The Force 1982

Band: The Force
Year: 1982
Circa: 1977-1983

Members
Rick Rankin – guitar
Brent Hunter – bass
Pat Crone – drums
Tom Starks – keyboards

The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.

  Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981.
The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.

  With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist.
 
 About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy  that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script.  The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.
The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
 
 When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed.
Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.

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The Force in 1979

Band: The Force
Year: 1979
Circa: 1977-1983

Members in 1979
Rick Rankin – guitar
Randy Young – bass
Pat Crone – drums
Tom Starks – keyboards

 The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.

  Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981.
The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.

  With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist.
 
 About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy  that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script.  The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.  The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
 
 When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed.
Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.

_______________________

The Force 1978 Chatham Band

Band: The Force
Year: 1978
Circa: 1977-1983

Members in 1978
Rick Rankin – guitar
Randy Young – bass
Pat Crone – drums
Tom Starks – keyboards
Dave Sass – sax
 The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.

  Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981. The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.

  With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist. About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy  that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script.  The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.
  The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
 
 When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed.
Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.

____________________