A lot of county residents may be unaware of the local connection to the band Major Hoople’s Boarding House, which had some significant radio hits in the 1970s and 80s.
But bassist Keith Stahlbaum has lived for five years in Mapleton Township, between Rothsay and Moorefield.
When the band decided to reunite this summer, Stahlbaum jumped at the opportunity to play a fundraising dance on Oct. 23 at the PMD Arena in Drayton.
“We’re hoping we can do something for them,” Stahlbaum said of the Mapleton Arena Xpansion (MAX) committee.
Major Hoople’s Boarding House began in mid-1967 in Cambridge as a trio called The Shan-de-leers, featuring Rocky Howell, Peter Pandalino and Rick Riddell. Later that year they received permission from the makers of the Major Hoople comic strip to use the name and became Major Hoople’s Boarding House.
The group worked the southern Ontario bar circuit for several years, which led to their first label signing. The band, of which Stahlbaum was a member between 1973 and 1980, scored a number of radio hits in the 1970s and 80s, including Beautiful Morning, You Girl, I’m Running After You and Late Night Invitation.
The group continued to tour throughout the 1980s with different band members, but by the 90s most were playing with other groups.
“We’ve been playing, but not playing together,” said Stahlbaum. The idea to reunite came about this summer during a regular get together of former and new Hooples members.
“We just love playing … We’re going to give it a shot,” Stahlbaum said was the consensus he came to along with current members David Goodings (sax and vocals), Ed Miller (drums), Brian Tozer (guitar and vocals) and Bobby Becker (keyboards and vocals).
The group has already played gigs in Port Elgin and is booked to play there again next month, as well as on New Year’s Eve. Gigs in other locations are also being booked.
“It’s taken off like wildfire,” Stahlbaum said of the comeback.
But this time around, he explained, the band is focused on playing benefit shows and fundraisers, like the one on Saturday in Drayton to help pay for the arena addition.
“If people can benefit from this, that’s great with us,” he said. He added the band will be paid, but it is not going to take a large paycheck if the turnout is not there.
“If two people show up, we all suffer the same consequences,” he said. “We’re not in this to make a fortune; we’re doing it because we love to play and, hopefully, to help others.”
Those expecting the current version of the band to have slowed down with age, are mistaken. Stahlbaum said the group, as always, prides itself on providing entertainment and interaction, not just playing songs.
“That’s the key … we can still boogy, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “We’re all excited.”
In fact, once the group started rehearsing a little more this summer, Stahlbaum said it was like no time at all had passed.
“When you strap on the guitar and the lights go on, you feel like a teenager again,” he said.
Stahlbaum, the only member of the group not still living in the Kitchener area, is proud to take part in local fundraisers. He said there may be a possibility of another fundraiser in the township to help pay for new playground equipment at Maryborough Public School in Moorefield.
But for now the focus is on the PMD Arena fundraising dance, which starts at 9pm this Saturday.
“I’d like to see 350 people show up,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance ($15) from local businesses or by calling 519-638-7723, or at the door ($20). For more information on the band visit MySpace or Facebook.
