Billy played more shows. He played his heart out, writing and vocals. The guitar was much too difficult and painful to include in his performances as Mr. Groove, so he sang on stage.
The clubs were always packed and people were always dancing, but this was different from a Billy Rancher and Unreal Gods show. Billy had something to say this time, and he was saying it in his songs. Against a reggae beat, Billy was preaching about love, peace and understanding. It was more intimate and deeply moving as he sang his message.
Billy stood occasionally, but spent most of the time sitting in his chair. When he wasn't singing, he'd turn to his drum machine and punch in commands. At times the pain was so bad, he would lay down on the stage.
But he was getting sicker and the shows began to get a macabre feeling to them. On one hand it was so beautiful, but on the other hand when the lead singer curls up on stage in pain and the rest of the band grooves on, it became hard to watch. Billy was now 130-lbs soaking wet.
It was understood that this was Billy's last chance. And everyone understood that Billy was never happier than when he was on stage, singing.
Then came the night when Karen and Billy's Mom would beg him not to go on. The other band told him their was no need...that they could do the whole night if he wasn't up to it. His reaction to them was, "I have to play...this might be my last one."
Billy made his way from the dressing room and had to stop and lay down on the floor of the same kitchen that I broke my wrist in. Everyone wondered if they should call an ambulance, but Billy insisted he was just resting.
It was a great show. Dave and John played with him that night too. Billy thanked John for playing with him all those years and said he had a great time. John knew this would be it, and that Billy was done.
After the final song was played, Billy asked Annie to come into the dressing room. Billy laid his head on her lap and they talked. He said, "Annie, I think I'm ready to go. It's just too much for me." Annie started to cry and stroked Billy's head, "I know, sweetheart."
Soon after, Billy was admitted back into the hospital. Flowers and gifts poured in. Old friends flowed in and out to visit. All these people with different problems, and they were being cheered up by Billy, who didn't know if he'd be around to talk to them tomorrow.
Billy's fishing buddy, Glen came by one day near the end and they had a talk. Tears streamed down Glen's cheeks as Billy assured him, "I'm ready, man. I've met God, I've talked to God. I'm ready."
Billy continued, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd take my chances with the cancer...let cancer kill me. Look what chemotherapy has done to me. What could be more frustrating for me than not being able to move, not being able to play my guitar. Man, I'd rather die than take the chemo." Glen held his friends hand as he spoke.
Billy was trying to convince himself that it was okay to let go, but he'd been fighting cancer for so long, it was a hard habit to break. Billy's Mom came in to be with him. She noticed his breathing was getting slower and more labored. As she massaged his hands, Billy turned his head to look at her and said, "Good night Mom....Mom..." She leaned close and whispered, "Yes, Billy." He looked up and smiled. "I'm sorry." And Billy closed his eyes for the last time.
For two days, Billy was in a coma. His mom kept a vigil, talking to him about everything. Billy couldn't share her laughter or tears, but she was sure he could hear her. She wanted to make sure Billy knew he was not alone.
On Tuesday morning, December 2nd, Billy's Mom told him, "It's all right, Billy. I'm sorry you hurt so bad. It's okay to go now. We'll be all right." A few minutes later, the room got quiet. Billy wasn't breathing anymore. At 9:15am, his body finally gave out on him.
His Mom picked up a carnation from a bouquet and laid it on his chest. His Mom thought she could make out a faint smile on Billy's face.
Billy's sister was sleeping down the hall in a waiting room with Karen. When she woke up, the sun shined through a window, filling the room with light. She knew as soon as she sat up that Billy wasn't with her anymore. A nurse came into the room and told them that Billy was dead.
The cause of death was liver failure due to lymphatic cancer. The hospital received hundreds of calls that day. All of the callers were hoping to console Karen and his Mom and just to let someone know how much they would miss Billy.
Billy's funeral crowded St. Mary's Cathedral with over 300 people. Two of Billy's songs were played over the loudspeaker. One was, My Life: "My life is a picture book I know it's worth a second look," and The Big Picture: "And in the big picture, the picture, the fear of dying is only life."
Billy's grave is marked by a flat, grey rectangular stone with his likeness from the chest, up and musical notes etched in white lettering, with the words:
Billy Rancher
1957-1986
I'm Walking Down a Rocky Road For You
I will include some tributes others have written. All of them are beautiful and honor his memory in the most touching ways.
