Remembering Cal Batchelor December 20, 2015

Cal has been a long time fixture in the music scene both here and in the UK.
Born Calvin Batchelor, he was a fantastic Canadian guitarist (also a skilled keyboardist).
Cal went to England in 1969, and he helped form Quiver. They were the first group to play at Rainbow Theatre in London (supporting The Who). After leaving Quiver, Cal formed a band called 747. He then joined Long John Baldry for a while (as supporters for Faces). There, he met Ronnie Lane, joining his band later.
In February 1977, Cal formed another notable band called Kicks. In the 80s, Cal returned to Canada. He fronted his own Cal Batchelor Band for a number of years in Vancouver. The lineup included:
Cal Batchelor (guitar, vocals)
Trevor Newman (bass)
Robbie King (keyboards)
Jimmy Ferguson and Jerry Adolphe (drums)

Cal also released a solo album. Discography:
Live at the Rock Shop (only available on cassette)
Now playing (Nov 97)
There's also a collective album called West coast blues party, vol. I, including two songs ('Someday you're gonna need me' and 'She can't be trusted' performed by Cal Batchelor).

Now playing, is a great album. Cal does some superb singing and guitar playing, and the band is also great. Superb Hammond work, and some tracks have a guest horn section.
In his career, especially in the UK, Cal did a lot of session work and appeared on a number of recordings with such other notable musicians such as Mike Oldfield, Nio, Nigel Ollson, Ian Matthews, Richard Thompson, Ronnie Lane, Al Stewart and many more.
Cal moved back to Victoria and, most recently, he had been working with Victoria musicians Les Weiss, David Gray and Paul Wainwright doing some live performances, such as the 2015 Victoria Blues Society’s Bluestravaganza as well as some recording.

Cal’s beloved wife Yvonne passed away in recent weeks from cancer, and Cal certainly missed her in his life. Cal passed away on Sunday December 20, 2015.

We will miss Cal and remember his contributions to the musical world and as a good friend. Written by the Victoria Blues Society.