Van Wilks

Under Appreciated

VAN WILKS

 
Homer was a popular band in the San Antonio area and hung in there until 1974; by that time, the line-up was Don Evans (vocals and drums), Chet Himes (bass), Van Wilks (guitar) and Galen Niles (guitar).  Niles recalls: "Man, that was a smokin' band then – the fact was, the only reason we had a vocalist was to take up some space between the guitar solos."
 
Chet Himes exited Homer in 1974 to become a recording engineer and worked with Christopher Cross as well as Ted Nugent; and Van Wilks left to start a solo career.
 
(September 2011)
 
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Phil Bepko came up with an ambitious rock opera called Hieronymus, but he would leave the band along with Gene Coleman; Don Evans and Van Wilks, respectively, took their places before Homer took this new music on the road.  Galen Niles recalls: "Man, [Homer] was a smokin' band then – the fact was, the only reason we had a vocalist was to take up some space between the guitar solos." 

 

Past UARB Ultra was every bit as different from Homer as the Outcasts; this hard rock band grew out of the final line-up of Homer, with Galen Niles and Don Evans joining the new band.  Chet Himes continued his career as a recording engineer, working with Ted NugentCarole KingChristopher Cross, and others.  Van Wilks left to start a solo career. 

 

(April 2014)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021