A Story from Billings News in Montana 5-years ago:
Billy Rancher tribute
When I visited the Rose City (Portland, Ore.) last month, I devoured the offerings at Powell’s Books, the largest used bookstore in the world. One of the many music books I purchased was a biography of one of Portland’s early ’80s future rock stars, Billy Rancher. Shortly after being signed to Arista Records, Rancher and his band, the Unreal Gods, saw their futures interrupted by his fight with cancer.
I was too young for the club scene at the time, but did catch Rancher opening for a few shows like Adam Ant and the Stray Cats. He didn’t make a big impression on me, since I was more into the metal scene at the time, but this book really touched me. It was also fun to read about a lot of clubs I played at and names I recognized.
I saw a copy of his first album, “Boom Chuck Rock Now!” at a used record store while in Portland, but it was $25! So, I searched for it on the web with no luck, until I found www.twolouies.com. Two Louies was the Portland music rag when I lived there (named after the Northwest hit “Louie Louie”). It’s now exclusively on-line.
I couldn’t believe that the first thing I read in longtime publisher Buck Munger’s longtime column, “As the World Turntables,” was a story about a Billy Rancher tribute show and possible Unreal Gods reunion. Dec. 2 will be the 15-year anniversary of Rancher’s death and Portland’s music fans haven’t forgotten him.
What Two Louies Magazine in Portland said recently:
How about a local artist that never had a hit, has been dead 20 years, and still has a following?
Billy Rancher was an All-City shortstop for the Madison high school baseball team before he dropped his bat and grabbed the Strat. Rancher ripped through the club scenes in Portland and Seattle and recorded an indie album of his “Boom Chuck” sound. The regional buzz became horrific and Clive Davis flew to Portland to sign him only to have Billy die of cancer before the Arista album could come out.
December 2nd marks 20 years since Billy's passing. The Oregon Music Hall of Fame is contemplating an event on that date, which is a Saturday. OMHOF inducted Billy Rancher and his band in 2000.
An excerpt from Two Louies, 'A Hero in Our Midst:'
Billy Rancher died fifteen years ago after a long and arduous battle with a particularly pernicious form of lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system). His incredible display of courage, especially in the waning days of his life, served as an inspiration to all who were privileged to be witness— leaving an indelible mark in the hearts and souls of each.
Rancher’s success as a popular musician and charismatic local icon has been well documented. But his heroic struggle to continue to live and create, even as his health was hopelessly deteriorating, will forever stand as testimony to Billy’s indomitable spirit and stoically gritty determination.
When we met for an interview in the early fall of 1986, Billy was weak and thin from the long-term effects of chemotherapy (which, among other things, had severely affected his equilibrium), as well as from the disease itself . But, despite his condition, he was optimistic and full of ideas and plans. He had acquired a deeper philosophy and greater appreciation for life.
“I think we’re all prodigal sons. We all make mistakes and we’re all learning from them moment by moment. No one can do it alone. You are not you because of you alone. I’m glad I had help.
“Right now, I don’t have any problems. Physically, my arms are numb. I can’t do a lot of things with my hands. My legs are numb. These are all from things that were done to my body.
“But mentally and spiritually I’m overjoyed with gratitude and love at being alive. I’m so happy to wake up and look at the things I’m blessed with, the things I can do— blessed by good people like my friend here [motions toward his longtime girlfriend Karen Sage]; we’re getting married next April, and being able to do this... I’m really grateful for that.
“I’m lucky. I’m very lucky. I feel fortunate for the lessons I’ve been given. If I turn to dust tomorrow, I’ll die happy. I’m glad to know what I know now. There’s a lot of misery that need not be experienced. You don’t have to live hell on earth. It could be heaven on earth.
“Being on the right road should be the ultimate goal for everyone. Money, success... they are all fruits, and justifiably yours, if your intentions are good, if you place love as your goal. Love your creator, whether he’s Muslim or Christian, or whatever.”
Rancher’s words seem almost prophetic, in light of recent world developments. His opinions about music and a message were equally mindful and clear.
“Pop music has now reached a place where it can have another level of effectiveness. A staunch awareness can be created and broadcast to the world. We can communicate a message in ways that weren’t possible even ten years ago: MTV for example.”
MTV was only five years old at the time, but Billy was already fully cognizant of the power of that medium. Still, more importantly, Billy was committed to his ideals, as he proved shortly thereafter.
On November 12, 1986, Billy summoned a number of musician friends to High Tech Studios in Northeast Portland, to help him to record his Christmas wish for the world, “Make Love, Not War.”
Billy’s health had worsened considerably in the six short weeks since the interview. Accompanied by his mother and sister Ellen (also a musician), Billy lay, completely enfeebled, on the couch in the control room. He was deathly thin, with skin so jaundiced he was the bright golden color of a falling autumn leaf.
