11 O’Clock Blues Band
Eaglesmith, Fred J.
Early, Bernie
Earthquake
EarthTONES, The
Eastcoast Rider
East, Adam
East African Affair
Eastern Passage
Easterners
Eaton, Timothy
Echo Men
Echo Tones, The
Eclipse
Econoline Crush
Edge, The
Edmunds, Geoff
Edward and Harding
Edward Bear
Edwards, Cliff
Edwards, Kathleen
Edwin
Efrem
Eighty Four
Eight Point Five
Eight Seconds
Eighth Day
Eikhard, June
Eikhard, Shirley
Ekos, Les
Electric Bananas
Electric Jug & Blues Band
Electric Mocean
Electric Vomit
Elegantes, Les
Elevator To Hell
Eleven Past One
Ellie
Ellison
Ellison, Carl
EM
Émigré
Emmerson, Les
Emmett, Rik
Endersby, Stan
Enemy Mind Feel
Englishman, J.
Enigmas
Ennis, Barry
Ennis Sisters, The
Entirely Distorted
Equipe ’79
Equus
Éric
Eric’s Trip
Erikson, Karl
Eritage
Erotic Drum Band
Esquires, The (1)
Esquires, The (2)
Essig, David
Esthero
Et Cetera
Eternal Triangle
Eternals, The
Ethnic Drivers
Etranger, L’
Eudoxis
Euphoria
Euthanasia
Evanko, Ed
Evans, Christine
Everglades
Everyday People
Everything, Eva
Everything, Fred
Evil Farm Children
Evolution Expantion
Evoy, Larry
Ewanchuk, Orissia
Excentriques, Les
Exchange
Excited First Daughter
Exciter
Excuses Excuses
Existers
Exit 4
Expedition
Expedition to Earth
Extras, The
Extroverts
Exxotone
Eye Eye
Eye On You
Eyes of Dawn, The
11 O’CLOCK BLUES BAND
Don Hardy
Vancouver’s 11 O’Clock Blues Band was a short-lived entity featuring future respected jazz performer Don Hardy who would go on to record several solo albums and play some of the biggest jazz festivals around the world.
Albums
1981 11 O’Clock Blues Band (11 O’Clock) EOR-00128
EAGLESMITH, Fred J.
Born: Fred Elgersma, 1957, in Brantford, Ontario
As the 6thh of nine children, Eaglesmith grew up on a 200-acre farm near Brantford, Ontario in a strict evangelical family. Country music was a constant as it could be heard on U.S. radio signals drifting in across Lake Erie. At the age of nine Eaglesmith saw Elvis Presley on television for the first time and was inspired to write his first song that day. At the age of 16 he decided to live the strict farm atmosphere and traveled across-Canada either hitchhiking or hopping trains all the while performing in youth hostels and anywhere else that would listen to his music. He changed his last name legally to Eaglesmith when he was 18. His parents lost the family farm and it led a prolific songwriting spree. Meanwhile, Eaglesmith married his high school sweetheart and they would eventually raise three sons on a 100-acre farm near Alberton, Ontario where they grew flowers agriculturally. At the age of 23, he released his self-titled debut album independently which was picked up for distribution by Boot Records. As The flower business grew, he moved his family to Toronto where Eaglesmith began performing at Toronto clubs. He continued working on his songwriting skills giving him material for 1983’s ‘The Boy That Just Went Wrong’ and 1987’s ‘Indiana Road.’ Alas, the flower business went bankrupt in 1991 and he was able to focus on music full-time. Despite being financially insolvent, Eaglesmith began traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to sell songs to performers and publishers. There weren’t a lot of takers for his Depression-era like country tunes though “Thirty Years of Farming” would eventually be recorded by James King. Still, Eaglesmith found a U.S. fanbase especially in Texas. He continued to release albums as often as he could finance them including 1994’s live album ‘From the Paradise Motel’ recorded at a festival show in Michigan. In the mid-1990s Eaglesmith toured with his band called The Flying Squirrels which featured both Willie P. Bennett and Washboard Hank. The songs began to have a more rock focus but mainstream country success still eluded him. 1995’s ‘Drive-In Movie’ featuring the single “Wilder Than Her” (later covered by Dar Williams) received commercial airplay and was voted one of the top 50 releases of the century in a Dutch music poll. Eaglesmith followed it up with the darker ‘Lipstick Lies & Gasoline’ in 1997 on the U.S. based Razor & Tie Records which made the top five on Billboard Magazine’s Americana chart. 1999’s ’50-Odd Dollars’ and 2002’s ‘Falling Stars and Broken Hearts’ followed in succession allowing Eaglesmith able to tour for 300 days a year creating followings all over North America, Europe and Australia. By 2003 Eaglesmith had moved into a house where he set up a recording studio in a converted bait shop in Port Dover, Ontario. A series of albums followed featuring his old recordings as “official bootlegs.” Then he changed musical direction once again with the bluegrass flavoured ‘Balin’ that year alongside his band The Flathead Noodlers. In 2004 Eaglesmith released a blue-eyed soul album entitled ‘Dusty’ (in reverence to Dusty Springfield). He would return to working with his old band The Flying Squirrels again for the 2006 release ‘Milly’s Café’ which also charted on the Americana Top-10. Despite finally becoming financially independent from his musical pursuits, he had a major setback when his home and studio in Port Dover burned down. Eaglesmith had been asleep at the time and he narrowly escaped the fire. He remained undaunted and was inspired by the events to record the 2008 album ‘Tinderbox.’ Eaglesmith would tirelessly continue writing and recording material for the next decade including a live double album with Tiffani Ginn entitled ‘Alive’ in 2020.
Singles
1987 Take It All Away/Caroline (Sweetwater) WRC3-5420
as FRED EAGLESMITH & THE FLYING SQUIRRELS
1990 Wooden Wheels In Hagersville/[same] (Sweetwater) FJE-004
Albums
1980 Fred J. Eaglesmith (Boot) BOS-7215
1983 The Boy That Just Went Wrong (New Woodshed) NWS-017
1987 Indiana Road (Sweetwater) FSE-003
1995 Drive-In Movie (Vertical – US) VER 4218-2
1997 Lipstick Lies & Gasoline (Razor & Tie) RT 2831-2
1999 50-Odd Dollars (Razor & Tie) 7930182843-2
2002 Falling Stars and Broken Hearts (A Major Label) FSE-008
2003 The Official Fred Eaglesmith Bootleg, Vol. 1: Live Solo 2002 [2CD] (independent)
2004 Dusty (A Major Label) FSE-010
2005 The Official Fred Eaglesmith Bootleg, Vol. 2: The Fred Eaglesmith Texas Weekend 2004 [2CD] (independent)
2006 Milly’s Café (A Major Label) FSE-011
2008 Tinderbox (Lonesome Day – US) LDR-014
2010 Cha Cha Cha (Lonesome Day – US) LDR-032
2011 6 Volts (A Major Label) EAG-CD-5600
2012 6 Volts (eONE – US) EAG-CD-5600
2013 Tambourine (A Major Label) EAG-CD-5662
2016 Standard (A Major Label) FSE-015
as FRED EAGLESMITH & THE FLYING SQUIRRELS
1991 There Ain’t No Easy Road (Sweetwater) FSE-004
1993 Things Is Changin’ (Sweetwater) FSE-006
1994 From the Paradise Motel (Barbed Wire) BWR-2001
2000 Ralph’s Last Show: Live in Santa Cruz [2CD] (A Major Label)
as FRED EAGLESMITH & THE FLATHEAD NOODLERS
2003 Balin (A Major Label) FSE-009
as FRED EAGLESMITH & TIF GINN
2020 Alive [2CD] (A Major Label)
EARLY, Bernie
Born: 1937 in Cornwall, Ontario
Singles
1958 Rock Doll/Your Kisses Kill Me (MGM) K-12640
1959 I Do Believe He’s Fibbin’/I’ve Got A Date With Evalina (Rodeo) 45-RO.220
1962 Ferris Wheel Twist/True Love’s Guessing Game (Pace)
1963 Honestly/Marie Antoinette (Plaza) PL-6005-Q
1972 Oh California/Beginning Of Love (Cachet) CA-2102
with BERNIE EARLY WITH THE COUNTRY ALLSTARS
1967 Chaser For The Blues/Stop Me! (Before It’s Too Late) (WGP) WG-1003
1968 Chaser For The Blues/Stop Me! (Before It’s Too Late) [re-issue(Columbia) C4-2786
Compilation Tracks
1981 “Rock Doll” on ‘MGM Rockabilly Collection Volume 2’ (MGM – UK) 2354-147
1992 “Rock Doll” on ‘Ultra Rare Rockabilly’s, Volume 2’ (Chief – Netherlands) CCD-1156502
1992 “Your Kisses Kill Me” on ‘Ultra Rare Rockabilly’s, Volume 6’ (Chief – Netherlands) CCD-1156506
1993 “Rock Doll” on ‘M.G.M Rockabilly Collection Volume One’ (Big Tone – UK) BT-5703
1993 “Your Kisses Kill Me” on ‘M-G-M Rockabillies Volume 2’ (Big Tone – UK) BT-5713
1996 “Rock Doll” and “Your Kisses Kill Me” on ‘That’ll Flat … Git It! Vol. 7: Rockabilly From The Vaults Of M-G-M Records’ (Bear Family – Germany) BCD-15789AH
1999 “Your Kisses Kill Me” on ‘Big Noise From The Planet Bop, Vol. 3’ (Boparama) BOP-003
2011 “Rock Doll” on ‘Rock-A-Billy Rock And Roll & Hillbilly (200 Original Hits & Rarities)’ [10CD (The Intense Media/Documents – Europe) 233313
2011 “Rock Doll” on ‘Essential Rockabilly – The MGM Story’ [2CD (One Day) DAY2CD139
2012 “Rock Doll” on ‘MGM Rockabilly’ [2CD] (Pink ‘N’ Black – UK) PBCD-020
2001 “Rock Doll” and “Ferris Wheel Twist” on ‘Early Canadian Rockers Vol. I’ (Collector) CLCD-4426
EARTHQUAKE
Jack August [aka Jack Geisinger] (bass, lead vocals) / Hovaness “John” Hagopian (guitar, vocals) / Derek Kendrick (drums, percussion, vocals)
From Montréal, Quebéc. The band would later change their name to Moonquake. [also see MOONQUAKE]
Singles
1972 Remember/The Winter (Gamma) GA-5038
EarthTONES, The
Dana Crawford (vocals) / Scott Henderson (vocals) / Chris Liscano (vocals) / Tim Mason (vocals) / Jesiahh (vocals) / Peterpot (beatbox) / Adam Stanton (vocals)
Calgary’s The EarthTONES was formed in 1992 as an a cappella act featuring Crawford, Henderson and Mason. They released their first album called ‘Those Darn Hoodlums’ the same year. In 1993, instrumentation was added to the EarthTONES sound when Jesiahh and Liscano joined the line-up. The following year, the album ‘To Be Continued’ was released. Two songs from the CD, “Daydream” and “Move This Night” hit the national charts. The EarthTONES commercial success also earned it awards and nominations. In 1995, they were nominated for a JUNO Award and the following year the group won the 1996 Alberta Recording Industry Association award for ‘Best Blues/Soul/R&B Artist’. The band released their third album, ‘Blindfolded and Ready’, in 1997. However, they were now struggling against the industry glut of ‘boy bands’ and felt that their soulful R & B couldn’t get recognition over the fads and trends. They disbanded in 1998. They did manage to score five Top20 hits in Canada, toured North America, and several overseas tours in Europe and Asia. They performed Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and were the first western group to tour Universities in Taiwan. The EarthTONES were even invited to record at Prince’s Paisley Park recording studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In April 2010, The EarthTONES reunited (minus Mason) for a charity event at Calgary’s Jack Singer Concert Hall. In rehearsals they worked out a medley of Michael Jackson songs to pay homage to the late singer. The reaction from the charity crowd led to accepting an invite to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Michael Jackson Tribute Concert on the 1st anniversary of his death – June 27th, 2010. The group has been working on a new album since 2011. They released single “O Come All Ye Faithful” in November 2011.
