Public Life / The Connection
Front Row L-R: Glenn Gray, Rick Simpson
Glenn first met Rick Simpson when they were both attending Grant McEwan College in the mid 1970’s. In 1983, they reconnected when Rick was putting a band together through a music club at the University of Alberta. When the University rehearsal space was no longer available, Glenn and Rick rented a house with another friend, Kevin Stefura. They auditioned more players and contacted Glenn’s longtime drummer friend Doug Blackley. “Public Life” was formed. The band toured throughout Alberta and B.C. playing in a variety of clubs and bars for ten months. The band was just starting to work on original music when the group disbanded.
Glenn and Rick played together again in 1986. They formed a trio with Ron Rococo, who had also studied music with Glenn at Grant McEwan. They called their trio “The Connection”. The group consisted of Glenn on guitar/vocals, Rick on bass/vocals, and Ron on keyboards/vocals, playing along to prerecorded tracks with drums. They played a variety of top 40 and commercial songs and were booked primarily through Banks Agency. In the spring, Rick left the group to work with Glenn’s brother Brent at Extra Extra in Hub Mall. Glenn and Ron continued playing as a duo until the fall of 1986 when Glenn returned to University to complete his 2nd degree – Bachelor of Arts in harmony and theory.
