by Richard Skelly » Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:34 pm
Who knew? For some time now, a Facebook page has existed called Fans Of Prism: The Ron Tabak Era. Run by a chap out of Bowmanville, Ontario, it has also sponsored a permanent Legacy.com listing for Tabak—the original vocalist of the five-man band.
Former bandmate Al Harlow is among the 71 (and growing) text memorials for Ron. It was Christmas Eve 1984 when Ron—despite snowy conditions—opted to bicycle over to Al’s place for dinner and talk further about a likely band reunion early the next year.
Tabak ended up in hospital, likely after being struck by a motorist. He was released, began acting erratically outside the facility and wound up in jail. Hours passed before he was re-admitted to hospital. He died on Christmas Day just before surgery was to start to deal with a by-then diagnosed blood clot.
Fitted in leather and sporting a curly mane of lion-like locks, Ron Tabak was a force to be reckoned with among Canadian rock vocalists of the 1970s. He was replaced by Henry Small for Prism’s final two albums. But songs like See Forever Eyes, Armageddon and Spaceship Superstar—all produced by the late Bruce Fairbairn—define the Prism sound. For many, Ron Tabak remains the face and image of that sound.