Singles
1994 Daydream
1995 Sally (Start) SRMD-4001
1995 Sally [4 mixes 12″] (Start – US) SRT-4001
1995 Move This Night
1998 Cryin’ Over U (ZYX Music/A’Sign Produxt) ZYX-8941-8
1998 Why Must I Fall On My Knees/I Can’t Stop Loving You (ZYX Music/A’Sign Produxt) ZYX- 8858-8
2000 Swing, Swing (Sing, Sing) [4 mixes] (A45 – Germany) 0108295A45
2011 O Come All Ye Faithful [Digi-File] (Soul Motion Artists)
Albums
1992 Those Darn Hoodlums (5 Guys, 49 Toes – What The…?) (Earthtones) 00769
1993 To Be Continued… (Passion) PRD-945
1996 Blindfolded And Ready (Earthtones)76127-0282-2
EASTCOAST RIDER
Wendall Donovan (vocal, acoustic) / Paul Cropley (vocal, bass, fiddle, banjo, harmonica) / Andy Thornburn (keyboards, vocal) / Omar Langlois (guitar, vocal) / Tony Fantauzzi (drums)
Singles
1982 Five Dollars/Shanty (World) WRC3-1750
1984 Even a Wild Rose Needs Love/Someone To Love (Axe) AXE-74
1984 Only a Friend/You Think You’re So Special (Axe) AXE-79
as WENDALL DONOVAN AND EASTCOAST RIDER
1986 Love Comes Easy (Axe) AXE-93
EAST, Adam
Born: Adam Gailiunas in Edmonton, Alberta
Adam East (brother of Star Collector’s Vic Gailiunas) is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and a former member of Star Collector. He relocated to Portland, Oregon where he has had several collaborative projects including Ce-Li-Lo (pronounced suh – lie – low) with organ/pedal steel player Dave Pulliam, and Sweet Juice with Kris Deelane. [also see STAR COLLECTOR]
Singles
with CE-LI-LO
2011 Sunken Ships/Baroque Blues (Homesweet – UK)
Albums
with CE-LI-LO
2005 Ricochet (independent)
2006 Homesweet And Leery (independent)
2007 The Man Who Owns The Sand (independent)
2009 Bending Mirrors (independent)
2011 Buoy Bell (Homesweet – UK)
with SWEETJUICE
1999 Sweet Juice (If You Want It Done Right – US) DNRTCD-5
2009 Swim (Number One Records – US)
EAST AFRICAN AFFAIR [see INFERNO 5 PLUS 1]
EASTERN PASSAGE
John Lacasse (lead vocals, guitar) / Bob Cote (lead guitar) / Larry Evans (guitar) / Larry Corrigan (bass) / John Fortier (drums) / Bob Gauthier (organ)
Originally called the In-Crowd, followed by the In-Sect, this Ottawa band settled on the name Eastern Passage in 1967 not long before getting discovered in manager Donald Billows’ nightclub The Oak Door by the owners of Sir John A. Records. Their debut single was a remake of the Crickets’ “When You Ask About Love” in October 1967 which did nothing on the charts. Billows, instead, set his sights on breaking them stateside. They recorded “I Could Make You Fall In Love” and released it August 1968 on their own Zoo Records by Billows paying a well-connected promoter in Ohio to plug the record. The song began gaining traction in Pittburgh and Cleveland and drew the attention of Warner Brothers reps who were about to sign the act to a major deal in the US until internal reorganization left them in limbo – eventually leading to the label scrapping the deal. The Eastern Passage drifted around the Ottawa scene until 1970 before splitting up. with notes from Marc Coulavin and Alexander J. Taylor.
Singles
1967 When You Ask About Love/Love Is Gone (Sir John A.) RG-1021
1968 I Could Make You Fall In Love/I Feel So Fine (Zoo – US) 5001
Compilation Tracks
1995 “When You Ask About Love”, “Love Is Gone”, “I Could Make You Fall In Love”, “I’m So Glad” on ‘Ottawa Rocks: The Sir John A. Years (1966 – 1968)’ (Sound Investment Enterprises) D-11101
EASTERNERS
Singles
1964 Some Kinda Earthquake/The Angels Listened In (Meteor) 702
EATON, Timothy
Timothy Eaton got his start as member of Ottawa’s Marshmallow Soup Group who had only managed one hit record, “I Love Candy”, in 1969. The record did, however, allow the group to play a show in Lima, Peru at the International Trade Fair. After the demise of the band Eaton embarked on a solo career and formed his own group under the alias Timothy. They had a short run with “Riverboat Ladies” on the RPM CanCon Top40 chart in July 1972 peaking at No.35. In 1973, the follow-up single – “Rock and Roll Music” – peaked at No.80 on the RPM chart. Eaton would later release perform under the pseudonym Buster Brown. [also see MARSHMALLOW SOUP GROUP]
Singles
as TIMOTHY
1972 Riverboat Ladies/Brotherhood (RCA/Victor) 75-1088
1973 Rock And Roll Music/Tammy Tease (RCA Victor) 75-1108
ECHO MEN
From Montréal, Quebéc.
Albums
1964 Elephant Rage with the Echo Men (Plaza) PL-3307
ECHO TONES, The
Cornelius Van Sprang [aka Ronnie King] (rhythm guitar) / Emile Van Sprang (bass) / Archie Southern (guitar) / Floyd Sneed (drums)
Originally called The Echoes, this Calgary, Alberta act formed in 1962. The band released one single on Sotan Records. They split up in 1964. Sneed would join Little Daddies & The Bachelors before eventually joining Three Dog Night. Sneed died January 27, 2023; Cornelius would change his name to Ronnie King and Emile would change his name to Van Louis and the pair would co-found The Stampeders. [also see THE STAMPEDERS, LITTLE DADDIE & THE BACHELORS]
Singles
1963 Lowdown Guitar/Inland Surfer (Sotan) S-10003
ECLIPSE
Jesse Otten (vocals) / Pierre Gauthier (guitar; synths) / Mike DiNardo (drums) / Claude Laferriere (bass, synths)
Eclipse was the brainchild of Pierre Gauthier who had nominal success with the group Aut’Chose having released two albums in 1974 and 1975. By 1977 Euro-disco was storming the globe and specifically in Quebéc allowing Gauthier to make the leap to disco. The ‘Night And Day’ album was released in 1977 on Direction Records featuring originals by the group but it was the inclusion of watered down disco takes on previous pop and rock hits like “Born To Be Wild” (Steppenwolf), “Sunshine Superman” (Donovan) and “You Really Got Me” (The Kinks) that attracted attention. American club DJs found copies of the record and quickly began spinning the remake of “You Really Got Me”. The song’s early buzz generated interest from Casablanca Records who quickly released it in the US. Following the short-lived Eclipse Gauthier continued performing and studio work before forming Aut’Chose for several albums in the early ’80s. In 2001 he released a ‘best of’ Aut’Chose CD.
Singles
1977 You Really Got Me/Born To Be Wild (Direction/Polydor) D4-122
Albums
1977 Night And Day (Direction/Polydor) DLP-1000
ECONOLINE CRUSH
Tom Ferris (synthesizer) / Trevor Hurst (lead vocals) / Gregg Leask (drums) / Robbie Morfitt (guitar) / Daniel Yaremko (bass) / Hack (guitar) / Ziggy Sigmund (guitar) / Bob Wagner (drums) / Don Bins (bass) / Ken Fleming (bass) / Thom Christiansen (bass) / Niko Quintal (drums) / Johnny Haro (drums) / Mark Peterson (guitar)
Early in 1992, Tom Ferris (formerly of Möev) put an ad in a Seattle newspaper looking for a singer who could perform over a bed of electronic music. Singer Trevor Hurst answered the ad and the beginnings of Vancouver’s Econoline Crush were born. A couple of months later they played their first dates in Vancouver and eventually went through their share of member changes. Finally the line-up solidified at Hurst, Gregg Leask, Robbie Morfitt, Daniel Yaremko, and Hack. The band toured across the country and in 1993 the buzz across Canada regarding Econoline Crush was building so the band decided that, rather than wait for a major record label to come to them, they would record independently. The result was the six song EP ‘Purge’ produced by Dale Penner (Nickelback). The reception to this EP was so strong that they received a JUNO Award nomination for it, and tours across the country were sold out. The band secured a recording deal with EMI Music Canada, and in 1994 returned to the studio with producer Rhys Fulber (Download) to record their first full-length album, ‘Affliction’, which was released in 1995. Receiving positive critical and public response, Econoline Crush toured across the country once again to rave reviews from across the board. They also toured Europe three times and performed at the POP KOMM Festival in Germany with American band Filter. Over the next couple of years, there were many personnel changes in the band and when the dust settled the line-up was Hurst, Morfitt, Sigmund, Wagner and Fleming. After signing a management deal with Bruce Allen Talent Agency (Bryan Adams, Martina McBride), they headed back into the studio with producer Sylvia Massy-Shivy (Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool) for their second album, ‘The Devil You Know’. The album was released in 1997 to mixed reviews but massive radio play for the singles “Home” and “All That You Are”. They also toured with KISS, Foo Fighters, and Green Day. Following the album’s stateside release in 1998, Econoline Crush toured with KISS and Stabbing Westward. For album number four, Econoline Crush went to California to work with Bob Rock, Chris Vrenna (Nine Inch Nails), DJ Swamp and Paul Raven (Killing Joke, Ministry). The album ‘Brand New Day’ was again met with mixed reviews but sold well on the back of the singles “Make It Right” and “You Don’t Know What It’s Like”. However, there wasn’t enough momentum for the group to carry on and Econoline disbanded in 2001. Trevor Hurst attempted to move forward with his own band, Hurst, but in 2007 he assembled a new version of Econoline Crush featuring HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brent_Fitz” \o “Brent Fitz”Brent Fitz, Scott Whalen, Kai Markus and led to the 2008 comeback record ‘Ignite’. A nearly year-long tour followed as openers for Seether, Three Days Grace, Staind and Alice Cooper. In April 2010 Morfitt returned to the line-up and the group added Greg Williamson (drums) and Tupelo Honey bassist Steve Vincent. EMI decided to jump on the tail end of the revival by releasing ‘Surefire: The Best of Econoline Crush’. In 2011, Econoline Crush released a new EP ‘The People Have Spoken – Volume 1. Recently the band filed a lawsuit alleging that Nickelback’s 2003 song “Figured You Out” was stolen from Econoline’s song “All That You Are”. The case has yet to be decided; Ziggy Sigmund died March 9, 2022
Singles
1995 Wicked [4 mixes] (EMI) CDPRO-1054
1995 Nowhere Now [4 mixes] (EMI) CDPRO-1114
1995 Close (Edited Version)/Close (EMI) CDPRO-1154
1997 All That You Are (X3) (Boomtang Mix)/All That You Are (X3) (Boomtang Extended Mix) (EMI) 884913
1997 Sparkle & Shine (CHR Remix) (EMI) CDPRO-1702
1997 Razorblades & Bandaides (EMI) CDPRO-1739
1997 Home [3 mixes]/Burnt (EMI) 85283
1999 Surefire (Never Enough) [4 mixes] (Restless/EMI) RPRO-131
1999 You Don’t Know What It’s Like (EMI) DPRO-1936
2001 Make It Right (EMI) DPRO-2065
2001 Trash (EMI) DPRO-2175
2008 Get Out of the Way
2020 Fight Like The Devil [DigiFile] (Amalien)
Albums
1993 Purge Demo [8-song cassette] (independent)
1994 Purge [6-song EP] (EMI) 28989
1995 Affliction (EMI) 32072
1996 The Devil You Know [5-song EP] (Restless/EMI) CDPRO-1514
1997 The Devil You Know (Restless/EMI) 838244
1997 The Devil You Know [4-song EP] (Restless/EMI) CDPRO-1657
2001 Brand New History [2CD] (Restless/EMI) 524574
2008 Ignite (Moshpit/Fontana North) FNCD-5528
2010 Surefire: The Best of Econoline Crush (EMI) 908050
2011 The People Have Spoken – Volume 1 [3-song EP] (ECX3) EVR-001
2023 When The Devil Drives
EDGE, The
Kim “Amber” Burns (vocals) / Dr. Orrin The Horn Beard (saxophone) / Fred Duvall (drums) / Paul Osborne (bass) / Brett Piekarz (keyboards) / Dean Rundle (guitars, vocals)
Singles
1984 Without You/Fire In My Eyes (EMC) EMC-102
EDMUNDS, Geoff
Born: 1940 in Cardiff, Wales
Geoff Edmunds is the older brother of UK rocker Dave Edmunds. The two spent the 1950s and 1960s in bands together before Dave Edmunds found fame and fortune as a solo artist and member of Rockpile. Geoff soon left the unstable life as a part-time musician to focus on his work as an advertising salesman for the ‘South Wales Echo’ newspaper. The paper would be purchased by Canadian media mogul Roy Thomson and after a shake up by the Canadian head-office, Edmunds was offered a chance to work in Canada, where he and his family relocated. In Canada, he worked for the Calgary Herald, The Hamilton Spectator and ran his own paper for 12 years called the ‘Western Wheel’. He dabbled with music again, releasing his self-titled debut on Rockshire Records stateside in 1983. He would also release another album of country music a few years later. Eventually, he sold the ‘Western Wheel’ and settled in Victoria, British Columbia where he formed a classified ad company that worked their sales on the Internet called Jobs Canada Inc. The business expanded with investors coming on board as they added realty and automobile listings as well. The Southam Company became one of several large investors but when Conrad Black increased his shares in Southam in 1996 he buried the idea of investing in on-line classified advertising and the company went out of business nearly overnight leaving 135 people unemployed including Edmunds. He went into the battery business, selling his Battery Power Online starting in 2004. In 2000 Pacemaker Entertainment released a ‘best of’ CD that also contained some live recordings featuing him, Dave Edmunds, cousin Phil Chapman (UFO) and drummer Aynsley Dunbar. In recent years Edmunds has published an eBook suspense novel and his autobiography entitled ‘Money, Music & Madness: A Journey into the Bizarre Life and Times of a Rock ’n’ Roll CEO’. His 3rd solo album, ‘True, Blue Me’, was released in 2011. with notes from Geoff Edmunds and Tom Hawthorn.
