Neil , Rollie (kneeling), Bumper , Ed (sitting), Rick (chair)
The Uptown Band from Downtown Cape Breton
A Brief History:
Neil, Rollie, Bumper, Sheldon and a fellow student by the name of Donald MacDonald were students at Thompson High North Sydney, who got together originally to play guitar for the 1964 Christmas school concert.
Donald MacDonald dropped out and the others stayed together to form a band.
Richard Evans from Sydney was invited to the next session at Rollie's home as lead guitarist.
That was the final ingredient needed to get the band off and running. Not only could this "fret master" pick a Venture's tune he could pick all the albums. Practices now moved to Richard's home on Thursday nights. Two songs were chosen and the session didn't end until the sound met everyone's satisfaction. The extra bonus in having Rich was his keen business sense. He clearly understood that the music business was that-a business and had to be treated as such. Whether it was pricing a dance in East Margaree or the merits of playing free for a charity cause, Richard's judgement satisfied all, band members, support staff, creditors (MacKnights) and booking agents. He carried out these functions with the greatest of care and fairness to all!
His leadership and foresight greatly helped the group not only to become successful on stage, but on the financial side as well.
Billy Foote, a school friend of Rollie thought of the name of the band while watching a burger bitts tv commercial (they had a natural Burger) Sheldon's nickname (Burger) and the rest is "bitts" of history.
Sheldon left the band in 1966 and was replaced by Eddy Ivany
Bumper Bradbury left the band in the summer of 1969 to join a band called "The Wild Pack" from the mainland,where he sang,played rhythm guitar,and continued to practice the rhythm method,so I have been told.
Allen Bailey joined the band to replace Bumper. A delightful chap who sounded alot like Otis Redding.
The end came in the fall of 1969 at the Venetian Gardens. The four each stood in a separate corner of the boxing ring that was set up and admitted that with High School behind most of us, that now was the time to go our separate ways. The decision was not easy,but for sure the hardest part was going back on stage that night,and performing "The Last Time" by the Stones,knowing full well that it was.
Neil went on to further his music studies in University.
Rick went on to study Business.
Ed joined the band "Darnells" to finish his studies at Riverview High and then on to his childhood dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
Rollie and Ed did play together in different bands over the next couple of years until job prospects in other parts of Canada separated them.
Ed's first job in aviation was as an instructor in Ottawa, in 73.As luck would have it,the big city had his old friend Richard,who was still playing with different groups in the area.Guess who he called when a drummer was needed? Boy oh boy..I never thought that those Ludwigs would resound in so many places in Ontario and Quebec,from a country gig at the Russel Hotel,to the Chateau Laurier for a unique Swiss theme party, ya ,we sure did "Roll Out The Barrel" on that one !
And Bumper, well as the song goes "Down every road there's always one more city" Good luck old buddy, we sure would like to hear from you!
Update: Bumper has been found and it is sure is good to hear from you~ see you at the next reunion!
