It goes like this: millions of records, a couple of dozen hits, sold-out coliseums across Canada, and a JUNO Award for Band of the Year. The Vancouver Sun called them “Canadian rock heroes of the first order… the best-performing band in Canada.”
The great reviews continue. In 2009, Peter Assaff of the Northern Light hailed Ra McGuire and Brian Smith as “the Canadian version of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards” and Joel Rubinoff of The Record wrote: “ …this frolicking, rollicking showcase for McGuire’s soaring pop melodies and whimsical wordplay is arguably one of the biggest Canadian bands of all time.”
What makes Trooper what they are is great performances and great pop songwriting.
“We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”, “Raise a Little Hell”, “The Boys in the Bright White Sportscar”, “Two For the Show”, “Pretty Lady” “Good Ol’ General Hand Grenade” “Round, Round We Go”, “Santa Maria” “Janine” – a few of the Trooper hits that, according to writer Ryan Sparks: “have weaved their way into the fabric of this country like no other band’s have been able to do. Tune into any radio station from Vancouver to St John’s and you’re bound to encounter one of their dozen hit radio anthems still featured in heavy rotation today.”
Trooper’s ten studio albums have earned multiple gold and platinum awards and their 6 X Platinum greatest hits album; “Hot Shots” remains one of Universal Music Canada’s best-selling catalogue CDs and one of the country’s most enduring party soundtracks.
Dan Brisbois of canadianbands.com writes: “They’ve won practically every Canadian music award possible and they’ve been dubbed ‘Canada’s Greatest Party Band’ … and rightfully so.” In 2009, Bob Mersereau, author of “The Top 100 Canadian Albums” wrote: ”Since it came out in 1979, Trooper’s Hot Shots has been one of the biggest-selling albums in Canadian music history. It has gone six times platinum, and sells consistently, as do tickets to Trooper gigs. There are clubs and festivals across the country where the annual Trooper show is practically an official holiday.” Indeed, Trooper continues to dependably sell out shows across the country – often performing for three generations of fans – demonstrating that the band and its music remain timeless.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Trooper has become a Canadian legend. They continue to perform their huge collection of hits with the vitality and sense of humour that has served them well on their steady march through the hills and valleys of Canadian Rock and Roll.
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