Singles
1983 Cathy’s Song/Running Free (Rocshire – US) XR-95039
1983 Running Free/Everybody Love My Rock N Roll (Rocshire – US) XR-95048
1984 She Made A Fool (of This Honky-Tonkin’ Man)/Saturday Night) (Jinga)
WRC3-3819
1984 (Where You Gonna Find A) Country Boy Like Me/The Girl I Left Behind (Jinga) WRC3-4447
Albums
1983 Geoff Edmunds (Rochshire – US) XR-22013
1985 Honky Tonks And Hardwood Floors (Jinga) WRC1-5267
2000 The Best of Geoff Edmunds (Pacemaker) PACE-031
2011 True Blue Me
as GEOFF EDMUNDS with lyrics by FLORRA PFEIFER
1977 A Little Bit of Lovin’ (Horizon) HOR-7741
EDWARD AND HARDING
Donald Edward Owen (acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals) / William Harding Candy (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, recorder, vocals) / Ken McLean (keyboards) / George Korenko (bass, vocals)
Edward and Harding were friends at Gordon Graydon High School, Mississauga, Ontario, in the 1960’s. Edward was performing in The Fabulous Fables and Candy in The Soundbenders. When they finally left those bands to perform together, they formed The Change in Time and played Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones and other British invasion bands. When the folk scene arrived they dropped their electric guitars for acoustics and formed Edward and Harding. Their first gig was at a high school assembly fundraiser. They went on to do high school concerts, dances and frat parties as well as festivals opening for the likes of Lighthouse, Rush (who played their high school) and would even open for The Stampeders in Calgary when “Sweet City Woman” broke big. After high school Edward and Harding’s management got them a two album deal with Celebration/Quality Records. Their self-titled debut in 1971 yielded a minor charting hit in “Mr. Sunlight” which peaked at No.74 on the RPM Magazine Top 100 singles chart. Keyboardist Bill McLean from Graydon High School band The Freedom Sound joined in 1973. Edward, Harding and Mclean embarked on a 20 plus year career playing clubs, concerts, radio and TV. They began as a vocal trio doing a lot of Crosby, Stills and Nash and America folk material which got them noticed by an American agent who set them up touring campuses in the US where they shared stages with The Guess Who, Jerry-Jeff Walker (Mr. Bojangles), comedian David Brenner, comedian Billy Crystal and the yet undiscovered Jim Carrey at a university showcase. They discovered the vocal music of the swing era and began massing a repertoire of songs from The Mills Brothers, Glen Miller, The Andrew Sisters, etc. Edward, Harding & McLean were regulars on CBC Radio’s ‘Morningside’ (with hosts Harry Brown, Don Herron and Peter Gzowski) and regulars on the daytime variety show ‘The Bob McLean Show’. A highlight was going to Disney World to tape a CBC Superspecial with Rene Simard and Ryan’s Fancy. They also opened for female impersonator Jim Bailey at the O’Keefe Center and other opening slots for the likes of Ronnie Hawkins, Chilliwack and post-David Clayton-Thomas Blood, Sweat and Tears at the Ontario Place Forum. The show was taped for a CBC TV special in front of 10,000 people. Edward, Harding & McLean also did CBC’s first full length transcription album entitled ‘Now and Then’ and went on to produce their own self-titled album for Sefel Records in 1981. They did spots on the Canadian produced Kenny Rogers sharing the stage with Lynda Ronstadt and BB King. Edward, Harding & McLean also co-hosted CBC’s ‘Who’s New’ out of Windsor, Ontario for 13 episodes. Harding would write, perform and produce two solo albums under his real name Bill Candy – ‘Closer to the Music’ (1995) and ‘Common Ground’ (2002). Susan Aglulark also recorded one of Candy’s songs on her ‘This Child’ CD. Edward (aka Don Owen) opened a restaurant in Cobourg, Ontario called The Oasis Bar and Grill. In 2008 Edward & Harding resumed as a duo and created a show featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel exclusively along with a number of backing musicians. The show was recorded and released as a new CD that year
Singles
1971 Mr. Sunlight/Mrs.Whatmough (Celebration) CEL-2000X
1971 Piddle/Since She Said I Love You (Celebration) CEL-2010X
as EDWARD, HARDING & McLEAN
1982 Choo Choo Ch Boogie/Down in the Dumps, Up on the Penthouse Floor (Sefel) 45-110
1982 White Christmas (EHM)
1983 Blue White Nova/Born to Be With Me (EHM)
Albums
1971 Edward and Harding (Celebration) CEL-1857
as EDWARD, HARDING & GEORGE
1972 Half & Half (Celebration) CEL-1870
as EDWARD, HARDING & McLEAN
1980 Now and Then(CBC)
1981 Edward, Harding & McLean (Sefel) SEF-1008
as EDWARD & HARDING AND THE OLD FRIENDS BAND
2008 Bookends: The Show (CD Baby)
EDWARD BEAR
Larry Evoy (drums, vocals) / Danny Marks (guitar) / Paul Weldon (keyboards) / Craig Hemming (bass) / Dave Brown (drums) / Bill Loop (bass) / Roger Ellis (guitar; replaced Marks 1970) / Bob Kendall (keyboards; replaced Weldon 1972) / Barry Best (keyboards; replaced Kendall 1974)
Edward Bear (named after the real name of literature’s Winnie The Pooh) was formed in 1967, initially as a five piece called The Edward Bear Revue (that included two drummers) where they would rehearse at the offices of Toronto’s Klein & Sears Architects. After an internal shuffle, the band became a trio with Marks, Weldon and Evoy adding vocal duties to his drumming duties. They struggled through the Yorkville scene in Toronto until finally landing some high profile gigs opening for Paul Butterfield and Led Zeppelin at Toronto’s Rockpile. This was enough to attract the likes of Capitol Records in 1969 which was beginning to sign more rock oriented acts in Canada like Mother Tucker’s Yellow Duck and Pepper Tree. Their debut album, ‘Bearings’, was released without much fanfare, or a single, but after radio responded to the song “You, Me & Mexico”, it was released in February 1970 and became a hit in Canada, reaching No.3 on the international charts and No.68 in the U.S. Alas, they embarked on a disastrous tour of Canada (ending up stranded in Vancouver for a week with only one poorly attended gig at the University of British Columbia). Roger Ellis was brought in on guitar to help complete their follow-up LP, ‘Eclipse’, in 1970. The album failed to find a substantial audience after the single “You Can’t Deny It” showed poorly on the charts. However, the band was hitting its stride with their third album in 1972, ‘Edward Bear’, with back-to-back charting singles: “Fly Across The Sea” and “Masquerade” but the new commercial sound wasn’t the direction that Weldon had come to expect from the band’s earlier outings and he left before their biggest selling single, “Last Song”, was released in 1972. The song went to No.1 in Canada, No.3 in the U.S. and Top 5 in Australia; it sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. The American arm of Capitol re-issued “You, Me & Mexico” as the follow-up and it re-entered the U.S. charts. The group won the ‘Outstanding Performance By A Group’ JUNO Award in 1972. Album four, 1973’s ‘Close Your Eyes’ – loosely based on Evoy’s embrace of Scientology – featured new addition Bobby Kendall and was augmented with the help of fellow Capitol Records act The New Potatoes. The title track hit No.3 in Canada and Top 30 in the U.S. With another LINE-UP change in 1974, Edward Bear finally split that year and Larry Evoy went on to a semi-successful solo career but is currently retired and breeding show horses; Danny Marks has continued a very successful career as a blues guitar veteran; Weldon performs with a jazz combo and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto; Loop resides in South Western Ontario and plays locally with various session musicians. He also teaches guitar; Ellis has been releasing independent CDs for several years – mostly cover material – and can be seen around Toronto as a performer for the Toronto Transit’s subway entertainer series. He is currently recording a new solo album being produced by Larry Evoy. In 1984, Evoy worked with producer Rich Dodson for several singles under the name ‘Edward Bear’ on indie label Ursa Major Records in 1985. By 1990 the original line-up were rehearsing under speculation they would reunite for a record, but a new ‘best of’ compilation was released instead featuring the newly recorded tracks from 1984 several new songs. However, in 2009 at the behest of rock journalist Ritchie Yorke, the original three members reunited at a small gathering in Toronto. with notes from Danny Marks, Roger Ellis, Jimi Bertucci and Andy Summerlin. [also see LARRY EVOY, DANNY MARKS]
Singles
1970 You, Me & Mexico/Sinking Ship (Capitol) 72603
1970 You Can’t Deny It/Toe Jam (Capitol) 72622
1971 Spirit Song (short version)/Spirit Song (long version) (Capitol) 72638
1972 Fly Across The Sea/Four Months Out Of Africa (Capitol) 72653
1972 Masquerade/Pirate King (Capitol) 72662
1972 Last Song/Best Friend (Capitol) 72677
1973 Close Your Eyes/Cache County (Capitol) 72692
1973 Walking On Back/I Love Her (Capitol) 72709
1973 Coming Home Christmas/Does Your Mother Know (Capitol) 72715
1974 Same Old Feeling/Fool (Capitol – US) 72722
1974 Freedom For The Stallion/Why Won’t You Marry Me? (Capitol) 72734
1975 On And On/Someone Who Loves You (Capitol) 72756
1985 Feels Right/[same] (Ursa Major) URS-101
1985 Slip Away/[same] (Ursa Major) URS-102
Albums
1969 Bearings (Capitol) SKAO-6328
1970 Eclipse (Capitol) SKAO-6349
1972 Edward Bear (Capitol) ST-6387
1973 Close Your Eyes (Capitol) SKAO-6395
1984 The Best Of The Bear (1969-1984) (Capitol) SN-66154
1991 Collection (EMI Music Canada) C2-26585
Compilation Tracks
1975 “Last Song” on ‘Canada Gold – 22 Karat Hits’ (K-Tel) TC-225
1996 “Last Song” on ‘Oh What a Feeling: A Vital Collection of Canadian Music’ (MCA) JUNO-25
EDWARDS, Cliff
Cliff Edwards grew up in St. Eustache-sur-le-La, Quebec (now Deux Montagnes) and played in a rockabilly band in his senior year of high school. Following high school, and in serious pursuit of a music career, Edwards appeared on a CFCF-TV talent show in Montréal. It was there that he met two sisters from England – Anne and Jacki Ralphs. Together they decided to form The Five Bells in Montréal in 1965 with Doug Gravelle and Gordie McLeod. The band’s rock-of-all-ages appeal took them from dates in Canadian small towns to 11 weeks at New York City’s Copacabana night club, and then to multi-million dollar resort hotels throughout the US and world-famous vacation spots in Bermuda and the Bahamas. They cut their first single – Rick Neufeld’s “Moody Manitoba Morning” – in 1969. The song earned them two Moffatt Awards that year. This was followed by a full-blown album called ‘Dimensions’ on Polydor Records. With the departure of Ann Ralph (then married to Cliff Edwards) in 1970 to become a full-time Mom, the band adjusted its line-up and renamed themselves The Bells. Their debut album ‘Fly, Little White Dove, Fly’ and its title track landed the band in the Top10 on the Canadian charts in December 1970. The 1971 follow-up single “Stay Awhile”, however, would proved to be a monster hit – going to No. 1 in Canada and No. 7 in the US on the Billboard Top-100 in March 1971. This led to successful appearances in the US including TV shows like Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’, Merv Griffin, and Guy Lombardo’s annual New Years Eve telecast. The single would go on to sell four million copies worldwide. They rapidly climbed the ladder of success, touring Canada and the United States to great critical acclaim on the heels of 1972’s ‘Studio “A”. After a band line-up change they recorded their final album in 1973 entitled ‘Pisces Rising’. Edwards would go on to have a very lucrative solo career with a frequent release of albums and singles on Polydor, Columbia, Boot and A & M Records, including a country-pop album recorded in Nashville in 1988. He also briefly reunited with his ex-wife Ann Edwards (nee Ralph) for the album ‘Edward and Ralph’ in 1978 on Ariola Records. He studied broadcasting and became a set designer and camera-man for CKWS-TV in Kingston, Ontario as well as cameraman on the 1988 Calgary Oympics, and wrote/produced the children’s TV show The Corner Shop. He eventually settled in Gananoque, Ontario where he has be chairman of events for the Festival of the Islands. At the turn of the millennium, The Bells frequently re-united for one-off shows including three reunion concerts in 2003 (Port Hope, Brockville and Kingston). Universal Music finally fashioned a ‘best of’ package in 2005 under the supervision of the band. with notes from Darrell Drake, Bob Crane, Ann Ralph-Edwards, Jacki Ralph Jamieson, Juleen Will, Diane Will, Bruce Cairns, Dave Normandale, Rick Neufeld, Kevin Hunter, and Will Cardinal. [also see THE BELLS]
Singles
1972 Uncle Dad And Auntie Mom/Hold Me (Polydor) 2065-150
1973 I Know I Can/You’ve Gone Away (Polydor) 2065-172
1973 Carpenter of Wood/Get Yourself Some Sunshine (Polydor) 2065-203
1974 Say Goodbye To Anne/My Songs Are Sleeping (Polydor) 2065-218
1974 Love Maybe The Answer/Nursery Rhymes (Columbia) C4-4026
1976 Singer of Songs/Less Than the Song (A & M) AM-400
1976 Song For Wendy/Goodtime Song (A & M) AM-406
1976 (There’s A) Fire Burning Still/Never Thought You’d Make (A & M) AM-417
1980 What’s Forever For/What We Had Then (Boot) BTX-280
1981 Easier Said Than Done
1981 Grab the Money and Run/Country Rock N’ Roll (Boot) BTX-299
1982 Keep Your Hands Off/What’s Forever For (Boot) BTX-317
1984 Storm/In My Eyes (Radio-Canada) LMS-002
1989 She’s My Woman
1989 Highway #1
with CLIFF & ANN EDWARDS
1973 Carry On/Hold Me (Polydor) 2065-194
with EDWARDS & RALPH
1979 All Over Again (At Every End There’s a Beginning)/Let My Love Be (Ariola – US)
AA-7679
Albums
1973 Transition (Polydor) 2424-071
1974 Carpenter Of Wood (Polydor) 2424-089
1976 Singer of Songs (A & M) SP-9021
1981 What’s Forever For (Boot) BOS-7222
1988 From a Quiet Room (Summit Sound) SC1-5055
2013 Sailing [4 song EP] (CD Baby)
with EDWARDS & RALPH
1978 Edwards and Ralph (Ariola – US) SW-50022
EDWARDS, Kathleen
Born: Kathleen Margaret Edwards on July 11, 1978 in Ottawa, Ontario
Kathleen Edwards is the daughter of Leonard Edwards – former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Canada. Because of her father’s job she spent part of her childhood in both Korea and Switzerland. She took classical violin lessons from the age 5 to 17. When she finished high school she decided to forego post-secondary education and, instead, began playing in bars to earn a living. In 1999, Edwards recorded a limited edition six-song independent EP entitled ‘Building 55’. Within the year she was touring Canada on her own dime. Following a high-profile showcase at 2002’s SXSW in Austin, Texas and was signed to Rounder Records in the US with distribution on Maple Music in Canada. Her debut album, ‘Failer’, was released in the fall of 2002 on MapleMusic Recordings. The album spawned the singles “Hockey Skates” and “Six O’Clock News”. A tour featuring singer-songwriters was planned with Dave Rave (Teenage Head) and Tom Wilson (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings) to tour Canada when Edwards got the call to appear on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman” and she had to bow out. In 2005, Edwards released her sophomore album, ‘Back to Me’, which featured the title track and “In State” as singles. Her song “Summerlong” was used in the soundtrack to the movie ‘Elizabethtown’ starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. In 2006, she was nominated for JUNO Awards as ‘Songwriter of the Year’ and ‘Adult Alternative Album of the Year’ for ‘Back to Me’. In 2008, Edwards released her third studio album, ‘Asking for Flowers’, which was nominated to the shortlist for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize. In fall 2010, Edwards recorded her fourth studio album, ‘Voyageur’, in Wisconsin which was co-produced by Justin Vernon of the band Bon Iver. The album was released in January 2012 which led to another appearance on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’. Edwards has also contributed vocals to recordings by John Doe (ex-X), Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Arkells, Jim Cuddy, and Bryan Adams’ 2008 album ’11’. She was also Adams’ opening act on his tour to promote the album. Edwards was previously married to Colin Cripps (Junkhouse).
Singles
2002 Six O’Clock News/Lone Wolf (Zoë) P1-1264
2003 One More Song That the Radio Won’t Like (Remix) (Zoë) CDPR-1270P
2003 Hockey Skates (Zoë ) P1-ZOE-1278
2005 Back to Me/Copied Keys [7”] (Zoë – USA) PSI-01
2005 In State (Zoë – US) PSI-102
2008 I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory (Remix)/I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory (Album Version) (Rounder/Decca – EUR) DINT-0184
2011 Change the Sheets (Radio Edit) (Rounder/Universal) LC-15025
2011 Change the Sheets/Wapusk [7”] (Zoë – UK) 01143-2083-2
2011 Sidecars (Rounder/Universal – EUR)
2020 Fools Ride [DigiFile with pre-order] (Dualtone)
2020 Simple Math [DigiFile with pre-order] (Dualtone)
Albums
1999 Building 55 [7-song EP]
2002 Failer (Maple Music) MRCD-6406
2003 Live from the Bowery Ballroom [CD + DVD] (Maple Music) 01143-2004-2
2004 Back to Me (Maple Music) MRCD-6440
2005 In State [CD + DVD] (Maple Music) 01143-1081-2
2008 Asking For Flowers (Maple Music) MRCD-6487
2008 Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive) [DigiFile]
2012 Voyageur (Maple Music) MRCD-6538
2012 Tiny Desk Concert [4-song EP DigiFile] (NPR – US)
2012 Daytrotter Studio (Rock Island, IL) Feb 20, 2012 [5-song EP Digi-File] (Daytrotter)
2020 Total Freedom [3-song EP Digi-File w/pre-order] (Dualtone)
2020 Total Freedom (Dualtone) 80302-01995-14
Compilation Tracks
2005 “In State” on ‘Women & Songs 9’ (WEA) WTVD-62800
2009 “The Golden State” [w/John Doe] on ‘True Blood (Television Soundtrack)’ (Elektra) 519381
EDWIN
Born: Edwin Ghazal
Edwin, having recorded for Alex Lifeson’s (Rush) side project, Victor, decided to break out on his own and quit his former lead vocalist position with Toronto band I Mother Earth. In 1999 he released ‘Another Spin Around the Sun’ which produced heavy airplay for the singles “Trippin’” and “Hang Ten”. He put a band together called Edwin & The Pressure and toured the album extensively. When the band returned from the road they went into the studio and recorded a self-titled debut as a unit. Following Edwin’s sophomore solo effort, ‘Better Day’, in 2006 he found himself without a record deal. In 2009 he would become the lead vocalist for Supergroup Crash Karma which features members of Tea Party and Our Lady Peace. I, Mother Earth reformed in 2012. [also see CRASH KARMA, I MOTHER EARTH, VICTOR]
Singles
1999 Trippin’ (Sony)
1999 Hang Ten (Sony)
Albums
1999 Another Spin Around the Sun (Epic/Sony) EK-80392
2006 Better Days (Linus/Universal) 70067
with EDWIN & THE PRESSURE
2002 Edwin & The Pressure (Columbia/Sony) CK-80753
with VICTOR
1996 Victor (Anthem) ANSD-1072
Compilation Tracks
2000 “Hang Ten” on ‘Face the Music’ (Sony) TVK-24068
EFREM
Born: Efrem Logreira
South American, Efrem Logreira, was the former percussionist for José Feliciano. In 1971, RCA Records Argentina president Bob Cook became president of RCA Canada and brought Efrem with him. He was soon managed by Canadian fashion designer Marilyn Brooks. Efrem released the single “Kill the Hairy Beast” in the summer of 1971 and a Spanish language equivalent at the same time in Argentia. The follow-up single, “Pu-du-lay”, was released later in the year. Both singles were produced by Ann Hunter. Logreira is now a music industry consultant living in Santa Monica, California.
Singles
1971 Kill the Hairy Beast/Ritual (RCA/Victor) 75-1051
1971 Pu-du-lay/[same] (RCA/Victor) 75-1063
EIGHTY FOUR
Bill Nadeau (guitar) / Wayne Catania / Rick Mizzoni
Power trio signed to Mel Shaw’s Music World Creations label. Nadeau and Catania were working with engineer Rick Mizzoni whose work on ‘Tawna, Spirit of the North’ with Terry Christiansen, got them working with Mel Shaw. In 1979, in-between tours, Mizzoni, Catania and Nadeau were working on a revised band to take on the road at which time Shaw asked them to join the Stampeders. This led to one show in Wawa, Ontario on New Years 1979-80. Unfortunately, it would be the end of the Stampeders and the three piece went their own way as Eighty Four. In return for their attempted resuscitation efforts, Shaw gave them tour contacts and recording projects including their 1983 LP and several movie soundtracks including Jim Carrey’s first movie called ‘All In Good Taste’. Wayne Catania would go on to star in the stage production of Dan Aykroyd’s ‘The Blues Brothers Revival’ in 2004 as Jake Blues (John Belushi’s original character); Rick Mizzoni works for the Blue Leaf Music Production company as producer to acts such as George Canyon, Julian Austin and the Cruzeros among others. Mizzoni was also a member of The Stampeders and Qwest prior to Eighty Four; Bill Nadeau is still playing these days as a blues guitarist in Bill Nadeau And The 21st Century Binary Back-up Band (computer solo). with notes from Bill Nadeau.
Albums
1983 Play To Win (MWC) MWC-8202
EIGHT POINT FIVE
From Bathurst, New Brunswick. The band was originally known as The Generation. They were signed to Don Wayne Patterson’s Jet Records out of Ottawa and changed their name.
Singles
1967 Casey’s Mail Order Bride/Were We Wrong (Jet) JET-4009
EIGHT SECONDS
Andres Del Castillo (vocals) / March Cesare (bass) / Frank Levin (keys) / Scott Milks (drums) / Marc Parent (guitars)
Eight Seconds got its start as an entity when the members became aware of each other in various bands playing the Ottawa club scene. It was 1982 and Castillo, Levin and Milks had all just graduated from high school; encountering each other continuously in the local bars fostered a sort of mutual admiration society between them and they by the end of the summer of ’82 they’d decided to form a band. They wrote and demoed their material to hone their chops until finding Cesare and Parent, and then hit the bars as Eight Seconds. They managed to slip the occasional original into their set of covers, one of which was “Where’s Bula?” The song won them CHEZ 106’s Sharechez ’83 homegrown contest, so they contacted Corvideocom to make a video which got airplay on MuchMusic and MTV’s Basement Tapes show, as well as winning the 1984 Canadian Film and Television Association’s Best Music Video of the Year. These achievement’s plus the band’s potential attracted the attention of Allan White, owner of the video company. He sent them back into the studio to record a five-song EP, 1985’s ‘Ottava Rima’ (pronounced Oh-ta-va Ree-ma), which charted in Ottawa both on CHEZ-106 FM and CFRA-AM. Greg Torrington, music director at CHEZ 106, sent the EP to producer Rupert Hine (the Fixx, Howard Jones) in England, who was so impressed he went on the air in Ottawa and stated publicly that he wished to produce the band. This attention from Rupert caught the attention of the major labels and eventually the band signed with Polygram Records and then went to England to work with Hine. The result was their first full-length release, ‘Almacantar’, in 1987, and a Top 30 hit with “Kiss You (When It’s Dangerous)”. A second album was recorded in 1988 but management hassles and red tape kept the material on the shelf. By 1990 things had been worked out and WEA called with a new deal, and their second album, ‘Big Houses’, was released. In 1987, however, Parent left the fold, and so they added an extra player for their live dates in 1990. The band was lost in the dissolution shuffle of their American record label, ATCO, and the band remained in limbo, effectively causing Eight Seconds to disband. del Castillo is part owner of audio/video production and multimedia company in Ottawa named R+D Creative.Levin was part owner in independent music CD distribution company IndiePool in Toronto and managed his own studio before becoming a importer/exporter of antique furniture and other goods with China. He was previously involved in the production of Alanis Morissette’s 1991 debut dance album ‘Alanis’; Scott Milks became an IT manager for the Canadian Government but is still active in Ottawa’s music scene with Bigger Than John; Marc Parent remains active in the Quebéc music industry and founded Montréal Rock/R & B act Wang Dang Doodle in the late 80’s. Eight Seconds have reunited on several occasions including the 1995 recording of the song “In Your Hands” for the Ottawa Recording Artists United Against AIDS compilation CD ‘Unmuted’ in 1996; In 2002 they appeared on the 2004 Bullseye Records release “It Was 40 Years Ago Today: A Tribute To The Beatles” with their remake of the classic track ‘Hey Jude’; and in 2010 (without Levin who had moved to Shanghai, China) for a live performance; Levin died unexpectedly in his sleep December 1, 2017 in China; Marc Parent replaced Myles Goodwin in April Wine in March 2023. with notes from Frank Levin, Todd Huckabone, and Marc Parent.
