We're planning a get together/wake for Shamrock on Sunday, July 11 at The Sands Hotel (Davie & Denman) Please share photos, stories or memories here.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Celebrating a LIfe
We're looking at Sunday, July 11 for a get together/ wake for Shamrock, probably at The Sands Hotel at Davie and Denman. We're looking for any photos, stories or memories you may have and we'd like you to share them here.
10 comments:
Jim Foster
said...
I had the opportunity to get closer than ever to "Shamrock" over this last year as we were working together most nights. He always had another way of doing things...sometimes better...sometimes just different. We are all our own Red Green ;-) His grin was infectious and we shared many a belly laugh together. He was very happy with all that was going on in his life and I will miss him being a part of mine. I've located a couple little videos which I will upload shortly. Miss ya Bill
I met Billy when I was 18 working at Yip's in Saskatoon. We kept running into each other many times over the years and had many friends in common. Although we didn't see each other often it was always as though no time had passed. I remember being in the back of his cab one particular time in Calgary and asked why people always called him Shemrock, (I was a bit drunk) he said it was because of what he did. I was very confused because I didn't know what a Shemrock was and what it had to do with being a roadie. So I persisted in asking why they called him Shemrock. He said because of what he was doing. I asked what he was doing? He said driving a cab. I said okay but why Shemrock, he said he was driving a cab. I asked again, okay but what the heck is a shemrock? He said "its not shemrock, its Shamrock because it's Shamrocks cabs"! (he was very patient with me!) We had a good laugh and I felt really silly but I never forgot and always thought of him forever after as Billy Shamrock Ellis! Anytime I got to see him was always joyful! I will always remember Billy and remember his good heart and his spirit!
Well I had the opportunity to hang out with Bill on only a few occasions, but we really got along well. He was the type of guy who I instantly felt comfortable with and enjoyed talking to. He invited us to watch fireworks from a friends boat, he came to our house parties and most recently we got a chance to see each other at a Chilliwack concert. During intermission we stepped outside for a while:) We had alot of laughs as the sun set by the harbour. I snapped a photo of him. He has a huge smile, he's waving the peace sign as if to say goodbye, while the sun set behind him over the marina. I thought it a very compelling photo. I will try and upload it.. Even though I only hung out with him rarely I am so saddened by his passing. He was a super nice guy and I will miss him. Therefore, I know how hard it must be for his longtime friends and family. I am sorry for your loss. Peace for Bill
It's winter,1981,New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and we're on the road with the Villains. I don't remember the name of the club. But later the local Pizza joint, invited us to a lesson in making dough, the real kind. William Roadie Bill could spin that pizza dough in the air like nobody's business. That was him, he could do anything it took to make a living. It's the same winter we all drove across the country doing college gigs and Billy stuffed cardboard over the engine of a Ryder to keep it from freezing. It didn't work but what an idea. I am so sad today but I really hope he went with his boots on.
I first met Bill back in the Fosterchild days when he came to work for us as a part of our notorious road crew. (The Best in The West!!) Some nights things were great and some not so great..as she goes in the music biz. Even on those not so great nights, there was Bill behind the sound system...Heneken in hand...thumbs up and a huge smile on his face. All you had to do was look to your left and there he was..Heineken in hand...thumbs up and huge smile on his face. That memory will always stay with me. Luv ya Bill...Sail on...your friend Wando
Bill"shamrock"Ellis,I will always be grateful for your friendship,and remember your smiling face. Bill was still loading and unloading my Hammond/Leslie from time to time,and was a great roadie and friend,and will be missed,but never forgotten. Taken from us too soon......I'll always remember the Baldry 60th birthday at the Commodore,Bill was stage manager,and did a splendid job.
