Chilliwack emerged from Vancouver, British Columbia, debuting in 1961 as house band the C-FUN Classics for CFUN AM radio. They also released several early singles as The Classics and The Canadian Classics. In 1966, the group renamed themselves “The Collectors”. In 1968, The Collectors released their self-titled debut album and provided soundtrack music for three Canadian films over the next two years. When lead vocalist Howie Vickers departed in 1969, the remaining members, including Bill Henderson (lead guitar and vocals, keyboards), Claire Lawrence (saxophone, flute, keyboards, harmonica, vocals), Glenn Miller (bass, vocals) and Ross Turney (drums) rebranded themselves as Chilliwack. The band’s name comes from the Halq’eméylem word “Ts’elxwéyeqw” which elder Albert Louie, of Yakweakwioose, talked about it meaning “as going as far as you can go upriver”. Halq’eméylem is the traditional language of the St?:lo (People of the River). Chilliwack is also a city in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Initially, Chilliwack pursued a progressive rock sound, imbued with folk, jazz, blues, and psychedelic elements. Their early works – including their debut album “Chilliwack” aka “The Mask Album” (1970) (featuring the single “Rain-O”) and the double LP “Chilliwack” (1971) - reflect these experimental roots. Claire Lawrence left the band in 1971, and Howard Froese joined in 1973. By the mid 1970s, their style transitioned into a more accessible hard rock/pop-rock direction. Tracks like “Lonesome Mary” (1971), “Ground Hog” (1972), “Crazy Talk” (1974), “There’s Something I Like About That” (1974), “Baby Blue” (1976) and “Fly At Night (In The Morning We Land)” (1976) became mainstream Canadian hits. During the making of the album “Lights From The Valley” (1978), Brian MacLeod joined the band and Glenn Miller, Ross Turney and Howard Froese departed. The late 1970s were turbulent: Mushroom Records, their label, went bankrupt. Bill Henderson and Brian MacLeod persevered and recruited bassist Ab Bryant. This lineup (Henderson, MacLeod, Bryant) produced the 1981 album “Wanna Be A Star”, featuring the hit “My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)” – a number 1 song in Canada and charting in the top 40 in the U.S. They followed up in 1982 with “Opus X”, which included the Canadian and U.S. hit “Whatcha Gonna Do (When I’m Gone)”. Both Henderson and MacLeod earned a Juno Award for “Producer Of The Year” for their work on the album. Brian MacLeod and Ab Bryant exited in 1983 to focus on their other band Headpins, while Henderson continued Chilliwack with studio musicians, releasing “Look In Look Out” (1984). The band disbanded by 1988. After a hiatus, Henderson revived Chilliwack in 1997–98 for live tours; the band is still touring in 2025. Henderson received a Special Achievement Award from SOCAN in 2014 and was made a “Member Of The Order Of Canada” in 2015 for his contributions to music and advocacy. Chilliwack was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame in 2019 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023. Their songs not only defined Canadian classic rock but also achieved notable U.S. chart success. Chilliwack’s journey reflects a resilient and creative spirit, led by Bill Henderson’s vision and adaptability. From their psych-rock roots to power-pop masterpieces, they forged a legacy in Canadian music - and beyond. After the release of the album “Dreams, Dreams, Dreams" in 1976, a Rolling Stone review stated: “At their best, Chilliwack was the finest Canadian rock band, outrocking B.T.O. (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) …” (The Rolling Stone Record Guide. Edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson. First edition. New York: Random House, 1979).