Singles
1986 Where’s Bula?/[same] (Apprentice/Polydor/Polygram) DJ-93
1986 Kiss You (When It’s Dangerous)/Land Of The Monster//Kiss You (extended mix) [12″] (Apprentice/Polydor/Polygram) PDSX-2287
1986 Kiss You (When It’s Dangerous)/Land Of The Monster (Apprentice/Polydor/Polygram) PDS-2297
1986 Where’s Bula/Wings// Shoot The Moon/We Set Him Free [2×7”] (Apprentice/Polydor/Polygram) PDS-2302
1986 Where’s Bula? [12″] (Polydor/Polygram) DJP-216
1987 Sincere (I Shall Return) [12″] (Polydor/Polygram) PRO-503
1987 Sincere (I Shall Return)/Commissioner Street (Polydor) PDS-2306
1990 Tell Diane (Atco)
Albums
1985 Otta Va Ri Ma [EP] (Apprentice) AR-001
1986 Almacantar [re-issue] (Apprentice/Polydor/Polygram) 831-1191
1990 Big Houses (Atco) CD-91417
Compilation Tracks
1983 “Where’s Bula?” on ‘Sharechez ’83 Homegrown’ (CHEZ-FM) 106/83
1987 “Kiss You When It’s Dangerous” on ‘Best Of The 60’s/70’s/80’s – The Yuppie Years'(Technics/Polygram) CDP-001
1996 “In Your Hands” on ‘Unmuted: Ottawa Recording Artists United Against AIDS’ (Indiepool) 467
2004 “Hey Jude” on ‘It Was 40 Years Ago Today: A Tribute To The Beatles’ (Bullseye) BLR-4060
EIGHTH DAY
Ron Grant (vocals)
Toronto, Ontario’s Eighth Day was one of the first acts signed to US label GRT’s Canadian affiliate in the summer of 1969 when the label decided to expand its roster to include Canadian talent.
Singles
1969 Hear the Grass Grow/Bring Your Love Back (GRT) GR-901
EIKHARD, June
Born: Marguerite Cameron on December 1, 1932 in Moncton, New Brunswick
Died: February 19, 2023 in Ajax, Ontario
From her family home in Moncton, Eikhard started playing piano at the age of four. Later she began playing accordion, steel guitar, and bass. When she was fifteen she picked up her grandfather’s violin and in a short time was playing jigs and reels. She began to make a name for herself with her husband, Cecil Eikhard, in the band The Tantramar Ramblers. It soon became apparent that Eikhard’s talents needed to be showcased and, in quick time, she was considered Canada’s First Lady of the Fiddle. They began appearing on an assortment of TV shows and radio programs in the Maritimes including the Don Messer Show. She placed in the Championship Class on August 7 & 8, 1959 in the annual Canadian Open Old Time Fiddler’s Contest held in Shelbourne near Orangeville, Ontario. Eikhard was the first woman to do so in the nine years history of the contest. Rodeo Records would release her first album that year entitled, simply ‘Canada’s First Lady of the Fiddle’. She returned for an appearance on ‘Don Messer’s Jubilee’ July 25, 1960. Eikhard and her family moved from the Maritimes to Oshawa in 1963 so that she could be closer to the country music business epicenter in Toronto. In the late 1970s, children’s entertainer Stevedore Steve was given a Sunday afternoon television show on the newly created Moses Znaimer TV network CITY-TV and he had June Eikhard in the house band. In 2006 Eikhard was an inaugural inductee into the Oshawa Walk of Fame. June is mother of hit songwriter Shirley Eikhard. June Eikhard has appeared on albums by Peter Solmes, Gloria Downer Pearson, Garth Bourne, Elly Kelly and Terry Blankley among others; June Eikhard died after complications from abdominal surgery February 19, 2023. notes from James Collins, Lorne Perry, and Frank Woodcock.
Singles
1959 Mocking Bird/Sputnik Breakdown (Alto) QC-636
Albums
1959 Canada’s First Lady Of The Fiddle (Rodeo) RLP-78
1960 Canada’s First Lady of the Fiddle with Her Tantramar Fiddlers (Banff/Rodeo)
RBS-1076
1969 June Eikhard – Canada’s First Lady of the Fiddle (Banff/Rodeo) SBS-5311
Compilation Tracks
1964 “Highland Jig” on ‘Fifty Fiddle Favourites’ (Rodeo) CM-593
1965 “Highland Jig” and “Rodeo Reel” on ’16 Great Jigs And Reels’ (Banff/Rodeo) RBS-1194
1965 “Highland Jig”, “Joys of Québec”, “Crooked Stove Pipe” and “Blue Skirt Waltz” on ‘Canadian Fiddle’ (Banff/Rodeo)
1996 “Highland Jig”, “Joys of Québec”, “Crooked Stove Pipe” and “Blue Skirt Waltz” on ‘Canadian Fiddle’ [CD re-issue] (Holborne) HCD-3302
1998 “Crooked Stove Pipe” and “Blue Skirt Waltz” on ’50 Old-Time Fiddle Hits’ (Holborne) HCD-3367
EIKHARD, Shirley
Born: Shirley Rose Eikhard on November 7, 1955 in Sackville, New Brunswick
Died: December 14, 2022
Daughter of legendary east coast fiddler June Eikhard, the family moved from the Maritimes to Oshawa, Ontario in 1963. At age 11 Eikhard began to play guitar and write her own songs. Her live debut came at age 12 at a fiddle contest in Cobourg, Ontario and she soon appeared at the Mariposa Folk Festival and made an appearance on the TV show ‘Singalong Jubilee’ at the ripe old age of 13. She was signed to her first record deal with Capitol at age 14 and was making appearances in such prestigious places as Las Vegas in her late teens. Almost immediately her songs were being covered by Anne Murray (whose version of “It Takes Time” put Eikhard on high profile), Chet Atkins, Donna Ramsey, and The Sanderlings. She released here first, self-titled album in 1972 featuring the single, “Smiling Wine”, which led to two consecutive Top Female Country Singer (1972 and 1973) JUNO Awards. By the mid-70’s she was scooped up by Attic Records and she had her first legitimate solo hit with “Say You Love Me” in 1976. The same year, Fleetwood Mac would also send the song to the top of the charts with their ‘Fleetwood Mac’ album. In 1977 the song “Someday Soon” appeared in the soundtrack for the Gene Hackman film ‘The Domino Principle’. In 1982 she launched her own Eika Records so she could regain control of the creative aspect of her career. After blowing out her vocal chords 8 times in 5 years Eikhard retired from the live club circuit on June 12, 1986 at the Stage Door due to her severe allergy to smoke. Instead, she concentrated on her songwriting and following journeys to Nashville exclusively to write, made a comeback album in 1987 called ‘Taking Charge’ which featured help from Steve Sexton and producer Randy Kumano. By the late 1980s she registered with ACTRA and did bit parts in television shows like E.N.G. Her songs also started appearing on contemporary radio by such artists as Kim Carnes, Emmylou Harris, Cher, Pointer Sisters, Ginette Reno Rita Coolidge, Alannah Myles (“Kick Start My Heart”) and Bonnie Raitt (“Something To Talk About”) which won Eikhard a Grammy Award. She also won a JUNO Award in 1992 as ‘Songwriter of the Year’. Through the remainder of the ’90s Eikhard managed to turn out a frequent spate of jazz albums. Her song “Tomorrow Is a Lonely Place” won first prize in the 2001 USA Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. That same year, Eikhard produced, engineered and played all the instruments on the CD ‘End of the Day’. Stay Open was released in 2003 and was another showcase for her performing and songwriting skills. During 2003 she received a SOCAN Classic Award for the song “Something to Talk About.” She has continued to re-invent herself on new CD releases every two years as a pop artist, country artist and jazz artist as it suits her; Eikhard died December 14, 2022. with discography notes from James Collins.
Singles
1972 It Takes Time/Something In Your Face (Capitol) 3197
1972 Smiling Wine/Together (Capitol) 3281
1974 Wherever You Go/Right On Believin’ (Capitol) 3578
1974 Rescue Me/You Really Got A Hold On Me (Capitol) 3798
1975 Play A Little Bit Longer/Best Friend (Attic) AT-109
1975 Sure Thing/Leave The Windows Open (Attic) AT-120
1975 I Just Wanted You To Know/Walk Away (Attic) AT-125
1975 Say You Love Me/Child Of The Present (Attic) AT-129
1976 Let Me Down Easy/Child Of The Present (Attic) AT-141
1976 Don’t Let Me Down/Strangers Now (Attic) AT-166
1977 Some Day Soon (Epic – US) 50358
1977 I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love/Nothing To Lose (Attic) AT-176
1983 Something That Lasts/Clever Girl (Eika) 45-01
1986 It’s Understood/C’est Entendu (Eika) 45-02
1986 Rumours/[same] (Eika/WEA) 45-03
1986 Always Someone Else/[same] (Eika/WEA) 45-04
1986 Nothing Like Love/[same] (Eika/WEA) 45-06
1986 Someone Else/[same] (Eika/WEA) 45-07
1987 While We’re Still Young/I Get So Jealous (Eika/WEA) 25-80727
1987 Roll That Rock/Secrets (Eika/WEA) 25-81887
1988 You’re My Weakness [7″] (Cypress) YY-0008
1988 Someone Else/You’re My Weakness/Roll That Rock [CD] (Cypress) YY-0008
1995 Take The Fall (Eika)
Albums
1972 Shirley Eikhard (Capitol) ST-6371
1975 Child of the Present (Attic) LAT-1007
1976 Let Me Down Easy (Attic) LAT-1021
1977 Horizons (Attic) LAT-1032
1987 Taking Charge (Eika/WEA) 25-48531
1995 If I Had My Way (Select) CAN-9023
1996 The Jazz Sessions ( Eika) SEM-1196
1998 Going Home (Artisan/Blue Note) 72438-57890
1999 The Last Hurrah (Eika) SEM-1199
2001 End Of The Day (Eika) SEM-2001
2003 Stay Open (Eika) SEM-2003
2005 Country (Eika) SEM-2005.1
2005 Pop (Eika) SEM-2005.2
2006 The Holidays Are Here [EP] (Eika) SEM-2006
2007 Stuck In This Groove (Eika) SEM-2007
2008 Riding On The 65 (Eika) SEM-2008
2009 Just Call Me Alice (Eika/Outside) SEM-2009
Compilation Tracks
1976 “Say You Love Me” on ‘Hit Machine’ (K-Tel) TC-234
1977 “Don’t Let Me Down” on ‘Star Power’ (K-Tel) TC-245
1993 “Say You Love Me” on ‘Caught In the Attic’ [3CDs] (Attic) ATTIC-XX
1998 “Nothin’ Like Love” on ‘Blue Note Festival ’98’ (Artisan/Blue Note)
1998 “You’re My Weakness/It’s Understood” on ‘Critics Choice II (Sanni – UK) YL-0122
EKOS, Les
G. Buggy / Claude François
From Quebéc.
Singles
1967 La terre promise/[split w/KARO] (Match) 6031
1967 Cathedrale de Winchester/[split w/KARO] (Match) 6035
1968 Pourquoi/Foulez foulez (Caravelle) CA-7205
ELECTRIC BANANAS
The Wreck [aka Eric Lowe]
A Victoria, British Columbia-based band – whose name was a euphemism for a vibrator – that rarely rehearsed and usually ended up playing cover tunes with the lone exception of a novelty song called “Mikey Is A Ladies Man” written about Lowe’s old roommate.
Compilation Tracks
1986 “Mikey Is a Ladies’ Man” on ‘It Came From Canada Vol.2’ (Og) OG-9
ELECTRIC JUG & BLUES BAND
Blair Wheaton (lead vocals, 12 string guitar) / Don “Stork’ MacGillivray (harmonica, vocals) / Grant ‘Rhaps’ Boden (drums, vocals) / Bruce Decker (rhythm guitar, vocals) / Dennis Faraci (lead guitar) / Ray Lovell (bass)
Formed in Winnipeg in 1964, The Electric Jug & Blues Band grew out of the Down-To-Earthen-Ware Jugband who many times shared the stage at The Fourth Dimension Coffee House with fellow Winnipeger Neil Young. The band opened for the Monkees on one concert bill and performed at Expo ’67 in Montreal. The band had one single in 1969 on Franklin Records called “You Don’t Love Me” b/w “The Family Breakdown” produced by Ron Paley. The band split up the same year. Bruce Decker had a short stint with The Guess Who having jumped from Winnipeg’s Deverons along with Burton Cummings. He died in a car crash at the age of 40; Dennis Faraci works at the University of Manitoba; Don MacGillivray is a freelance writer living in London, England; Wheaton is now a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Sociology Dept.; Ray Lovell lives in British Columbia; Grant Boden lives in Scotsdale, Arizona and is a landscape designer for the luxury home market. with notes from Grant Boden.
Singles
1969 You Don’t Love Me/Family Breakdown (Franklin) 629
Compilation Tracks
2008 “The Family Breakdown” on ‘The Best of Franklin Records’ (Super Oldies) SOCD-6
ELECTRIC MOCEAN
Don Gravel / Rick Gravel / Gary Murphy
From London, Ontario.
