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It goes like this: millions of records, a couple dozen hits, a Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) for Band of the Year and ongoing sold-out shows across Canada. Universal Music acknowledges them as "one of Canada's top five selling bands of all time" and the Vancouver Sun has called them "Canadian rock heroes of the first order ... the best performing band in Canada". In 2023 they were inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.

Then, as now, what makes Trooper what they are is great performances and great pop songwriting.

Trooper's ten studio albums have earned multiple gold and platinum awards and their 6 X Platinum greatest hits, Hot Shots, continues to be one of Universal Music Canada's best selling catalog CDs and one of the country's most enduring party soundtracks. In celebration of the band's 35th anniversary, a totally updated and re-mastered collection - "Hits From 10 Albums" - was released, featuring songs spanning the entirety of their recording career. John Kereiff, writing in Gonzo Magazine, dubbed the collection "THE summer album of 2010."

"We're Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)", "Raise a Little Hell", "The Boys in the Bright White Sportscar", "Two For the Show", "Pretty Lady" "Good Ol' General Hand Grenade", "Round, Round We Go", "Santa Maria", "Janine" - just a few of the Trooper hits that, according to writer Ryan Sparks, "have woven their way into the fabric of this country like no other bands have been able to do. Tune into any radio station from Vancouver to St John's and you're bound to encounter one of their dozen hit radio anthems that are still featured in heavy rotation to this day."

Dan Brisbois of canadianbands.com writes, "They've won practically every Canadian music award possible and they've been dubbed 'Canada's Greatest Party Band' ... and rightfully so." Bob Mersereau, author of The Top 100 Canadian Albums wrote, "Trooper's Hot Shots has been one of the biggest-selling albums in Canadian music history. It has gone six times platinum, and sells consistently, as do tickets to Trooper gigs. There are shows and festivals across the country where the annual Trooper show is practically an official holiday." Indeed, Trooper continues to consistently sell out shows across the country - often performing for three generations of fans - demonstrating that the band and its music remain borderless, timeless, and ageless.

It's no exaggeration to say that Trooper has become a Canadian legend. They continue to perform their huge collection of hits with the vitality and sense of humor that has served them well on their steady march through the hills and valleys of Canadian Rock and Roll.

The Band:

Paul Laine, Trooper's powerful lead singer and frontman, is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, and producer whose career has spanned over three decades. At just 20 years old, Paul secured a worldwide recording contract and toured with Bryan Adams, Joe Satriani, Richard Marx, Joan Jett and others. His distinctive voice can be found on multi-platinum albums by Poison, The Scorpions, and Danger Danger. In the 1990s he recorded the album ‘Stick It In Your Ear’ with legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn, and his singles, including international hits like “Dorianna” and “Is It Love”, charted across North America, Europe, and Japan. A prolific composer, his work has also made a significant mark in film and television, in productions such as A Man Called Otto (starring Tom Hanks), America's Got Talent, Below Deck, Pawn Stars, MTV, Coronation Street, CBS Sports, and NBC Monday Night Football.
In a full-circle moment, Paul has now reunited with longtime friends and former bandmates, bringing his signature energy, charisma, and powerhouse vocals to fans across the country. When not on stage, Paul can be found in his studio, continuing to write, produce, and contribute to a wide range of creative projects.
Scott Brown has been the dynamic bassist and vocalist for Trooper since 1996. Born in Winnipeg, Scott picked up the guitar at the age of four and never looked back. After relocating to Nanaimo, British Columbia, his musical journey quickly accelerated when he became the lead vocalist for several popular Vancouver Island bands, developing a powerful stage presence and a reputation as a compelling frontman. In the 1990s, Scott expanded his musical reach as bassist, vocalist, and songwriter for the Paul Laine Band, a role that led him to the heart of the music industry in New York City. There, he joined Paul Laine in the internationally recognized hard rock/glam metal band Danger Danger, experiencing firsthand the fast-paced world of touring, recording, and performing in the Big Apple. That chapter of his career soon led to a fateful introduction to Trooper, through longtime friend and fellow Nanaimo musician, Gogo.
Since joining Trooper, Scott has brought a distinctive blend of musicality, energy, and professionalism to the stage. Offstage, Scott is a devoted father to his daughter, Cassidy, an avid golfer and snowboarder, and an active member of the Canadian film industry between Trooper tours. Whether teaching, performing, or writing, Scott brings heart and dedication to everything he does.
Steve Crane, Trooper's brilliant lead guitarist, is a multi-talented musician, composer, producer, and visual artist. Born in Scarborough, Ontario, and raised on the west coast of Canada, Steve has toured extensively across North America and Europe and built a reputation as a versatile and accomplished musician. He has also developed a finely tuned ear and a holistic understanding of music production. He has composed, performed, programmed, engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered many of his recordings. His songwriting and recording credits include contributions to film, television, and the cult favorite video game trilogy; ‘Megarace’. He has also created a striking portfolio of visual art, and has developed marketing materials, trailers, and large-scale visual productions for live events.
In 2021, when founding guitarist Brian Smith retired, Steve's talent, professionalism, and deep respect for the band's legacy made him the ideal successor. Steve had already worked with Trooper for a dozen years, so, with Brian's full support and encouragement, Steve now brings his passion, precision, and a deep artistic soul to every show. Following the full-circle theme, Steve, too, toured and recorded with Paul Laine, in Darkhorse – and was instrumental in recruiting Paul into the band.
Gogo has been the dynamic and charismatic keyboardist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist for Trooper, since he joined the band in 1995. Born into a large and musically gifted family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Gogo formed his first band at the age of 12. Since then, music has remained his singular passion and lifelong, full-time pursuit. As well as being an artist and innovator, Gogo has developed deep expertise in vintage electronic instruments. His rare and extensive collection has been showcased at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and he was featured in the acclaimed 2008 documentary, Mellodrama: The Mellotron Movie. Beyond his work with Trooper, Gogo is an active composer, producer, and videographer. As well as projects including debut albums by The Super Groovy Band, Campfire Girls and The Cashtones, he also contributed to the internationally celebrated Theme of Appreciation tribute albums dedicated to Eddie Jobson.
When not on stage or in the studio, Gogo reconnects with nature on the shores and in the forests of his hometown, where he has overseen the construction of homes and cabins on Protection Island and Gogo Mountain. A self-proclaimed “connoisseur of firewood” and “master splitter,” Gogo finds balance and inspiration swimming, boating, or simply enjoying life in the bathtub capital of the world.
Clayton Hill is Trooper's powerhouse drummer since 2006. Born in South Porcupine, Ontario, and raised in British Columbia, and with a drumming style defined by feel, finesse, and precision, Clayton developed his craft through years of live performance — shaping his sense of groove, dynamics, and the art of the shuffle. His long-running collaboration with Randy Elvis Friskie, Legends of Rock & Roll, and The Roy Orbison Story allowed him to bring those influences to sold-out shows across North America. In the early 1990s, Clayton performed with Brian Howes — a Grammy-nominated producer and hitmaker for artists like Daughtry, Hinder, Hedley, and Faber Drive. In the nineties, he toured internationally: in Shanghai, Dubai, Helsinki, Barcelona, the UK, and beyond—experiences that shaped both his musical and global perspective.
Clayton's proudest personal milestone is the birth of his daughter, Chloe, whom he describes as possessing “a heart of gold and an old soul on fire.” Inspired by her, Clayton released his deeply personal solo album, Hurting to Feel, in January 2012.
Clayton remains immersed in the creative process—writing, recording, and releasing original music … while continuing to be the trusted heartbeat … of Trooper.