Stampeders

Formed in Calgary, Canada, in the mid-1960s, the Stampeders gradually established themselves as a rock trio—Rich Dodson, Ronnie King, and Kim Berly—after starting out with a larger lineup. The Stampeders’ music moves between rock, pop rock, and country rock, with a marked taste for vocal harmonies and arrangements that blend electric guitars with acoustic touches. Based on the Toronto scene at the end of the 1960s, the musicians played numerous club gigs and took part in the Canadian rock revival of the early 1970s. Their debut album, Against the Grain, released in 1971, defined their sound and included the song Sweet City Woman, which cemented the Stampeders’ reputation beyond Canada. It was followed the same year by Carryin’ On, then by Rubber Stampeders in 1972, where the trio further emphasized the blend of rock, ballads, and country influences. Throughout the decade, the Stampeders toured North America, made television appearances, and recorded, occasionally exploring funkier or harder-edged sounds and collaborating with broadcaster Wolfman Jack on a cover of Hit the Road Jack. After a quieter period in the late 1970s, the Stampeders regrouped around the original core and have continued to perform on festival stages and in venues devoted to the classic rock repertoire.