From the couch, Billy directed the contingent musicians through the arrangement of his simple song, which was, essentially, a repeated refrain, somewhat reminiscent of Pachelbel’s “Canon.” He was so weak that he could not sit up, but he knew exactly how the song was to be arranged, how every part should be mixed. His impassioned vocal was done in a single take, with everything he had to give.
Of the nearly twenty people in attendance in the studio that day, all would attest to a profound sense of spiritual awe at Billy’s bravery, strength and resolve in the face of just a terrible situation.
Billy Rancher died three weeks later on December 2, 1986, at the age of 29. His song “Make Love, Not War” was played on local radio stations throughout the Christmas season that year. Now, perhaps more than at anytime since he recorded the song, his message rings with a particular pertinence.
Though his career as a rock star was cut drastically short by the ravages of his disease, the real tragedy was that Billy Rancher did not live nearly long enough to tell completely of the lessons he had learned when he was deprived of some of his gifts. For, it was at that very point in his brief existence that he became an archetype, an Everyman-like figure. It is within that very moment that his tale truly lies, a magnificent story of love and transcendence.
Billy, it was so rude of you to leave
Sixteen years ago this week, the world lost a great rock star, cut down way before his time. So early did he die that most of the world never got to see or hear him. Those of us who enjoyed his performances over a few, brief, sweet years here in Portland will never forget.
His name was Billy Rancher, and when he burst onto the local bar scene he was hardly old enough to drink in the places he was playing. In 1980 and 1981, after he and his brother Lenny broke up their band the Malchicks, Billy assembled a new band around himself and called them the Unreal Gods. They proceeded to tear the house down with an amazing array of rock and ska influences all rolled into a brand of music that Billy dubbed "boom chuck rock." "Boom chuck, boom chuck, boom chuck -- ch-chuck" was how the drums would go. We'd all sing along -- with the drums, mind you! It was that catchy. And, quite unusual for the local circuit they were riding, the Gods were playing mostly original numbers -- only an occasional cover to be heard -- which made it all the more stunning.
Boom chuck rock was as danceable as all get-out. The little La Bamba club downtown and the big Lung Fung Dragon Room out on SE 82nd Avenue would positively steam up when the Gods hit the stage. And it was visual, too, with a pair of tasseled Goddesses who proved to all who witnessed them that, yes, go go boots could make a comeback at any moment. The scene was so theatrical, so electrifying. Hard to take your eyes off the stage, it was so intense. The charisma flowed from a lot of directions, but one thing that drew the entire audience in was how much Billy and his mates cared about this music. I remember shaking his hand in the foyer of some dive one night after his show was over. (You stayed to the end of the Unreal Gods, even if you were going to look and feel like hell at work the next day.) And the guy shook every last hand walking out to that parking lot as he sipped on a shotglass of peppermint schnapps.
Funny music, too. Tongue in cheek through at least half of it. Songs like "My Girlfriend's Drawers" (possibly referring to furniture, probably not) and "Rude Buddy Holly" ("Buddy, it was so rude of you to leave!"). A young man's outlook, but with wicked wit and wisdom.
The band cut an indie record on its own and headed down to L.A. to show it around. They signed a record deal, and I think they may have even cut an album in a big-time New York studio. Fame and fortune seemed just around the corner. But it wasn't long before the amazing journey took a major detour: Billy, in his mid-20s, was diagnosed with lymphoma.
The medical ordeal took Rancher away from us for a long time, and when he came back, the story was different. It had to be. Now on top of everything else, Billy was being a strong fighter in the face of The Big Reality. But he kept going, with songs about Christmas, songs about his girl, songs about peace. Not as funny, not nearly as raucous. But still jaw-dropping awesome.
I saw him backstage one time after he got sick, at the hotsy-totsy Schnitzer Concert Hall, of all places. The hall had just opened following its big renovation, and a bunch of performers were doing a benefit for some noble cause. It was late fall of '84, I think. I was an extra in a dance/performance art piece being done by a friend, who in those days was known as Vincent Martinez. Anyway, while a large group of us were waiting to go on with Vin, in comes Billy and another guy -- I think it was Lenny -- and they worked out a little acoustic number on a guitar or two. It might have been "Happy Santa Claus," but I may be misremembering. Knowing about Billy's medical condition, I was craning my neck to see if I could get a glimpse of how he was doing. He looked o.k. for that night, at least.
When you're a 20-something partying in a club, it's not easy to tell whether what you are enjoying so much is timeless, or just the group du jour. Your hormones are raging, you're finally grown up and trying to figure out what that means, and it may not be until years later that you can appreciate what mattered and what didn't.
