By Steve Newton
I’ve interviewed a helluva lot of rock musicians over the last 40 years or so–literally hundreds and hundreds–but there are still a few that got away.
Like Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod, best known for being a member of Vancouver-based rock groups Headpins and Chilliwack.
It doesn’t make sense that I wouldn’t have interviewed him, really, because both those bands were popular while I was writing my ass off as a Vancouver freelancer in the early- and mid-’80s.
I’ve interviewed musicians who played with MacLeod, like Bill Henderson from Chilliwack, or were produced by him, like Chrissie Steele and Paul Dean and Holly Woods. But never the man himself.
And I really enjoyed his guitar playing, especially on tunes like the Headpins’ “Turn It Loud”, the title track of their 1982 debut album.
MacLeod appeared to have it all: he could play wicked guitar, write killer tunes, and accomplish great things in the studio as a producer. I also heard that he was a helluva drummer.
Not only that, but with his athletic build and thick mop of curly hair, he always looked cool rockin’ out.
More importantly, whenever I hear his name mentioned, it’s normally accompanied by raves about what an awesome guy he was, so sweet and kind. Although I can’t confirm that from personal experience, I tend to believe what everybody’s been saying about him.
Tragically, MacLeod passed away from cancer in 1992 at the age of 39.
Sure wish I could turn back time and interview “Too Loud”.
Regrets, I’ve had a few…
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I was a close friend of Brian. I silk-screened the T-shirt he wears on the inner sleeve of the debut album. “IF YA THINK IT’S TOO LOUD YER TOO FUCKIN’ OLD! I did a lot of working & partying on his boats, the Grand Marnier & the G M 2. I also made him a custom set of saddlebags that would carry albums safely, for his Harley, as well as other work on it. He used to take me to Outlaws & then the Metro in his red Jag convertible. I got to play bass & sing with him a few times. It was probably the best playing & singing I’ve ever done! There was just something magic about playing with him! Yes, he was a wicked drummer, as well as an awesome keyboard player. He could pretty much play anything with perfection! Yes, he was an all-around great & cool guy, with zero ego & is sadly missed by so many people he touched! RIP Brian “TOO LOUD MACLEOD!”