Helix definitely gave us an R (photos)

After a chance meeting at a Kitchener, ON battle of the bands competition in 1974, the Canadian rock metal band Helix was formed.

Front man Brian Vollmer was still in high school at this point.

Although the band released it's first recording, Breaking Loose, in 1979, it wasn't until 1984's platinum-selling Walking the Razor's Edge that Helix found itself in the spotlight and sharing stage time with the likes of Motorhead, Rush, Heart, Whitesnake and Quiet Riot.

Razor's Edge brought the world signature hits Gimme Gimme Good Lovin', (Make Me Do) Anything You Want and one of the genre's most recognizable anthems, Rock You.

Still going strong, although Vollmer remains the only original band member, Helix released The Power of Rock and Roll in 2007.

The album, a throwback to the 80s metal scene but still current enough to validate the band's continued popularity, has enough head-bang power to inflict a bit of brain damage on the hardest of rockers.

Saturday night, Vollmer and his crew played to 125 Sault metal fans at the Canadian Night Club in the Knights Inn.

Wearing a t-shirt that read "Helix Kicked My A$$" on the back, Jackie vander Cliffe was by far the oldest member of the audience.

"We have our biggest Helix fan in the world here tonight," said Vollmer as he invited her on stage. "Jackie's been writing to me for years."

Unfortunately, I was unable to chat with Jackie as she spent the entire show rockin' out in the front row.

It was a spirited night of hard-hitting rock that left the fans in attendance more than happy.

Vollmer's chops remain impressively unchanged after more than 30 years in the business, no doubt due to his classical voice training.

The following is Saturday''s complete set list:

Wild In The Streets
The Kids Are All Shakin'
Heavy Metal Love
Fill Your Head With Rock
Get Up!
Heavy Metal Cowboys
Does A Fool Ever Learn
Running Wild In The 21st Century
Dirty Dog
(Make Me Do) Anything You Want
Deep Cuts The Knife
Baby Likes To Ride
Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'
Do You Believe In Rock & Roll
When The Hammer Falls
Animal House
Rock You
Dream On

Although I missed the opening set from Sault Ste. Marie's Stillbroke, all reports attest to the young band's ability to rock with the best of 'em.

For more information about Helix, visit the official website where every song from every album is available for your listening pleasure.

The site also contains an interesting and often humourous "Facts" section.

This Friday, July 25, the Canadian Night Club is pleased to bring back the keepers of NuFunktonia, Toronto's God Made Me Funky.

Doors open at 10 p.m.