Public Life / The Connection
Front Row L-R: Glenn Gray, Rick Simpson
Glenn met Rick Simpson at the University Music Club in 1983. They decided to put a band together. After working with a few different musicians they formed the touring group Public Life in 1984. The band primarily focused on top 40 rock. The band members were Glenn Gray on guitar, Rick Simpson on bass, Doug Blackley on drums, Garrett Duggar on keyboards and Brian Pettigroo as lead singer. The band toured throughout Alberta and B.C. playing in a variety of clubs and bars.
The band was just starting to work on original music when they disbanded. Glenn and Rick joined up with Ron Rococo to form the trio “The Connection”. This was a smaller scale band — guitar, bass and keyboards playing over preprogrammed-drums. Rick left the Connection in 1984. Glenn and Ron continued until the summer of 1985 when Glenn returned to University to complete his 2nd degree – Bachelor of Arts in harmony and theory.
