Gerry Finn and later Mark Chitchken replacing unvaccinated guitarist Gary Borden for future Helix shows
Gerry Finn and later Mark Chitchken replacing unvaccinated guitarist Gary Borden for future Helix shows
The Covid pandemic is forcing bands and their members to make some hard decisions. With Helix band members needing to be vaccinated to play some or all of their upcoming gigs, Helix guitarist Gary Borden had to be replaced due to his refusal to be vaccinated. According to Wikipedia, Borden played in Helix from 1996 to 1998 as well as a few shows along the way until rejoining back in 2019. Borden is featured on the album Eat Sleep Rock (2020).
The following message was posted on Helix‘s Facebook page on September 19, 2021:
“Maybe I created some confusion about who is playing with us next week in Winnipeg at The Bulldog Events Centre. It’s Gerry Finn of The Killer Dwarfs. Originally Gary Borden (formally of Sass Jordan) was playing with us but because he’s refusing to be vaxxed we had to replace him. I talked to Gary about this after our gig at Widder Station and expressed how much I would like him to get vaxxed so I wouldn’t have to get someone else (‘cos we love Gary!) but ultimately in the end he decided not to. I respect his opinion and because we talked this out there is no hard feelings on either side.
So I needed a guitar player…enter Gerry Finn of THE KILLER DWARFS. Gerry played with us during the 90’s so he knows a lot of the material. The KILLER DWARFS and HELIX have played many gigs over the last several years and we’re all good friends. Russ and I even have the same birthday. LOL. Anyway, Bernie Aubin, (our agent) had a potential date at the end of OCTOBER in Edmonton. The date involved both the KD and HELIX, so we couldn’t use Gerry for that date because it would have had him playing with both bands-something we NEVER do. At that point I contacted Mark Chitchken, who also played during the 90’s with the band. Mark is another high quality musician-top of the line guitar player and singer.
So…Gerry Finn is playing Winnipeg next Thursday and any future dates will have Mark Chitchken on guitar. Are we clear now? Gimme an R!”
Helix‘s “Eat Sleep Rock” video: