Canadian group The Quid was formed in 1964 in Winnipeg, taking their name from the British slang word for a pound note.
Their debut single, Crazy Things – a raw, raucous slice of British-style R ‘n’ B inspired by The Yardbirds and Them – was released on the local Eagle imprint in 1966 and reached just #100 in the charts. It was followed by Lover, Lover, which also charted in the Canadian Top 100 at #88.
By the end of 1966, The Quid had two records in the shops and jam-packed crowds whenever they performed in Manitoba. Everything seemed to be falling into place.
Unfortunately, the band quickly imploded when lead singer Ron Rene – who was such a stage dynamo that the Guess Who name-checked him in their acid stormer Friends of Mine (“and fade away/like Ron Rene”) – announced he was departing to join the newly formed group, The Fifth.
Though guitarists Colin Palmer and Bill Pavlik did try to hold things together, adding horns and another singer (Bobby Barton) as The New Quid, it was clear that their place in the Museum of Forgotten Bands was already being secured.
The Quid reunited in June 1987 for a concert in Manitoiba called ‘Shakin’ All Over’ with other notable acts from the Winnipeg scene, including Neil Young, Randy Bachman and CF “Fred” Turner of Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) and Burton Cummings of the Guess Who.
Ron Rene (real name Ron Kreshka) died in Vancouver on 20 August 2007 of a heart attack.
Ron Rene (Ron Kreshka)
Vocals Bill (Willard) Pavlik
Lead guitar Colin Palmer
Rhythm guitar Morley Nickles
Bass Lenny Fidkalo
Drums Al Johnson
Drums
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