Singles
1984 Motion/Television Eyes (EM) WRC3-3463
ELECTRIC VOMIT
Rabid Roy Random (vocals) / Rick Trembles (guitar) / Guy Lapointe (drums) / Carlos Soria (bass)
Formed in 1978 by acclaimed underground cartoonist Rick Trembles as a young teen, The Electric Vomit sprang up in Montréal as part of the first wave of Canadian punk. They managed gigs with The Viletones and other first wave acts passing through Quebéc. Though they were stifled by the lack of interest in the scene from labels, they managed to record some tracks in 1979. In 2008, the three tracks were released on a 7″ single through Garbage Bag Records. Soria would go on to join The Nils; Trembles would go on to form American Devices. [also see AMERICAN DEVICES]
Singles
2008 No End [3-songs] (Garbage Bag)
ÉLÉGANTES, Les
Singles
1962 Mon Soldat/[split w/BILLY ET SES COPAINS] (Cavalier) CAF-2503
ELEVATOR TO HELL
Chris Thompson (drums) / Mark Gaudet / Rick White / Ron Bates / Tara White (bass, vocals)
as ELEVATOR THROUGH HELL
Mark Gaudet / Rick White / Tara White (bass, vocals)
as ELEVATOR
Mark Gaudet / Rick White / Tara White (bass, vocals) / Dallas Good (guitar, vocals)
Elevator To Hell began in 1994 as a solo project for Rick White (Eric’s Trip). As it evolved Eric’s Trip drummer Mark Gaudet and White’s ex-wife Tara Landry was added on bass. Ron Bates (Orange Glass) was briefly in the band as was drummer Chris Thompson. The moved from independent cassette releases to a deal with Sub Pop Records. The band then changed its name to Elevator Through Hell, and in 1999 it was shortened to simply Elevator with the addition of Dallas Good (The Sadies). [also see RICK WHITE]
Singles
as ELEVATOR TO HELL
1995 Forward To Snow [4-song 7″] (Sappy) SAP-005
1996 Backwards May [3-song 7″] (Sappy) SAP-014
1997 Onwards And Away/M [7″] (Squirtgun) SQUIRT-SI-77
Albums
as ELEVATOR TO HELL
1994 Elevator To Hell [cassette] (independent)
1995 Elevator To Hell [LP] (Sub Pop) SP-288
1996 Part Three [45RPM 12″] (Sub Pop) SP-365
1996 Parts One To Three (Sub Pop) SPCD-365
1997 Eerieconsiliation (Sub Pop) SPCD-399
1997 Parts Four And Five. (Great Beyond) GBR-008
2004 Parts Six And Seven (Great Beyond) GBR-014
2012 1996 “Eerie” Out-Takes [DigiFile] (independent)
as ELEVATOR THROUGH HELL
1997 Recorded Live In Halifax On August 2nd 1997 [cassette] (independent)
as ELEVATOR
1999 Live In Concert April 24, 99 [LP] (Great Beyond) GBR-001
2000 A Taste Of Complete Perspective [LP] (Teenage USA) teen3023-1
2001 Early Band Recordings Feb. 1995 → June 1997 (Great Beyond) GBR-005
2001 Live In Concert 2001 (Great Beyond) GBR-006
2001 Lost During Headquake (Great Beyond) GBR-007
2002 Darkness→Light (Blue Fog) VOID-001
2002 4D (Great Beyond) GBR-010
2003 The Sightseer Project. (Great Beyond) GBR-012
2003 Live In Toronto Oct 24th 2003 (Great Beyond) GBR-015
2004 August (Blue Fog) VOID-004
2012 Live Taste October 2000 [DigiFile] (independent)
2013 The Headquake Tapes [DigiFile] (independent)
2013 Hallamusic Session Feb. 2001 [DigiFile] (independent)
2018 Vague Demos 1998 [DigiFile] (independent)
2019 More Taste Of Complete Perspective [DigiFile] (independent)
2020 WNYU Radio Session, May 1999 [DigiFile] (independent)
ELEVEN PAST ONE [aka 1:11]
Daniel Richter (lead vocals) / Stephen Richter (guitar) / Kyle Bykiv (guitar) / Steve Patenaude (drums) / Dan Beattie (bass) / Justin Hartshorn (bass; replaced Beattie)
Formed in Bowmanville, Ontario in 2007. In 2009 the four-piece drove to the southern U.S. and busked for people in places like Cocoa Beach. After attracting a producer/investor, they spent 3 month recording in Los Angeles. The sessions resulted in their independent debut album ‘The Ultimate Catch’ and landed them management with Eric Clinger (Hedley). He introduced them to Simple Plan producer Brian Howe who produced the band’s new single “The World Is Ours.” The band got the song airplay on Virgin Radio in Toronto. Along their YouTube video for the track, the song rose to No.15 on the national chart. Warner Music Canada picked up the ball and it spent eleven weeks on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100 (peaking at No.32) and twenty weeks on the Canadian singles chart (peaking at No.23). The EP ‘The World Is Ours’ was released November 2014 featuring songwriting assists from Ryan Williams, Andy Stochansky, and John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls). The group toured the world through 2014 and 2015. The returned in 2017 with a new digital track called “Forever Now.” Several non-album singles followed but the band has disappeared without a trace.
Singles
2012 The World Is Ours [DigiFile] (Clinger)
2013 The World Is Ours [DigiFile] (Warner Canada)
2013 Tonight’s The Night [DigiFile] (Warner Canada)
2014 I’m Ready [DigiFile] (Warner Canada)
2015 There’s Nothing Wrong [DigiFile] (Warner Canada)
2017 Closer [DigiFile] (Reliant – US)
2017 Dynamite
2017 Closer
Albums
2010 The Ultimate Catch (Clinger)
2014 The World Is Ours [8-song EP] (Warner Canada) 2-431977
Compilation Tracks
2013 “The World Is Ours” on ‘Now! 22’ (Warner Canada) 2-423514
2015 “True” on ‘Sounds Of The 80s (Unique Covers Of Classic Hits)’ (BBC2/Warner Canada) 2-170180
ELLIE
Female folk singer from Quebéc.
Singles
1970 To the Family/Eternal Circle (Gamma) 5007 | 1971 Cercle Éternel/Dis Bonjour (Gamma) AA-1098
ELLISON
Vincent Marandola (vocals) / Christian Vaeillant [aka Tremblay] (guitars) / Richard Arcand (bass) / Robert Cager (drums)
An English speaking band from Montreal, Quebéc that started life in 1967 under the name Johnny Peace featuring Marandola and Arcand. In 1969, Cager and Tremblay joined and the name was changed to Ellison. The band recorded one self-titled album in 1971 – featuring cameos by Marie-Claire and Richard Sequin – for indie label Supreme where it received local notoriety but failed to cross over into Anglo-Canada. They disbanded in May 1973. There has been no less than two vinyl and CD re-issues of the album in recent years.
Albums
1971 Ellison (Supreme/Trans World) SR-2900
ELLISON, Carl
From Toronto
Singles
1986 Summer Nights/You Are Changing (JLRD/Headley Lennon/M.S.R.)
EM
EM was the pseudonym of Country singer-songwriter Elwyn Lehman. He was signed to Merv Buchanan’s Trend Records imprint, Prawn Records, in 1971 where he released his debut single “Get ‘Cha Back” that year. The single did well enough to lead to a follow-up on the independent Intro label with the song “Peace Of Mind,” which was produced by Merv Buchanan and Terry McManus. Lehman signed a management deal with Hoffert, Prokop & Bell management and they were able to generate enough attention to get Lehman signed to Capitol Records. He would release his debut album, ‘Time Of Man,’ in 1974 featuring music help from his brother Rob Lehman (Flying Circus), Bill King, Gene Falbo (Aaron Space), Terry Clarke (Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert), Louis Yachnin (Lighthouse), and The Good Brothers with actress/singer Bev D’Angelo on backing vocals. The single from the album was “Lay Me Down.”
Singles
1971 Get ‘Cha Back (Me Myself And I)/Saturday Morning Wake Up Blues (Prawn) P.716
1972 Peace Of Mind/Me, Myself And I (Intro) EL-1
1974 Lay Me Down/Thank You Sir (Capitol) 72725
Albums
1974 Time Of Man (Capitol) ST-6407
ÉMIGRÉ
Ian Guenther (violin) / Willi Morrison (guitar, vocals)
The brains behind the production team Three Hats Productions, Guenther and Morrison, spread their musical muscle by recording under the name Émigré. Their self-titled album was released in 1979 on Attic Records (Chrysalis in the US) and featured musical assists by Bob Bonnell and Jim “Soupy” Campbell (backing vocals), Dick Heckstall-Smith (percussion), Barry Keane (drums), John Shand and Mitchell Lewis (guitar), Bruce Ley (keyboards), Chris Vickery (bass) and was produced by George Semkiw at Phase One Studio in Scarborough, Ontario. with notes from Alyssa Jacqueline Wright.
Singles
1979 Poison/Rabbit Run (Attic) AT-217
1979 Displaced Persons/Snake Dance (Chrysalis – US) CHS-2341
Albums
1979 Émigré (Attic) LAT-1066
as GUENTHER/MORRISON RULE
1978 Displaced Persons (Guenther Morrison Rule) GMR-001
EMMERSON, Les
Born: September 17, 1944 in Ottawa, Ontario
Les Emmerson formed Ottawa’s Staccatos in 1963, featuring singer/disc jockey Dean Hagopian, and emerged in the mid-’60’s with some recordings on Allied Records. However, their first single of prominence was “Small Town Girl” which was picked up by Paul White for Capitol Records. Through the financial backing of journalist Sandy Gardiner, The Staccatos launched their next release called “Moved to California”. In 1966 “Let’s Run Away” winning Best Produced Single and Vocal Instrumental Group of the Year JUNOs. They began to receive more notice with gigs in Toronto’s Yorkville Village after the release of “Half Past Midnight” (1967) which became a national hit and won another JUNO award for ‘Best Produced Single’.Around this time they hooked up with Coca-Cola Company for some radio jingles and shared half an LP recorded at Hallmark Studios with The Guess Who called ‘A Wild Pair’ on Jack Richardson’s Nimbus Records. The album was a big seller prompting Capitol U.S. to release “Half Past Midnight” along with a commitment to record new material in L.A. Though they received a lot of hype in California from the record label, the group was seen as being ‘too Beach Boy sounding’ and The Staccatos records failed. They would soon change their name to The Five Man Electrical Band after the title of The Staccatos second album in 1969 and commuted back and forth to Los Angeles recording sides for Capitol Records. The first single from this batch was “It Never Rains On Maple Lane”. When their deal with Capitol ended they signed to MGM Records who released “Moonshine (Friend of Mine)” from the movie ‘Moonshine War’. The record did little as did its follow-up “Hello Melinda Goodbye” which featured a b-side called “Signs” which garnered some interest on LA radio. MGM flipped the record over and re-issued it but nothing happened. In 1971 Five Man Electrical band signed with a little label owned by writer Jimmy Webb and producer Dallas Smith called Lion Records. They re-issued “Signs” from the band’s first full album Goodbyes & Butterflies (shortly after changing some cover art) and the single went to No.3 in the U.S. and No.4 in Canada selling more than 2 million copies worldwide. Later in 1971 they released “Absolutely Right” which went to No.3 in Canada and Top20 in the U.S. By 1973 they were exhausted and called it quits, though Emmerson continued recording as Five Man Electrical Band until 1975. After this, he remained in California and started a record label called Perfect with engineer Mark Smith (BTO, Pure Prairie League), Buck Rhinegold and Joe Gottfried. Following this he returned to Ottawa in 1980 and was signed to Attic Records under the name Blueblood which released several underachieving singles. He also played briefly in The Cooper Brothers. He finally opened his own recording facility in the Ottawa area. In 1986, Five Man Electrical Band reformed for a one-off benefit concert which has lead into a fun Eastern Canada tour every year with no business pressures. The song “Signs” was even revived by hairspray band Tesla in 1990. Emmerson would later buy back the rights to the entire Five Man Electrical Band catalogue (having invested wisely in computer technology) and issued a ‘best of’ CD in the ’90’s. An album’s worth of previously unreleased solo material surfaced as a digital release in 2011 on the Sonic Past label called ‘The Sound City Sessions;’ Les Emmerson died at age 77 on December 10, 2021. with notes from Fred Hinnegan. [also see COOPER BROTHERS, FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND, THE STACCATOS]
Singles
1972 Control Of Me/Goin’ Through The Motions (Lion/MGM/Polydor) LN-141
1973 Cry Your Eyes Out/That’s The Way It Goes (Lion/MGM/Polydor) LN-155
1974 Cliches/[same] (Polydor) PD-14247
1975 Watching The World Go By (Polydor) PD-14269
1977 Dance, She Said/Borderline (RCA) PB-11154
with BLUEBLOOD
1980 One Way Life (U-Turn Sign)/I Just Want You (Attic) AT-219
1980 Good Morning Nobody/You’re The Only Thing (Attic) AT-226
Albums
2011 The Sound City Sessions [Digital] (Sonic Past)
Compilation Tracks
1973 “Cry Your Eyes Out” on ‘Fantastic’ (K-Tel) TC-212
EMMETT, Rik
Born: July 10, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario
