The Vanguard

The Vanguard are reunited and ready to rock. Join the excitement in 2025!

The Vanguard emerged on the Winston-Salem, N.C., music scene in the early 1980s and for the next decade thrilled fans with their energetic live shows, ambitious original songs and unconventional covers.

With influences ranging from classic rock and prog to power pop, the group built a loyal following across the Triad and beyond, sometimes performing on the bill with much larger acts including Gregg Allman, The Who’s John Entwistle, Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

The Vanguard’s musical muscle and precision were equally on display in the studio, with REM producer Mitch Easter at the controls of a 1986 Vanguard session and their song “Waiting Game” appearing on More Mondo, a compilation of N.C. artists released in 1985.

The group’s lineup included Mike Chamis, Jon Heames, Clark Huneycutt and initially Robert Mitchell (Paul Dillon replaced Robert in 1984). During Vanguard shows, band members would frequently switch instruments mid-set, showcasing their versatility and, on extended jams, their improvisational instincts. In 1991, all five members reunited for a gig at Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, drawing on their extensive catalog and delivering a legendary hometown performance. View show > https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IPg53FyJg7Y

Today, the remaining members of the Vanguard (Mike, Jon, Paul and drummer Chris Stephenson) are as devoted as ever to making great music and keeping the band’s legacy alive.