Here's a recent memory from Cecile Larochelle.... I had the great good fortune of sitting between Bill and Paul Hovan to witness/enjoy the Chilliwack reunion concert a few weeks back. Bill and I were laughing and giggling like kids thru the concert. The best memory is when I came up with some candy and when I shared with Bill he was just like a little kid getting candy. He seemed to be at a pretty good place in life and we will all miss him. Cecile Larochelle
So many good memories of this Big Hearted guy ! He loved to partcipate and like any great roadie...nothing was impossible...let's just do it! He had this impish twinkle of a smile that implied he was in on a great joke but wasn't going to share it. At my 60th B'day he was reluctant to take down the Penthouse's stripper pole from center stage because he was sure Foster or Norm Foot could really use it as a prop. He was even willing to give lessons at one point in the set up. Shammy and Fish were first to arrive and last to go that day, as usual. We shared many nights at Carderos or the Kings Head listening and hanging with Jim Foster whose music Shammy just loved and he always pushed the "tour"..let's get Foster out on the road again and Jim was buying into it because of Bill's enthusiasm and friendship. Well now Shammy has a new bunch of musoids to take care of and what a cast they are up there in Rock n' Roll heaven. Fair winds my friend we'll all be seeing ya later so make sure the stage is set!!
Loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and close friend to many passed away peacefully in Vancouver BC on June 23rd after a brief illness. A music instrument technician, stage manager, and avid sailor, Bill led a full and happy life. He traveled extensively with numerous noted Canadian and international rock bands since the early 80’s. He was a great reader of books and a keen story teller who brought laughter to many in his life. A quick witted, humorous and caring man, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He will be in our hearts forever..
From the Vancouver Province Sunday July 4th, 2010
Bill toured with Doucette, The Villains, Payolas, Chilliwack, ZZ Top, LoverBoy, Fosterchild and more. Somehow the world is less bright for me after june 23rd, 2010 – I miss you big time Wild Bill and I know you are up there backstage in Heaven putting things in their places and getting a space ready for the rest of your team and making sure our names are on the backstage door list:-) Your pal,
I met Shamrock (Bill) way back in 1977 - 1978 in Calgary, we used to hang out quite a bit in those days . . . although I saw him rarely in later years it was always great to catch up and I will always have a special place in my heart for him. I will miss his infectious grin and great sense of humour.
Those we love are always with us, their laughter and their wisdom, their advice and thoughtfulness are gifts of love that are ours to keep. They fill our hearts with memories that will comfort us always . . .
10 comments:
I had the opportunity to get closer than ever to "Shamrock" over this last year as we were working together most nights. He always had another way of doing things...sometimes better...sometimes just different. We are all our own Red Green ;-)
His grin was infectious and we shared many a belly laugh together. He was very happy with all that was going on in his life and I will miss him being a part of mine. I've located a couple little videos which I will upload shortly. Miss ya Bill
I met Billy when I was 18 working at Yip's in Saskatoon. We kept running into each other many times over the years and had many friends in common. Although we didn't see each other often it was always as though no time had passed. I remember being in the back of his cab one particular time in Calgary and asked why people always called him Shemrock, (I was a bit drunk) he said it was because of what he did. I was very confused because I didn't know what a Shemrock was and what it had to do with being a roadie. So I persisted in asking why they called him Shemrock. He said because of what he was doing. I asked what he was doing? He said driving a cab. I said okay but why Shemrock, he said he was driving a cab. I asked again, okay but what the heck is a shemrock? He said "its not shemrock, its Shamrock because it's Shamrocks cabs"! (he was very patient with me!) We had a good laugh and I felt really silly but I never forgot and always thought of him forever after as Billy Shamrock Ellis! Anytime I got to see him was always joyful! I will always remember Billy and remember his good heart and his spirit!
Well I had the opportunity to hang out with Bill on only a few occasions, but we really got along well. He was the type of guy who I instantly felt comfortable with and enjoyed talking to. He invited us to watch fireworks from a friends boat, he came to our house parties and most recently we got a chance to see each other at a Chilliwack concert. During intermission we stepped outside for a while:) We had alot of laughs as the sun set by the harbour. I snapped a photo of him. He has a huge smile, he's waving the peace sign as if to say goodbye, while the sun set behind him over the marina. I thought it a very compelling photo. I will try and upload it.. Even though I only hung out with him rarely I am so saddened by his passing. He was a super nice guy and I will miss him. Therefore, I know how hard it must be for his longtime friends and family. I am sorry for your loss.