Rik Emmett is a virtuoso guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, recording engineer and independent record label executive who started taking guitar lessons at age 12 and was taught right-handed grip despite being left handed. He sang in public school and church choirs and played 2nd violin in the high school orchestra for four years. Emmett dropped out of lessons in his teens and instead began teaching himself from Mickey Baker guitar theory books, Segovia study pieces, Beatles’ songs, psychedelia (Hendrix, Led Zeppelin) and the blues (Charlie Byrd, Lenny Breau). He got his first electric guitar at 13 and joined his first basement/garage band. At 14 he played in several bands in high school where they played at public and high school dances, church dances functions and private parties. He was house guitarist for school assemblies and talent nights and was also a fixture at local YMCA and coffeehouse “folk” clubs. In 1973, Emmett enrolled in Humber College’s jazz program only to drop out after one semester. Two weeks later he landed a gig with glam-rocker Justin Paige who recorded one LP for Capitol Records in 1973. He left Justin Paige in late ’74 to start Act III, a progressive rock trio (with Chris Brockway and Denton Young) that played the Ontario B-level bar circuit for 8 months after which he received an offer to join Triumph as a founding member with Gil Moore and Mike Levine in the summer of 1975. They played first gig in September 1975 and would go on to record 8 studio albums, one live double set, and a greatest hits package called ‘Classics’ which Emmett was not involved with on a creative level. The partnership with Triumph lasted until September 1988 when a dispute over future musical direction caused Emmett to quit and pursue a solo career. Emmett produced other artists before recording solo on the Duke Street label with ‘Absolutely’ (1990) and ‘Ipso Facto’ (1992). In 1993, he was inducted with members of Triumph into the Canadian Rock Hall Of Fame. Emmett didn’t attend citing irreconcilable differences (a lawsuit prevented the trio from speaking civil to each other). Emmett continued his solo work with the album ‘Spiral Notebook’ (1995). In 1997 he released the first two CDs in a three album instrumental cycle – ‘Swing Shift’ and ‘Ten Invitations From the Mistress of Mr. E’. Both CDs were released by Open House Records, an independent business venture headed by Emmett and includes a digital recording studio, web site and mail order business. Emmett has been married since 1977 and is the father of four children. He currently coaches recreational baseball and soccer and has been both a columnist and cartoonist. He was a regular contributor to Guitar Player Magazine for over 12 years and his “Rocktoons” were a popular feature in ‘Hit Parader’ Magazine from 1981 to 1983. He has also authored a four volume series of guitar instruction books called ‘For the Love of Guitar’. Emmett also owns an extensive collection of vintage guitars. He has also collaborated with Sam Reid (Glass Tiger), Mike Shotton under the name Airtime, and Dave Dunlop as The Strung-out Troubadors. In 2016 he formed another musical group called RESolution 9. with notes from Rick Wharton. [also see JUSTIN PAIGE, TRIUMPH]
Singles
1990 Big Lie (Duke Street)
1990 When A Heart Breaks/[interview] (Duke Street) DSRD-9063
1991 Saved By Love (Charisma – US) PRCD-048
1991 World of Wonder (Duke Street)
1991 The Way That You Love Me (Duke Street)
1992 Dig A Little Deeper (Duke Street)
1992 Bang On/[interview] (Duke Street) DSRDS-9242
1993 Heaven In Your Heart (Duke Street)
1993 Let Love Conquer All (Alert) DPR-229
1995 Anything You Say/Raise High/The Longing (Intercord) IRS-988.189
1995 Anything You Say/Casey’s On a Roll/Little Bitta Love (Vanguard) PRO-713
Albums
1990 Absolutely (Duke Street) DSR-31068
1992 Ipso Facto (Duke Street) DSR-31079
1995 The Spiral Notebook (Duke Street) DSR-31096
1996 Swing Shift (Artisan/EMI)
1997 Ten Invitations From The Mistress Of Mr. E (Artisan/EMI)
1999 Raw Quartet (Open House/Artisan) 93022
2000 Rik Emmett – Live At Berklee (Open House/Artisan) 526986
2002 Handiwork (Open House/EMI) 16672
2002 20th Century Masters – Millennium Collection: The Best of Rik Emmett (Universal) 14472244
2003 Good Faith (Open House/Universal) OHR-001
with RIK EMMETT & SAM REID
1999 The Spirit of Christmas (Holborne) 604322
with RIK EMMETT & DAVE DUNLOP
2007 Strung-out Troubadours: Live at Hugh’s Room
2009 Strung-out Troubadours: Push & Pull (Rocket Sounds) 00392
2012 reCOVERy Room
with RIK EMMETT & RESolution9
2016 RES9 (Provogue) PRD-7511
ENDERSBY, Stan
Born: July 17, 1947 in Lachine, Quebec.
As a guitarist for more than 40 years, Endersby has become a session player of some note worldwide. In his teens he was a member of C.J. Feeny And The Spellbinders before moving to Toronto to join The Just Us featuring Bob Ablack, Ed Roth, Neil Merryweather, Jimmy Livingston and, later, Richard Bell. After their manager allegedly stole the master tapes for their only recordings, the band changed its name to The Tripp. He later joined Livingston’s Journey before leaving Canada for England during in April 1969 to form Mapleoak with ex-Kinks member Peter Quaife (bass), Marty Fisher (keyboards), Mick Cook (drums) and, later, Gordon McBain (drums). The group released a self-titled album on Decca in 1971 and toured Europe before splitting up later that year. Endersby returned to Canada to pursue an unsuccessful solo career and turned to joining more bands as guitarist — Buckwheat Noodle, Diamondback, Village, and Heaven And Earth with funkmeister Rick James. He would then move onto Los Angeles playing in some non-spectacular acts before teaming up with fellow Canadian bass player Bruce Palmer (Buffalo Springfield) to form The Springfield Band. They folded in the late ’80’s, and Endersby returned to Canada for good. [also see HEAVEN AND EARTH, THE JUST US, MAPLE OAK]
ENEMY MIND FEEL
From Calgary, Alberta.
Singles
1989 Halflife 10,000 Years [4 song EP] (Raging) RAGE-004
ENGLISHMAN, J.
Born: Jason Daniyel Englishman on December 22, 1971 in Kingston, Ontario
Englishman was born in Kingston but his family moved around Southern Ontario with their longest stay in Walkerton, Ontario. He took piano lessons at the age of 7 but he wanted to play guitar. He got his wish at the age of 14 when his mother bought him his first guitar for his birthday. Englishman spent the next two years teaching himself how to play and debuted his first band, The Epileptic Fish, at a Grade 10 school Christmas event performing Bowie and Forgotten Rebels punk cover tunes. His next band was The Bentley Society who began making a name for themselves around the Bruce and Gray regions of Southern Ontario. At the age of 18 he left the band, packed his bags and headed for the bright lights of Toronto. In the first week of living in the big city, Englishman was arrested for busking in a TTC subway station. This inspired and fueled his next band Free And Easy. But Englishman was becoming disillusioned with the struggle to stay alive and employed and drove the anger of his next band, the nu-metal act J.F. Wylde for the next three years. It all culminated in a farewell show at Toronto’s legendary Gasworks. Englishman freed himself from the angst and began busking country songs with nothing but an acoustic guitar. He soon regained control of his future and enrolled at Ryerson Polytech to study Humanities. He resumed a personal love for theatre and got a job at a costume shop. In 1988 he even had a small part on the TV show ‘Degrassi Junior High’. By the 1990’s he’d regained interest in music again and put together a one man act under the pseudonym Tomorrow The World in 1996. After scraping money together and writing a fistful of new songs, he released the limited edition EP ‘Manic Obsessive’. The record came to the attention of Bob Luhtala Management (Frozen Ghost, Our Lady Peace), who worked with Englishman in assembling a live act and perfecting his frontman swagger. In March 1999 he was signed to a solo recording deal with Warner Music Canada. Released in March 2000 J. Englishman’s major label debut ‘poor li’l rockstar’ was co-produced by Englishman and Dave Hodge. The album would yield four singles and three videos including the Top10 hit “More”. The video for the song “Abused”, with its scenes of Englishman tied to a bed and being used by women was initially banned by MuchMusic in Toronto. He received a 2001 JUNO Award nomination for ‘Best New Solo Artist’, and in March of 2002 the Canadian Association of Broadcasters presented him with the Canadian Radio Music Award for ‘Best New Solo Artist Rock/Alternative’. Despite his initial success, his relationship with Warner was such that a sophomore album never materialized. In recent years he has toured as the lead guitarist for Sony Canada recording artist Barlow. He produced two albums for Toronto independent band G-13 and has appeared on releases and recorded with numerous artists from around Ontario. He has worked for the North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival, served as Production Manager for John Legend’s ‘Once Again’ tour in 2006 and was Festival Programmer and Production Manager for the ‘Rock The Wake Festival’ in 2006 and 2007. He freelances as a writer for ‘Chart’ magazine and currently works as an audio engineer at various live venues around Toronto. Englishman is the son of singer John Englishman (formerly Teak Wood), and brother of singer Esthero who also appeared on ‘poor li’l rockster’. He has also toured with Esthero as her guitarist. With notes from J. Englishman.
Singles
2000 More (Warner)
2000 Abused (Warner)
2000 Staring at the Sun (Warner)
2000 The One Thing (Warner)
Albums
2000 poor li’l rockstar (Warner) 81650
Compilation Tracks
2000 “More” on ‘Big Shiny Tunes 5’ (Warner) WTVD-39170
ENIGMAS
Paul McKenzie (vox/sax) / Mike Davies (guitar) / Randy Bowman (drums) / Brian Olinek (bass)
This Vancouver, British Columbia outfit formed in the spring of 1982 out of a mutual love for 1960’s psychedelia. Band split-up in mid-1986.
Albums
1983 Enigmas? [5 song EP] (Mistery) MR-83001
1985 Strangely Wild [6 song EP] (Zulu) ZULUEP-1
Compilation Tracks
1984 “Roadblocks Are All Over This Town” on ‘Ukhisimuzi’ [7″] (Zulu) FREE-1
1985 “Bad Meat” on ‘It Came From Canada Vol. 1’ (Og) OG-8
1985 “Teenage Barnacle” on ‘It Came From The Pit’ (Psyche Industry)
PIR-05
1986 “Flying Dutchman” & “Windshield Wiper” on ‘Manic Depression’ [cassette] (Zulu)
1991 “Teenage Barnacle on ‘Last Call: Vancouver Independent Music 1977-1985’ [2CD] (Zulu) ZULU-5-2
ENNIS, Barry Allen
Born: March 1, 1942 in Eston, Saskatchewan; Died: October 7, 2018
Barry Ennis was the leader singer for Saskatoon dance band Barry Ennis & The Keymen in the 1960s. They were signed to Barry Records and released a remake of Al Martino’s “Mountain of Ice” b/w Chuck Berry’s “School Days” under Barry Ennis’ name. The group played the teen dance circuit in their early days and would eventually back singer and Arc Records solo artist Dianne James on a national tour by bus in 1965. That tour led the band’s manager Don Eckess to try and get the group a deal with Arc as well. They were enlisted to record one single – “My Situation” – as Arc owned the song but had no one to record it. They were unable to promote the release because of their commitment with James so Arc tapped another band called The Untouchables to promote the single as The Golden Earrings. A second opportunity was presented to Ennis and the Keymen when they headed to the USA to record at famed record producer Norman Perry’s Texas recording studio to cut four songs on August 8, 1966 – “It’s Easy Child,” “Spring Has Sprung,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Now Hear This.” No label was interested and the songs remain unreleased. Ennis died October 7, 2018 after a short battle with cancer.
Singles
1964 Mountain of Ice/School Days (Barry/Quality) B-3228X
ENNIS SISTER, The
Karen Ennis (vocals) / Maureen Ennis (acoustic guitar, vocals / Teresa Ennis (vocals)
From St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Albums
1997 Red Is The Rose (Cabot) 02-50723
1998 Christmas On Ennis Road (Cabot) 02-50775
2000 3 (Cabot) 02-50822
2001 Ennis Sisters (WEA) 2-40057
2003 Can’t Be The Same (Warner) 2-51008
2012 It’s Christmas (Ennis) TSR-212
Compilation Tracks
1998 “You’ll Live Forever” on ‘Newfoundland – A Musical Experience’ (Avalon) AVA-041698-02
1999 “Red Is The Rose” on ‘Música Celta – Volumen 3’ (BMG España) 74321-68632-2
1999 “Out From St. Leonard’s” on ‘The Needfire A Celtic Celebration (EMI) 7-2434-96982-2-2
2000 “Lord Of The Dance” on ‘Homebrew’ (KIXX/Avalon) 02-50852
2000 “If I Should Leave You” on ‘Canadian Roots 2000’ (Vogue) VRI-002
2000 “Rainy Days” on ‘On The Beat’ (Cops For Cancer) 02-50844
2003 “I’ll Be There Christmas Eve” on ‘Women & Songs Christmas’ (WEA) WTVD-61048
2007 “Mary’s Lullaby” on ‘Atlantic Standards – Christmas’ (Rhino/Warner) R2-972173
2008 “Paddy McGinty’s Boat” on ‘Homebrew 9’ (Avondale) 02-08650
ENTIRELY DISTORTED
Brian Kassian (guitar)
Edmonton’s Entirely Distorted changed its name to Broken Smile in 1987 as a hardcore/metal act. Kassian then formed My Dog Popper.
