In the seventies, Sweeney Todd’s Juno Award-winning hit Roxy Roller became a Canadian classic rock anthem.
This Saturday, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Nick Gilder returns to Taber for Cornstock ‘26.
Other hits by the band include Hot Child in the City, Here Comes the Night and The Warrior, which was recorded by Scandal in the eighties.
The Nick Gilder Sweeney Todd Group was in Taber for Cornfest last year.
“That was really fun. Beautiful summer night and a lot of people having a good time. That’s what this is all about. A little bit of nostalgia and showing people a good time,” said Gilder.
Cornstock is going to be the same, Gilder added. “It’s a lot of rock. From start to finish. I hope they’re in the mood for non-stop rock.”
During the summer months, Gilder and the band perform live at mostly summer music festivals, while sharing the stage with fellow Canadian rockers. “It’s all an adventure. I’m really happy to be able to do this. It’s still fun. I’m still having a good time.”
“We’ve played with pretty much everyone at one time or another on the festival circuit. It’s a blast. You make friends,” Gilder noted.
Having lifelong fans is also something to celebrate, especially seeing familiar faces out in the crowd year after year singing the hits.
“Fans are so supportive. Doing it this long is heartwarming to me that the fans still come out,” Gilder said. “It’s the soundtrack of our life. All those songs from that era, rock or not. It takes you back.”
People love to hear the old tunes, Gilder explained. “They sing along. They know the words. It’s a party.
Gilder said everyone, including fans of the band, should just have fun and live their lives “Use every minute. Try to stay healthy. You wake up one day and a lot of years have gone by, so celebrate it.”
Cornstock ‘26 runs Thursday to Saturday, and also features Colin James, Big Wreck and Honeymoon Suite.
For a full list of performers, dates and times, check out spiderentertainment.ca.