But we were right about Billy Rancher. He was an Unreal God, indeed.
If you ever see the album "Boom Chuck Rock Now" for sale, and you don't have a copy, buy it. If you don't want to keep it, send it to me and I'll buy it from you. I think the CD is readily available in a few places for around $15. The vinyl LP, on the other hand, is a collectors' item. I've heard prices of $50 and $65. But you won't get mine for 10 times that.
Posted by Jack Bogdanski at December 4, 2002 02:37 AM TrackBack (0)
Hi Jack,
Just found your blog when searching for "Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods".
I put a cassette tape in the car player (yes this vehicle has a tape player) this morning on the way to Starbucks, one I recorded off of the EP back in '81 (I guess), haven't listened to that for years. That prompted the search.
How very saddening it was to read about Billy's fate. I had often wondered why his talent (and the rest of the group) didn't prompt more EPs or CDs and why they seemed to just fade away, RAPIDLY.
I was attending the UofW when Billy Rancher was hitting the clubs here in the Seattle area, I gradutaed in 1982 and took a job in eastern WA as a fish biologist for Grant County PUD, now some 20+ years later I am headed today to eastern WA to start a job in Richland WA as a project manager, so in commemoration I thought, hey thats what you listened to last time when you drove over why not put in the player again.
How things change, on that drive in 1982 I was in a hot pink 65 Rambler Classic where the stereo in the car was worth twice the value of the car, it belonged to a friend who had painted it pink for his girlfriend to drive. I was too broke to afford a car and absolutely loved borrowing that to go over to the other side of the state. Talk about a chick magnet! We almost alway used that car for clubbing.
I usually saw Billy Rancher and T U R Gods at the Hall of Fame on University Way in Seattle. We called that place the "Hall of Shame".
Thanks for providing the history and links at your blog. While it's sad to learn it's also refreshing to know why. If you have other informatoin about the rest of the group or what friends moved on to I would be interested to know.
Galen
Posted by: Galen Torneby at December 6, 2004 02:50 AM
It's been three years since I wrote on this blog about Portland rock legend Billy Rancher, and still the e-mail responses keep a-comin' in. So many people were touched by the guy. Here's another one, which I got last night:
I do remember Billy Rancher?in fact I have a bit of a sappy story. My wife and I knew each other several years dating off and on throughout that time, until she got engaged to someone else that is. Over the summer of 1982 I continually pestered her to ?go on a date? (to win her back) of which she politely refused. One day in August she stopped by work and brought me cookies for my birthday, her fiancé ˇas sick and acting quite standoffish. She loved to dance and I thought what better than to take her to see Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods! We had an awesome time down at the Labamba club and the rest is history?4 kids and 22 years later.Don't look now, buddy, but it's 19 years now.We also saw Billy Rancher play with Marshall Crenshaw at the old warehouse on the SE side. I did a search because my 15 year old daughter is writing a creative story for her English class here in Colorado and needed an obscure but authentic musician from the early 80?s for her story. What better than Boom Chuck Rock to fit the bill?
I do have the album and the CD, but better still I have a remix of a few songs that another fan did with his sound equipment. I?m sure it violates something (not a profit deal) so I won?t elaborate. 16 years ago eh?...the saddest part is most will never know just how heart pumping and original they were.
Posted by Jack Bogdanski at December 7, 2005 10:36 PM TrackBack (0)
Billy was a friend of mine, and the most courageous person I've ever known. If you haven't heard Here Comes Mr. Groove, the last album he made, after he couldn't play guitar any more because of chemo, you're missing some heartfelt poignant music. If bojackers are interested, send me a note, and I'll burn a copy for you. My favorite song on Mr. Groove is Chemotherapy. He wrote it with his little brother. I think I remember all the words:
"Just three years ago, I was just like you
looking for fun, a romancer
then my doctor's office did say
so straightforwardly I had cancer
But I'm getting better and better every day
Taking my strength from the master
Yes, I'm getting stronger and stronger every day
Making a triumph from disaster
Who would ever thought
Who would ever thought
This would happen to me
No more vanity
This wig looks bad on me
I don't feel so good
I don't feel so good
Who would ever thought
Who would ever thought
This would happen to me"
Who would ever thought, indeed.