Peace for Bill
It's winter,1981,New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and we're on the road with the Villains. I don't remember the name of the club. But later the local Pizza joint, invited us to a lesson in making dough, the real kind. William Roadie Bill could spin that pizza dough in the air like nobody's business. That was him, he could do anything it took to make a living.
It's the same winter we all drove across the country doing college gigs and Billy stuffed cardboard over the engine of a Ryder to keep it from freezing. It didn't work but what an idea. I am so sad today but I really hope he went with his boots on.
I first met Bill back in the Fosterchild days when he came to work for us as a part of our notorious road crew. (The Best in The West!!)
Some nights things were great and some not so great..as she goes in the music biz.
Even on those not so great nights, there was Bill behind the sound system...Heneken in hand...thumbs up and a huge smile on his face.
All you had to do was look to your left and there he was..Heineken in hand...thumbs up and huge smile on his face.
That memory will always stay with me.
Luv ya Bill...Sail on...your friend Wando
Bill"shamrock"Ellis,I will always be
grateful for your friendship,and remember your smiling face.
Bill was still loading and unloading my Hammond/Leslie from time to time,and was a great roadie and friend,and will be missed,but never forgotten.
Taken from us too soon......I'll
always remember the Baldry 60th birthday at the Commodore,Bill was
stage manager,and did a splendid job.
Here's a recent memory from Cecile Larochelle....
I had the great good fortune of sitting between Bill and Paul Hovan to witness/enjoy the Chilliwack reunion concert a few weeks back. Bill and I were laughing and giggling like kids thru the concert. The best memory is when I came up with some candy and when I shared with Bill he was just like a little kid getting candy. He seemed to be at a pretty good place in life and we will all miss him.
Cecile Larochelle
So many good memories of this Big Hearted guy ! He loved to partcipate and like any great roadie...nothing was impossible...let's just do it! He had this impish twinkle of a smile that implied he was in on a great joke but wasn't going to share it. At my 60th B'day he was reluctant to take down the Penthouse's stripper pole from center stage because he was sure Foster or Norm Foot could really use it as a prop. He was even willing to give lessons at one point in the set up. Shammy and Fish were first to arrive and last to go that day, as usual. We shared many nights at Carderos or the Kings Head listening and hanging with Jim Foster whose music Shammy just loved and he always pushed the "tour"..let's get Foster out on the road again and Jim was buying into it because of Bill's enthusiasm and friendship. Well now Shammy has a new bunch of musoids to take care of and what a cast they are up there in Rock n' Roll heaven.
Fair winds my friend we'll all be seeing ya later so make sure the stage is set!!
William Alexander Ellis (aka Shamrock)
Loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and close friend to many passed away peacefully in Vancouver BC on June 23rd after a brief illness. A music instrument technician, stage manager, and avid sailor, Bill led a full and happy life. He traveled extensively with numerous noted Canadian and international rock bands since the early 80’s. He was a great reader of books and a keen story teller who brought laughter to many in his life. A quick witted, humorous and caring man, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He will be in our hearts forever..
From the Vancouver Province Sunday July 4th, 2010
Bill toured with Doucette, The Villains, Payolas, Chilliwack, ZZ Top, LoverBoy, Fosterchild and more.
Somehow the world is less bright for me after june 23rd, 2010 – I miss you big time Wild Bill and I know you are up there backstage in Heaven putting things in their places and getting a space ready for the rest of your team and making sure our names are on the backstage door list:-)
Your pal,
Dan Cowan
I met Shamrock (Bill) way back in 1977 - 1978 in Calgary, we used to hang out quite a bit in those days . . . although I saw him rarely in later years it was always great to catch up and I will always have a special place in my heart for him. I will miss his infectious grin and great sense of humour.
Those we love are always with us, their laughter and their wisdom, their advice and thoughtfulness are gifts of love that are ours to keep. They fill our hearts with memories that will comfort us always . . .
Jo Silverthorn
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