Biography
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Born
30 June 1955 (age 70)
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Born In
Listowel, North Perth, Perth County, Ontario, Canada
Helix were formed in 1974 for a Battle of the Bands contest in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada by drummer Bruce Arnold. They originally consisted of Arnold, lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don Simmons, and bassist Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg (who always wore his trademark tuxedo on stage). Their original name was The Helix Field Band, soon shortened to simply Helix. Trembley was gone after a few months. Soon after, Helix scored some crucial shows as Del Shannon's backing band on some Canadian dates. However, the original lineup disolved by 1976, and three new members entered the fold. Replacing Simmons, Watson and Arnold were guitarists Brent "The Doctor" Doerner and Paul Hackman (who would both remain with Helix through the 80's), and drummer Brian Doerner, Brent's twin. Brian would only last a few years, but later joined progressive rock band Saga in the 2000's.
In February 2009, Vollmer reunited the surviving members of the No Rest For The Wicked lineup (Brent Doerner, Mike Uzelac, and Greg Hinz) to record a new version of the AC/DC classic "It's a Long Way To The Top", to be included on an tribute album and a bonus track on the next Helix CD. Concurrent to the new Helix lineup and CD, Brent Doerner has formed his own band, My Wicked Twin. My Wicked Twin consists of Brent's twin brother Brian Doerner (drums), and Mike Uzelac (bass, both ex-Helix), as well as Kitchener's Shane Schedler (lead guitar, formerly of Martyrs of Melody). They released their debut CD in January 2009.
In addition to running the Helix business, Brian Vollmer also currently teaches the classical vocal technique, Bel canto, in London, Ontario, as well as singing classical music at weddings and funerals throughout southern Ontario. He has given vocal lessons to members of the heavy metal band Kittie who also hail from London. His wife Lynda now helps with the running of the business from their home, which they have dubbed "Planet Helix".
Solo (as Vollmer)
When Pigs Fly (1999)
Get Yer Hands Dirty (2017)
Old Time Music Party (as Brian Vollmer - 2013)
Related Recordings
Raising The Roof on Mary Immaculate (2005) - charity CD featuring Brian Vollmer
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