Houston
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 Boom Chuck Rock Now, February 27, 2004
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: A Goddess' Perspective, December 26, 2001
Billy's music on this compilation was (and is) joyful, pleasant and uncomplicated. I loved it then and miss it now. I was shocked and moved to know it is still marketed... pulled it up via a Google search. This says to me enough other people are moved by Billy's music that it is still being produced. This is profound in that it means Billy continues to live and that is all he hoped for as his health deteriorated. Anyway, I only got one copy of the album (yes, that's all any of us got in the band without paying for them) and I left it in the backseat of my VW... it warped right after the release party at Lung Fung. Twenty years later, I finally can get a copy on CD and listen to it again...after all these years. Thanks, Amazon. This is very cool! |
 Billy lives, December 16, 2001
It is a sunny, upbeat happy album from Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods' glory days as the premier rocking good time Portland dance band. I and others were damned lucky to be at any of the many shows at Luis La Bamba's at midnight when Billy would come out for the last set, dressed in pajamas and launch into his signature songs. Billy had the best vibes and his band loved to play up until the final moment before the Marshalls would threaten to shut the sound down. Why Rocky Road did not become a hit for the band I do not know. It is prescient to listen to now, given Billy's life and death struggle with the cancer that elevated him to Avatar status before killing him. He had no idea of the Rocky Road that awaited him, a Rocky Road that it would have taken the rocks from four Golgothas to pave. The album is worth buying for that one song. |
I'm Walkin' Down a Rocky Road For You ..., August 22, 2001
I own this album on vinyl - acquired at the album release party at Lung Fung's Dragon Room in Portland, OR. I was a publicist and manager for some of the local bands on the scene in Portland at the time, and Billy Rancher's Unreal Gods were the creme of the crop. I still enjoy every cut on this album despite the number of years that have passed since its release. I must admit to a particular fondness for "English Boy" and "Rocky Road" above all the others. "Rude Buddy Holly" is a fun ska tune. "My Girlfriend's Drawers" is a good humored song full of puns and clever reggae breaks. I was very fond of Billy and his music, and his passing from this plane was heartbreaking for me. Billy's music beats the tar out of any of the Northwest grunge bands that came up in the '90's. His untimely passing robbed the world at large of one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters I've ever heard. Don't miss this album. |
 I have mixed reviews about this album, January 18, 2001
For the music review, He adopted a style called Boom Chuck Rock from a local one man musician. He could write some catchy songs, check him out out. EVL Was this review helpful to you? ');showYesButton(vyUrl,uId); showNoButton(vnUrl,uId); document.write(' Report this (Report this) (Report this) |
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Gotta Have It!, January 5, 1999Reviewer: A music fan This album was released in the 80's and I loved it! The music and lyrics were ahead of their time. If Billy Rancher were playing gigs today, I have no doubt he would be a star. Go Go Boots are commin back...please buy this CD! You will love it. Thank You Amazon.com for having this CD. Was this review helpful to you? ');showYesButton(vyUrl,uId); showNoButton(vnUrl,uId); document.write(' Report this (Report this) |
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Billy lives, December 16, 2001
Billy's songs from when his cancer returned for the 3d time and written practically up until his final dying breath, especially Chemotherapy (co-written with his brother Lenny Rancher), Here's to You, the Big Picture, and others on Mr. Groove, the tape he made as he lay dying, rank as some of my favorite all time music and it is a crime that it is not published and available. I have no doubts that someday they will be. Those songs need to be heard. The songs on this CD, though essential if you ever saw and loved Billy simply because they are all you are going to get for a time, are mostly from record producers attempts to make Billy commercial. |
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: MADE IN HONG KONG, April 26, 2000
THERE ARE SOME REAL GEMS ON THIS CD. "THE POLICE TOLD ME" AND "MADE IN HONG KONG" WOULD HAVE BEEN BIG HITS HAD BILLY NOT DIED. HE WAS THE BUDDY HOLLY OF THE 80'S. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jlrancher Here is Dave Stricker's (bass player) work, Post-Unreal Gods: http://www.geocities.com/celestep2k1/daveStrickerBand_westinSong.mp3 Here's what Jon DuFresne (Lead Guitar) is up to:
No clue what Alf Ryder or Bill Flaxel are doing these days. Billy and the man he was and became, touched me in a way few others on this earth have. He was a light from the first moment I saw his face. Billy deserved this story to be told again. I hope everyone writes about the Billy's in their own lives. Thank you for reading! The End. | |||||||||||
Jon DuFresne. Billy Rancher discovered Jon DuFresne playing guitar in the Casey Nova Band at the Long Goodbye. Jon joined Billy’s Unreal Gods and became part of Oregon’s musical history. Today DuFresne plays in a Los Angeles blues band and returned to reunite with the Unreal G’s for the OMHOF Tribute To Billy Rancher.
