Basil and Frank Tape 1

Tape 1 of the QMUNITY interview with Basil Hunter and Frank Allison. Basil Hunter and Frank Allison: Interviewee bios Basil Hunter was born in Wales in 1918, and moved to Winnipeg as a toddler, where he remained until the age of 25. Basil attended private school where he received his background in yoga and Buddhism, practices that stayed with him all of his life. These doctrines set the stage for Basil's lifelong appreciation for, and openness to the collective consciousness. Basil gained great personal knowledge through his connection to the Akashic records. Basil had always had an affinity towards the male, and he claimed that he originally viewed this attraction as "hero worship". He was unraveling his identity as a gay male at a time when Sigmund Freud's oedipus complex was the widespread view on homosexuality. As Basil came to properly understand and to accept his orientation, he was adamant about being "out". Basil began playing music in the 1930s, and through this talent he managed to earn a steady living, despite the difficult reality of the Great Depression. He relocated to Vancouver in the 1940's and became a very well known musician and composer. On Christmas eve of 1958, Basil met Frank Allison, who became his life companion of 53 years. They began playing music together and shared a series of electric experiences with one another. Basil played the piano and vibraphone at many local venues including the Vancouver Press Club, The Pillars Inn, and Town and Country. Basil Hunter passed away on November 28th, 2012 at the age of 94. Frank Allison was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1920. He was a natural musician and trained himself to sing, play the piano, the guitar, and the electric bass. Frank served as a wireless operator in World War II and the Korean War where he was awarded a number of medals for his service. During his tour in Korea, Frank entertained the troops with the famous harmonicist Larry Adler. After the war, Frank moved to Vancouver where he met his life companion, Basil Hunter, in 1958. They began playing music together, and Basil was amazed by Frank's innate ability to play by ear. Together, they played at The Press Club for 7 years, 6 nights a week, followed by performances at the Pillars Inn, and 11 years at The Town and Country. Frank had a great love for animals. He grew up with horses in Nova Scotia, and remained fascinated with them throughout his life. Frank appreciated that horses are a law unto themselves, and that regardless of man's desire to tame them, some horses just cannot be tamed. Frank Harold Allison passed away on February 5th, 2010 at the age of 89.