Gary Tees
Gary Tees, early 1970s, Yellowknife, NT. (photo courtesy Gary Tees)
Gary Tees was born and raised in Yellowknife.
His first musical memories came from listening to his father playing guitar at family house parties.
He was seriously bitten by the music bug when he bought his first 45 of “The Beatles” “Can’t buy me Love” and at 12 years old, bought his first bass guitar ordered from a Simpson Sears catalog.
Along the way, Gary learned from other local musicians his own age and from more mature players such as Wilf Schidlowsky.
He performed in the rock band “Stained Glass Illusion” along with his brother John, drummer Tony Gilchrist, pianist Penny Aumond and guitarist Wayne Bertrand.
After graduating from high school, Gary continued to play in local bands such as “Franklin Avenue Review” “Northbound Freeway” and with “Dave and Sherry”.
with 'The Vibrations'. L-R: Gary Tees, Wayne Bertrand (not incl. in photo, Larry Glowach and Bob Arlent.) 1966, Yellowknife, NT. (photo courtesy Wayne Bertrand)
with 'Stained Glass Illusion' L-R: Wayne Bertrand, Gary Tees, Tony Gilchrest. 1968, Yellowknife, NT. (photo courtesy Gary Tees)
with 'Moondance' L-R: John Tees, Tom Hudson, Norman Glowach, Gary Tees, the late Herb Lafferty. 1975/76, Yellowknife. NWT Archives, James Jerome fonds, accession number N-1987-017, item number 2658.
with 'Moondance' L-R: Tom Hudson, John Tees, Gary Tees, (not in photo: Norman Glowach, the late Herb Lafferty. 1975. NWT Archives, James Jerome fonds, accession number N-1987-017, item number 3214.
L-R: John Tees, Ted Wesley, (?), Gary Tees. Yellowknife, NT. (date unknown. photo courtesy Gary Tees)
L-R: Gary Tees, John Telgen, John Tees, Commissioner's New Year's Eve Ball, Yellowknife Inn, 1978. Yellowknife, NT (Debbie Telgen photo)