This week I learned that the Canadian rock band Trooper will perform at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on May 22 — with the better seats going for $93.50.

Really?

I have followed Trooper since its inception in the mid-1970s, attending many a concert, and I can tell you that none of the original members are still in the group.

That includes the founders and faces of the band — lead singer Ra McGuire and lead guitarist Brian Smith, gone five years now.

So what gives? Is today’s Trooper simply a glorified tribute band?

“The founding musicians are retired and are no longer performing,” confirmed Janelle Escott, theatre marketing specialist with the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

“This concert includes the current and longest-standing band members of the Canadian rock band Trooper, including Paul Gogo, Scott Brown and Clayton Hill.”

And what does today’s version of Trooper have to say?

“Contrary to popular assumption, Trooper has absolutely nothing to do with ticket pricing or sales,” the band’s operations manager, Heather Url, said.

“The band is simply contracted to perform at a venue at a specific date and time, and everything else (pricing, seating, all-ages or not, licensed or not, etc) is solely the choice of the hosting venue/organizer.

“In regard to tribute band vs Trooper, the keyboardist, bassist, and drummer have been Trooper for 31, 30 and 20 years, respectively, and performed with founding members Ra McGuire and Brian Smith until their retirement in 2021.

“Ra and Brian specifically asked that they continue the Trooper legacy so fans can have access to the same live performances they have known and loved as Trooper for decades.

“We have deep respect and affection for all former band members, and certainly the ones who did the original recordings, but other than Ra and Brian, the others have not been Trooper for more than 40 years and each was part of the band for less than a decade at most.

“I hope this information helps to ease any concerns you may have about the quality and authenticity of the upcoming Trooper show.”

So, which is it: legitimate keeper of the Trooper legacy, or a '3 Dressed Up as a 9'?

Fans will ultimately vote with their wallet, some finding the admission a small price to pay to relive the songs of an iconic Canadian rock band.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFQVNDYG1M&list=PLQeiFK_d9SQpf0k52zNIq7j22UrUUfzU-&index=1

Read more: https://www.trooper.com/

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— Larry Pynn, Feb. 27, 2026