RIP … Kick Axe Guitarist Larry Gillstrom, Dead at 69

[MetalSludgeCEO]

RIP …
Kick Axe Guitarist Larry Gillstrom, Dead at 69
#larrygillstrom #kickaxe #roadtorock #metalschool #canada #regina #saskatchewan #briangillstrom #metalsludge
https://metalsludge.tv/rip-kick-axe-gui ... ead-at-69/

$ludge

[fret123]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

[Dyslexicheart]

I was born and raised in the same Province as Larry and saw Kick Axe many times. Going to put on Vices in his honour - keep on the Road to Rock!

On the Road to Rock https://youtu.be/KUiCJbwhrVk?si=NFd8rmzDc7ik_7K3

Heavy Metal Shuffle https://youtu.be/80UVIT4a5mQ?si=5IM2TYzk74Cn-STy

[dmbrocker]

I was born and raised in the same Province as Larry and saw Kick Axe many times. Going to put on Vices in his honour - keep on the Road to Rock!

On the Road to Rock https://youtu.be/KUiCJbwhrVk?si=NFd8rmzDc7ik_7K3

Heavy Metal Shuffle https://youtu.be/80UVIT4a5mQ?si=5IM2TYzk74Cn-STy

Both great songs here. RIP, Larry…

[DwightFry]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

[fret123]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

Oh yeah. Freakin at the Beacon. Although I preferred F&Js south and the Live Wire at the Carriage House. I saw Kick/Axe there numerous times. The New Year’s Eve gig at The Beacon was especially good. Lucifers, Skyroom, O’Brians, Crowchild Inn, Airliner etc. Calgary was a great scene at the time. I lived in those places and others I can’t remember now and saw a TON of great bands. What a time to have been young. Spandex babes everywhere lol.

[DwightFry]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

Oh yeah. Freakin at the Beacon. Although I preferred F&Js south and the Live Wire at the Carriage House. I saw Kick/Axe there numerous times. The New Year’s Eve gig at The Beacon was especially good. Lucifers, Skyroom, O’Brians, Crowchild Inn, Airliner etc. Calgary was a great scene at the time. I lived in those places and others I can’t remember now and saw a TON of great bands. What a time to have been young. Spandex babes everywhere lol.

Oh yeah, many great nights at Lucifer's, F & J's South and Live Wire. Are you talking about O'Briens in the York Hotel on 7th/Centre? Man, that was a sketchy joint!

[fret123]

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

Oh yeah. Freakin at the Beacon. Although I preferred F&Js south and the Live Wire at the Carriage House. I saw Kick/Axe there numerous times. The New Year’s Eve gig at The Beacon was especially good. Lucifers, Skyroom, O’Brians, Crowchild Inn, Airliner etc. Calgary was a great scene at the time. I lived in those places and others I can’t remember now and saw a TON of great bands. What a time to have been young. Spandex babes everywhere lol.

Oh yeah, many great nights at Lucifer's, F & J's South and Live Wire. Are you talking about O'Briens in the York Hotel on 7th/Centre? Man, that was a sketchy joint!

Yep with the strip joint beside it. Banana Maxx? Lol

[Dyslexicheart]

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

Oh yeah. Freakin at the Beacon. Although I preferred F&Js south and the Live Wire at the Carriage House. I saw Kick/Axe there numerous times. The New Year’s Eve gig at The Beacon was especially good. Lucifers, Skyroom, O’Brians, Crowchild Inn, Airliner etc. Calgary was a great scene at the time. I lived in those places and others I can’t remember now and saw a TON of great bands. What a time to have been young. Spandex babes everywhere lol.

Oh yeah, many great nights at Lucifer's, F & J's South and Live Wire. Are you talking about O'Briens in the York Hotel on 7th/Centre? Man, that was a sketchy joint!

Not as sketchy as The Spotlight !

[kytepunches]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

I’m from Calgary and loved F&J’s south. Kick Axe was a solid band with some down to earth , approachable guys . They knew I snuck in with a fake I.d. and thought it was hilarious, because I looked and was 14. They let me stay as long as I didn’t drink. Good times . Their first 3 albums are as solid as anyone else of the time . R.i.p to a great talent. I still live 10 blocks away from where the Live Wire used to be. It was always an easy stagger home.

[fret123]

Yeah that’s a shame. Kick-Axe had a good little run there. Vices is a classic 80s metal album. I met him as a teenager when they opened for Triumph on the Sport of Kings tour. I got to know a few of the KickAxe guys when I lived in Calgary late 80s early 90s and they were trying to find their way on the club scene again after they lost their record deal. They really got screwed over but seemed like they all found successful careers outside the music business before reuniting the band part time in recent years. Stevie I know you’re from Wisconsin like George Criston was. What a great vocalist and frontman he was by the way. Did you know any of them or cross paths? How big of a buzz did they make in your neck of the woods in 84-87? They were a solid band and cool guys

If you were in Calgary during the late 80's, you must have been familiar with Franky & Johnny's at the North Centre Inn. Kick Axe were regulars there. Remember when you walked in the back door, there was a wall lined with artist photos? When they closed, I ended up with a couple of the photos from that wall: Larry Gillstrom and Kim Mitchell. A little piece of Calgary rock bar history. Loved The Beacon!

I’m from Calgary and loved F&J’s south. Kick Axe was a solid band with some down to earth , approachable guys . They knew I snuck in with a fake I.d. and thought it was hilarious, because I looked and was 14. They let me stay as long as I didn’t drink. Good times . Their first 3 albums are as solid as anyone else of the time . R.i.p to a great talent. I still live 10 blocks away from where the Live Wire used to be. It was always an easy stagger home.

I’d love to revisit those days. Pedro The Party Pig and Jungle Jim the DJ. Awesome bar bands, The White, Steeler, Click, Plain Jane, Cannon Anny, Guy Jones Band, Witchhazel, Hells Bells, Hostage, K Lee Reich, White Wolf, Prisoner….
Jim actually has a cool YouTube channel with some stuff from back then

https://www.youtube.com/@bigjim1967