Edmonton music legend enjoys the spotlight at the Arden Theatre

Barry Allen & The New Rebels are packing the Arden Theatre tonight in what could be their last performance.

Local legend Barry Allen has developed cancer and is flying to the Hyperthermia Clinic in Hannover, Germany for follow-up treatment in the spring. Until he receives a completely clean bill of health his performance future remains uncertain.

Although he’s not hiding his health issues, he is more enthused speaking about the upcoming concert and his four Rebels: Al McGree (keys/sax), Percy Marshall (guitars), Clay White (drums) and Del Chadwick (bass).

“I’m really excited about this. I’m even going to have an M.C., said Allen. “It’s Terry David Mulligan. I call him Mully. He phones me the other day and asks, ‘Who’s your M.C.? I say I don’t have one. ‘Well you do now,’ he says. ‘It’s me.’”

At this point, Allen chuckles. Mulligan is a guy who likes to get things done. An RCMP in a former life, he transitioned to radio as DJ before picking up hosting gigs in television and working as a producer for MuchMusic West. He now hosts weekly programs on CKUA and co-hosts a wine show called Hollywood & Vine with good friend Jason Priestly.

Allen tosses the names of industry heavy-hitters around as if they are close buddies and in most cases they are – guys like Norman Petty, Tommy Banks, P.J. Perry and Jerry Forbes.

The Edmonton born and raised Allen was a singer-songwriter, recording artist and touring musician long before he bought Bumstead Studios from Larry Wanagas and renamed it Homestead Records. (Wanagas left the city to manage k.d. lang’s early career.)

Shortly after graduating high school, Allen enjoyed a successful solo career with No. 1 single Lovedrops (1967) and other nationally charting tracks.

He even spent time with a band out of Seattle called Painter.

“We did a lot of touring and even opened for Steely Dan and Dr. John. But I had two little boys and I couldn’t stand being away from them.”

Today Allen is more than Edmonton’s premiere record producer and sound engineer. Sporting a shock of silver hair, he is appropriately a big part of Canada’s musical history, something not lost on the packed house saluting the local luminary tonight.

Laura Vinson, Ian Tyson, Corb Lund, Wide Mouth Mason, Paul Ritchey are just a few recording artists who have trusted their vision to Allen.

At the concert Allen and The New Rebels will perform a mix of classic rock hits and new material from his upcoming album The Speed of Dark.

The 12-track is a rootsy-blues offering much mellower than his rocker hits.

“When you’re young, you play harder. Now you hold back a bit and you sing better.”

The album, a gift to his grandchildren, was tracked in the fall of 2016 with input from some of Edmonton’s best musicians including Jamie Cooper (drums) and two St. Albert musicians – John Taylor (bass) and Gordie Matthews (guitar).

Matthews and Taylor recorded the cuts Good Things Coming, Floating Bridge, High Side and Going Down the River.

“They’re so gifted. They’re so good, so humble. I feel really fortunate to have worked with them.”

Allen hoped to finish the mixing by tonight. However, health issues and a Christmas break interfered. But he’s not letting fans down and plans serving a couple of surprises.

“I feel so fortunate to get done what I do. I feel truly blessed. I live in Edmonton and I’m proud to live here. I’ve had a good life.”