THE QUID are a cool rock band that gained success during the Garage Band era in Winnipeg. My husband, Bill, is the very young lead guitar player seen standing in the middle of the photo holding his Gretseh electric guitar. A careful look shows an imitation shrunken head hanging over the drum to suggest edginess in their music. The band went through several stages as it evolved. My husband composed the instrumental Mersyside that can be heard here inspired by the British/American music invasion of the 60's.Other members of The Quid (as seen sitting in the photo) are drummer Lenny Fidkalo on the left, bass player Morley Nichols on the right and guitarist Colin Palmer in the middle who remains my husband's lifelong friend.
Sadly, Ron Rene the lead singer standing next to my husband passed away suddenly a few years ago. Ron's voice can be heard singing Crazy Things here. Ironically, when Ron took a break from the music scene in his prime, the famed Guess Who, also from Winnipeg, wrote a song titled Friends of Mine that with hindsight might have foreshadowed Ron's too early passing with the line: " ... and fade away like Ron Rene."
Information about the Quid can be found at the Manitoba Music Museum.
Most recently, band members were surprised to discover their timeless Quid tunes were included in a compilation album of early garage rock.
When looking for a word beginning with "Q" for ABC Wednesday, The Quid came to mind as the quintessential rock group of a bygone era.
