Album flashback

Prism - Young And Restless [1980]

We celebrate another Vancouver band now with Prism, who like their fellow citizens Trooper, had more 70s hits than 80s ones.

Nevertheless, they’ve left an indelible mark on CanCon music - sometimes as Prism, but also with future projects.

Taking a look at the original ‘77 lineup is like a ‘who’s who’ of the west coast scene.

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Core trio John Hall (keys), Lindsay Mitchell (guitar, vocals), and Ron Tabak (lead vocals) are all in place.

Tom Keenlyside (horns) and Tom Lavin (guitar, vocals) would soon depart for Lavin’s Powder Blues project. Bassist Ab Bryant would soon be recruited to Chillwack and Headpins.

Also on horns was soon to be legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn, making his debut behind the mixing desk here before helming Prism’s next four projects. We lost Bruce and his trumpet far too early, in 1999.

Finally we see Rodney Higgs, a nom de plume for none other than Jim Vallance - you likely know him from his partnership with another Vancouverite, Bryan Adams.

Spaceship Superstar - peaked #63, 1977

Penned by Higgs (Vallance) their debut single has always been my favourite. Played here at the legendary Mosport gig before more than 100,000.

It has just the right amount of cowbell, and is likely the best road song about an interplanetary tour.

Armageddon - peaked #23, 1979

Following the departures of all of the above noted, our core trio had to retool for the recording of the ‘Armageddon’ record.

Mitchell and Hall became the primary songwriters (with some help from young Bryan Adams) and the group settled into what’s seen as the classic lineup through the additions of Al Harlow (bass) and Rocket Norton (drums).

Three singles were dropped, notably the title track which juxtaposes the death of Elvis Presley with a nuclear apocalypse. Cheery stuff!

Young And Restless - peaked #14, 1980

Forced to a new label due to the failure of GRT, the ‘Young And Restless’ project was the first for new label Capitol.

This record saw Al Harlow play a bigger role in the songwriting with ongoing support from Mitchell. But trouble was brewing.

Management were concerned with Tabak’s inconsistent performance due to ongoing substance issues, as well as his inability to contribute more creatively. He was sacked and replaced prior to the next recording project.

The two subsequent projects did not fare well, particularly the final effort ‘Beat Street’ which was effectively a solo record by replacement vocalist Henry Small.

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Prism fans wanted a reunion, and they wanted Ron Tabak. And, the plans were afoot. But tragedy was about to strike and stop the rejoining of forces.

At Christmas 1984 Tabak and Harlow were planning a festive get together after not connecting for a while. Tabak, now a big cyclist, got clipped by a car during his snowy bike journey and hit his head on the curb. He was not wearing a helmet and was likely impaired.

Brought to the hospital, he was misdiagnosed, arrested, and incarcerated. Meanwhile, a brain hemorrhage was developing and surgery was required. It did not come in time, and the singer passed away on Christmas Day.

This incident prompted a major policy change regarding how first responders in Vancouver would treat head trauma going forward.

The band and many original members still tour occasionally and released new music last in 2008. Their legacy, especially on the west coast, remains.