Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods

In 1981 the world was on the brink of change. Punk had given birth to a new wave of modern music and MTV was ready to launch. All across America, music flowed from the clubs with an energy that had been missing for years. Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods, along with Johnny and The Distractions, ushered in a new era of originality and professionalism to the Portland music scene. Billy’s songs and the band’s presentation drew from the swagger of the Rolling Stones, the modernism of David Bowie propelled by the rhythms of Jamaican SKA and Reggae music. Billy called this music Boom Chuck Rock.• May ’81 - Before the Gods played their first gig, they captured the media’s attention and were heralded as “The Next Big Thing.” Early shows were a resounding success. The band exceeded the hype. The band consistently played to packed houses throughout its career. • September ’81 - Billy Rancher was diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer. 30-days after major surgery, Billy was back. The audiences grew, spreading north to Seattle and opening for top acts including Peter Tosh, The Stray Cats, Adam Ant and The Tubes • August '82 – “Boom Chuck Rock Now!” The Unreal Gods first album is released. • October '82 - The band travels to the East Coast, recording at New York’s legendary Power Station studios at the suggestion of Bruce Springsteen, who was impressed with the band’s live show. • February '83 – The band films its first video “Police Told Me”. • August '83 – Arista Records President Clive Davis flies to Portland to catch the Gods in front of a sold-out hometown audience. Billy Rancher is signed to Arista. • July '84 – Billy and the band travel to Los Angeles to record their first release for Arista. During recording, Billy falls ill and is diagnosed with a relapse of the cancer. Production is put on hold. • December 2nd, 1986 – Billy Rancher succumbs to the cancer he fought so bravely against. • June '96 – “Rocky Road: The legendary life and times of Billy Rancher” by NW author Bill Reader is published. • December '01 – Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods are the first artists to be inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. • February '07 – The Unreal Gods reunite to a sold-out show at Duff’s Garage. • October '07 - The Unreal Gods perform for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.----- BILLY RANCHER & THE UNREAL GODS THE LAST OF THE ROCKERS!
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