1980s (maybe 84, possibly late 1985). He left a copy of Beowulf to the radio station for he was involved in the spoken component of that recording; he talked at length about the song-writing course he was teaching at the, then, Douglas College; he also talked about his early days with his bands, including Guess Who and Bravebelt: all the while as I sat in on the interview I kept thinking "What a super-nice fellow-gotta be the Manitoban in him". Not once did he begrudge the successes that came to the bands after he left them: truly humbleness was an embodiment of the man. Moving back to Manitoba, I got busy with life, but every so often I would find snippets of information as to what he was up to: all the while he lived life as he wanted to, his terms. I am glad that I made his acquaintance and gladder still that he graced this world. - Posted by: Don Thomas (fan) on: Dec 11, 2023

• My sincerest condolences to Christine in the passing of Chad Allen. He was a good friend. His drummer, Gary Peterson,asked me to fill in for him at the T&C niteclub in wpg. Gary was playing jazz there & I was playing with Chad that nite. It was a blast! I’ll never forget. Chad Was one of the nicest persons I’ve ever met in my lifetime. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. It was an honor for me. - Posted by: Murray Bellavie (Musician friend, drummer(the Unnamed, Diane Heatherington)) on: Dec 05, 2023

• I remember Allan Kowbell when he attended Miles Mac. Allan & The Silvertones at that time were rocking strong as our High School band! I've lived in Florida for about 2/3 of my life under a different last name. I remember when he gave up the Guess Who & returned to Winnipeg. Sorry to hear of his passing. - Posted by: Diane Epsen (Friend) on: Dec 04, 2023

• Sorry to hear of Allan's passing. I knew him under his original name of Kowbel. I met him thru my friend Bob Ashley in '59. I can remember spending many a Saturday at the Kowbel's house while the original line up of the Silvertones practiced. As I was one of the few who owned my car weekends would find me jamming it full of musicians an instruments and driving to various venues where they were performing The place I liked to go was the old roller rink at Winnipeg beach. I drove the band as they evolved until I left for Edmonton in '62 - Posted by: GEORGE SOPPET (FRIEND) on: Dec 03, 2023

• Thank you for the wonderful memories, Chad. May you rest in peace. - Posted by: Sue (An Adoring Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• So sorry to hear of your passing. - Posted by: Brian Timlixk (Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I was deeply saddened to hear of Chad's passing. I grew up in Winnipeg attending community club and school dances in the '60's where Allan and the Silvertones/Chad Allan and the Reflections/Chad Allan and the Expressions were a big part of that scene. It was fun to watch as the Guess Who talent developed. He was a very talented musician and songwriter. It is rare to encounter such humility and talent in one musician. My deepest condolences to Christine. RIP Chad - Posted by: Val Bishop (fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I never met the man but I remember the dances at the Northwood Community Club and stuff... Shakin' All Over was a staple... Thanks to Chad The Guess Who became one of the most famous bands in the world and put Winnipeg on the musical map.... I did some digging when I heard this news today and found some pretty awesome fairly recent vids on YouTube of Chad playing it... He had it until the end! Thank You... - Posted by: Tim Jaskow (Just an old man who remembers the community club dances) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I am a Winnipeg resident who "grew up" hearing Chad Allen perform regularly, just down the street at the River Height Community Club (which is still there). My twin brother and I were in our mid-teens when we first witnessed all of his bands—"Reflections,"Expressions","Guess Who,"—perform. I was always at the front of the stage, only 3 of 4 feet from the band. This was THE rock band in Winnipeg: They were in a league ALL their own. They were sort of Winnipeg's "Beatlemania". I rarely missed a performance. It was so sad when Chad Allen left the band. But he later formed another great band, "Brave Belt" with Randy Bachman. What a gift this humble, kind, talented man was to Winnipeg and the music scene. Chad Allen is an icon who will forever shine in rock music history. - Posted by: Andy Stout (Fan of him since the beginning, weh he was in the singer in the "Expressions" and "Reeflections"") on: Dec 02, 2023

• As a young teenager Alan excelled with the accordion winning many music festival concerts as the Playhouse Theatre. Around age 15 we attended house parties in his parents basement. From the beginning the music was exceptional. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Glen Ash (High School Friend - Miles MacDonell) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I remember Allan well when we shared 2 classes at United College, 66-67. He was quiet & humble with a slow infectious smile. I got to dance to Chad & his band in the early 60s when they played a Fri night dance at S Hts Community Club. Shakin’ All Over was definitely a crowd pleaser. - Posted by: Maggie Carr aka Marg Leslie (United College classmate 66/67) on: Dec 02, 2023

• Think it was the Reflections who played at an Air Cadet shindig when I was a teen. Played several Chad Allan and the Reflections songs this morning as a tribute on our Saturday Morning radio show on CKUW FM. - Posted by: Ron Robinson (Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• Essentially, Chad Allan was and still is a Winnipeg Rock Legend and a veritable Canadian Music Legend. He was also a decent, friendly, hard-working, talented, and creative pop music artist. BTW/ His many vocals, playing, and songwriting can still be heard today on the 3 earliest Guess Who and Brave Belt albums (on CD). For many Winnipeg kids of the 1960s and '70s, Chad will be fondly remembered for the innumerable dances and concerts he played locally (which included many British Invasion songs), for his appearances on CBC Winnipeg tv, and for his historic importance as the first big-name rock star on the Winnipeg music scene. I will dust off "Shy Guy", one of his classic tunes, and play it in memory of him today. My sincere condolences to Christine and Chad's family. - Posted by: Richard Davies (1960s-70s Chad fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I never got to personally meet Chad, but I did have the opportunity some years back to have a rather lengthy telephone conversation with him. I found him a very nice guy, very easy to speak with, who had some interesting stories to share. I surprised him a bit when I told him one of my favorite songs of his was "Spending My Time" and that I owned the 45 back in the early 70s. He was quite pleased. RIP Chad - and thanks for the music. - Posted by: Stone Wallace (Friend) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I will never forget while I was at University (U of M) I joined my father for a Rotary Club father & Son luncheon and the entertainment was Chad Allan & the Expressions (or was it Reflections?). They were all very young (my age) and really just getting started. The band was awesome!!! I was blown away. I have followed them ever since. Missed Chad whom I thought was the band's leader initially and although I have many of their record albums I recently went back to download the early ones that included Chad Allan; I still like these best. Winnipeg & the Canadian music world have lost a wonderful person/musician. Condolences to his family and to remaining members of The Guess Who. - Posted by: Arnold Zeal (fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• Thank you for your inspiration to a generation through music. Your legacy will live forever. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Willy Cole (Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• Thank you for your inspiration to a generation through music. Your legacy will live forever. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Willy Cole (Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023

• I am so sorry, to hear of Chad’s passing. I knew him as Allan when we were child neighbours on Talbot Avenue in Winnipeg. I could hear his accordion practicing from his home next door. As kids we played together. In the 1960’s, Winnipeg was a hotbed for bands. The bands would play at high school dances. One night, at our high school, Allan and The Silvertones performed. A few years later, at college, we were in the same class, waiting for the class to start. Allan approached me and asked,” Did you used to live on Talbot Avenue.” So, we reconnected for that one year. He had a quiet, kind manner. A loss for Winnipeg and Canada. May his memory be eternal. - Posted by: Richard Graboski (Former neighbour and student colleague at college) on: Dec 02, 2023

• Thank you for your music, much respect and condolences to family and friends - Posted by: Janice Morin (Fan) on: Dec 02, 2023