Albums
1984 What Gives? [cassette]
Compilation Tracks
1985 “Abstinence” on ‘It Came From the Pit’ (Psyche Industry) PIR-05
1986 “I Could See Myself” on ‘Another Shot For Bracken’ (Positive Force) No.9
EQUIPE ‘79
Robert Morissette (vocals) / Claude Sirois (guitar) / Paul Lanciaux (guitar) / Gaétan Chartrand (bass) / Real Desrosier (drums)This Quebéc group formed in 1966 from high school friends whose collective ages equaled 79. The band’s manager was Gaétan Chartrand’s father Fernand Chartrand who secured television and radio time for them as well as their record deal with Trans-Canada. They released their first single in September 1967. They would become popular enough to be noticed by RCA Records later that year and released three singles with the label in 1967 and 1968. One of the highlights of their short career was opening a show for Tommy James & The Shondells at the Charlottetown Confederation Centre on Prince Edward Island. Sirois would go on to be an award winning Quebéc classical guitar player and recording artist. with notes from Claude Sirois.
Singles
1967 À qui?/J’aime ta voix (Trans-Canada) TV-3221
1967 Confessin’/Girl From P.E.I. (RCA/Victor) 57-3458
1968 Confession/Hantise (RCA/Victor) 57-5824
1969 Bang Shang-A-Lang/Une voix (RCA/Victor) 57- 5845
EQUUS
Danny Allen (vocals, drums) / Cameron Grant (vocals, guitars) / Ken Lucier (bass) / Peter Schaefer (guitars) / Duncan Grant (keyboards)
London, Ontario’s Equus formed in 1981. Their 1985 5-song was produced by Auto Records president Peter Brennan. The band reunited and played Fanshawe College in London, Ontario with fellow reunion band NFG in August 2011. with notes from Joel J. Joyal.
Singles
1986 You Decide/She’s Gone (Auto) AUTO-002
Albums
1985 Equus [5-song EP] (Auto) AUTO-001
ÉRIC
Born: Bernard Dominique Saint-Pierre on August 2, 1946 in Saint-Hilaire, Québec
Québec singer who fronted the band Les Gamins and has had a fruitful solo career.
Singles
1966 Nathalie/Je Veux (Télédisc) TD-36
1967 12,000 Etoiles/Mon Oncle Leo (DSP) DSP-8601
1967 On N’a Pas Le Droit/C’est Toi Que J’aime (DSP) DSP-8612
1967 Je Dis Adieu/Jean Nichol (DSP) DSP-8623
1967 Nathalie/Mon Oncle Leo (Les Disques Millionnaires) MH-100520
1967 Nadine/Un Nuage Lourd (Télédisc) TD-45
1967 Nathalie/Amour, Fous Le Camp (Télédisc) OR-804
1968 L’ete Dernier/Pauve Pierrot (DSP) DSP-8637
1968 Mon Oncle Leo/12,000 Etoiles/Nathalie/On N’a Pas Le Droit (Super 4) S4-139-01
1969 Le Soleil/Je N’ai Pas De Veine (DSP) DSP-8648
1969 L’oiseau Blanc/Le Roi Des Reveurs (DSP) DSP-8661
1969 Jean Nichol/Je Dis Adieu//Nadine/Amour Fous Le Camp (Super 4) S4-139-18
1969 Marie Boucane/Cecile (Pax) PAX-3801
1971 Les P’tits Imbault/Eh! Charlie (Pax) PAX-3810
1971 Les Femmes En Tetons/[same] (Pax) PAX-3810
1972 Ma Femme/ Les Doigts En V (Citation) CN-10004
1979 Marie-Jose/Dans Mon Pays (DSP International) DSP-77092
with ERIC ET LES GAMINS
1966 Amour, Fous Le Camp/Les Maraudeurs (Télédisc) TD-18
Albums
1967 Eric (DSP) DSP-16004
1971 Un Poète (Pax) PAX-6602
2000 Les Titres D’Or (Disques Mérite) 44-15050
2000 Nathalie (Disques Mérite) 22-1120
ERIC’S TRIP
Julie Doiron Claytor (bass, vocals) / Chris Thompson (guitar, vocals) / Rick White (vocals, guitar) / Ed Vaughan (drums) / Mark Gaudet (drums, vocals)
Eric’s Trip originally hail from Moncton, New Brunswick, and started in June 1990 when Claytor, White, Thompson and Ed Vaughan began jamming in the basement. They managed to land some area shows, but Vaughan dropped out in November 1991. Gaudet was borrowed from a band called The Purple Knights to fill in and never left. Eric’s Trip were the first Canadian act to sign with Sub Pop Records following the post-Nirvana grunge explosion even though their style was nothing like the Seattle scene it was now being affiliated with. Over the years members of Eric’s Trip have released material in various other incarnations: Elevator To Hell (Rick White and friends), Broken Girl (Julie Doiron Claytor and family), Moon Socket (Chris Thompson) and Purple Knights (Mark Gaudet). Doiron has gone on to a successful solo career and makes time for occasional Eric’s Trip reunions. [also see JULIE DOIRON, RICK WHITE]
Singles
1992 Belong EP [4-song 7″] (NIM)
1993 Songs About Chris [4-song 7″] (Sub Pop)
1993 Float/Trapped In New York [3-song 7″] (Summershine)
1993 Warm Girl [5-song 7″] (Derivative)
1993 The Gordon Street Haunting [5-song 7″] (Sub Pop)
1995 On The Road South [3-song 7″] (Sonic Unyon)
as STEREO MOUNTAIN
1993 Julie And The Porthole To Dimentia [4-song 7″] (Sappy) SAP-001
Albums
1990 Eric’s Trip [cassette] (independent)
1991 Catapillars EP [cassette] (independent)
1991 Drowning EP [cassette] (independent)
1992 Warm Girl [cassette] (independent)
1993 Peter EP (Murder)
1993 Songs About Chris [6-song CD] (Sub Pop)
1993 Love Tara (Sub Pop)
1993 The Gordon Street Haunting [5-song CD] (Sub Pop)
1995 Though Forever Again (Sub Pop)
1996 Purple Blue (Sub Pop)
Compilation Tracks
1991 cuts on ‘Naked In The Marsh’ [cassette] (NIM)
1992 cuts on ‘Naked In The Marsh’ [10″ vinyl} (NIM)
1993 cut on ‘On The Road’ (Raw Energy)
1993 cut on ‘Never Mind The Molluscs’ [7″] (Sub Pop)
1995 cut on ‘Not If I Smell You First’ (Sonic Unyon)
ERIKSON, Karl
Born: Karl Neuenfeldt in Port Washington, Wisconsin
Karl Erikson was born in Wisconsin where he grew up to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in History at Wisconsin State University (Oshkosh) in 1969. For political reasons, he moved to Whistler Mountain, British Columbia that year and began working as a solo singer. He then moved to Australia and recorded an eponymous album, ‘Karl Erikson’, for EMI Australia that was released in the summer of 1972. He then returned to Canada in 1973 where he recorded his second album ‘Aerogramme’ for United Artists in Toronto. It features several original tunes by Erikson plus songs written by Gene MacLellan, Shirley Eikhard and Joan Guenther. He released several singles in 1973 and 1974 which were part of his third solo album ‘I Am Next’ recorded for United Artists in Los Angeles. Whilst working as a solo performer in western Canada, he completed a Masters Degree in Anthropology at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver in 1989 and later moved to Australia to complete a PhD in Cultural Studies at Curtin University of Technology in Perth which he completed in 1995. Since 1992 he has been Associate Professor of Contemporary Communication at Central Queensland University in Australia, researching mostly with Indigenous peoples on the Aboriginal instrument the didjeridu and the music of Torres Strait Islanders in Australia and Fiji. He has written numerous academic articles on music related topics as well as producing many CDs with communities in Queensland. He produced a multi-award winning singer-songwriter Seaman Dan’s 2004 CD ‘The Perfect Pearl’ which won an Australasian Performing Rights Association Award [ARIA Award]. He has collaborated on many projects with ex-Steeleye Span drummer Nigel Pegrum who is also a resident in Australia. with notes from Karl Neuenfeldt.
Singles
1970 Old Fashioned Fool/Rodeo (Quality) 2228X
1972 Friday (HMV/EMI – Australia) 9975
1973 Midnight Road/Enough of God (United Artists) UAXW-190
1973 Ain’t No Telling/Carnival Town (United Artists) UAXW-252
1973 Aerogramme (United Artists) UAXW-306
1974 It’s Gonna Be Alright/Kersbrook Cottage (United Artists) UAXW-388
1974 It Could Have Been Beautiful/Waiting for the Rain (United Artists) UAXW-444
1975 My Oh My/You Can Fly (Boot) BT-139
Albums
1972 Karl Erikson I (HMV/EMI – Australia) OCSD-7686
1973 Aerogramme (United Artists) UAS-5665
1974 I Am Next (United Artists) UAS-29630
ERITAGE
Jean-Pierre Joyal (violin) / Benoit Bourque (percussion) / Yvan Brault (piano) / Marc Benoit (double-bass, guitar) / Raynald Ouelet (accordion) / Raymond Philippe (percussion, flute) / Vincent Ouelett (fiddle; replaced Joyal 1982)
Bilingual folk act Eritage formed in Quebéc in 1977. They were originally part of the Tele-Capitale television network in Quebéc City where they worked on the shows ‘Gentil’ Alouette’ and ‘Folklore en Tete’. They soon moved to the concert stage where the combined various traditional dance and Celtic/Acadian music. They then expanded to folk festivals all across North America and throughout Scandinavia and the Mediterannean. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1979 which was followed by three albums recorded for the Catholic School of Quebéc. Vincent Ouelett replaced Joyal in 1982 and Phillipe added percussion for their last LP, ‘La Ronde des Voyageurs’, which was produced by Stan Rogers. The group disbanded in 1985. with notes from Jean-Pierre Joyal.
Albums
1979 Eritage (Son-D’or) SD-2000
1980 La poulette grise (Riobert) ST-7005
1981 L’alouette chante encore (Catholic School of Quebéc) CCL33-163
1981 Chansons de toutes couleurs (Catholic School of Quebéc)
1983 La Ronde des Voyageurs (Fogerty’s Cove) FCM-00
EROTIC DRUM BAND
Musician/producer Peter DiMilo moved from Italy to Canada when he was 9 years old. During the advent of disco in the late ‘70s, DiMilo fronted and produced Montreal’s Erotic Drum Band with George Cucuzzella who had a several dance floor hits including “Action 78”, “Love Disco Style”, “Plug Me To Death” and “Pop Pop Shoo Wah”. In the ‘80s he would produce Nightlife Unlimited, Pussycat, Extensive Care Group, Ann Joy, and Plastic Surprise. He now runs his own studio, Champagne Productions, and has revived Erotic Dance Band as E.D.B. with notes from Glenn Rivera and Sarah El Fangary.
Singles
1978 Plug Me To Death/Jerky Rhythm (Champagne/Downstairs) CH-10001
1978 Action 78/[same] (Champagne/Downstairs) CH-10006
1978 Love Disco Style/[same] (Unidisc) UN-106
1979 Pop Pop Shoo Wah/[same] (Prism – US) PFF-310
1979 Dance In Your Pants/Touch Me Where Its Hot (Prism -US) PFF-314
1984 Horn-y/Sweet Seduction [12”] (Matra) 12MA-043
1985 Cream D ream (Special Remix Version)/Cream Dream (Instrumental) [12”] (Streetlevel – UK) STR-1208
Albums
1978 Action 78 (Unidisc) ULP-01
2006 The Collection (Unidisc) AGEK2-2526
ESQUIRES, The (1)
Bob Harrington (lead vocals; 1962-1963) / Don Norman (lead vocals; replaced Harrington 1963-1965) / Gary Comeau (lead guitar; 1961-1965) / Paul Huot (rhythm guitar, vocals; 1962-1965) / Clint Hierlihy (bass; 1961-1965) / Richard Patterson (drums; 1963-1967) / Gayle Thomson (vocals; 1962) / Bert Hurd (drums; 1962-1963) / Brian “Lewis” Lewicki (vocals, guitar, bass; replaced Norman 1965-1967) / Ted Gerow (keyboards; 1966) / John Cassidy (guitar: 1966) / Douglas Orr (bass; 1967) / Bruce Cockburn (guitar, vocals; 1967) / Robert Coulthart (drums; replaced Patterson 1967)
The Esquires were co-founded in the Ottawa Valley region in 1962 by Clint Hierlihy and Gary Comeau having become neighbours again following years together in an Ottawa high school band called The Fairmonts (1959-1961). They played their first show at the Rockcliffe Air Base Teen Club. After several personnel changes through 1962, they joined the Musicians’ Union in 1963, and were contracted weekend regulars at the Pineland Dance Pavilion in Ottawa. It was here that they backed up Montréal singer Marty Hill. They also landed a performance backing up Andy Kim on ‘Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars’ at Faucher Stadium in Montréal also featuring Gene Pitney, The Dovells, Paul And Paula, and The Tymes. Several months later, they were introduced to ‘Ottawa Journal’ columnist Sandy Gardiner who contacted Paul White, A & R man for Capitol Records Canada, and recommended he listen to a demo tape of the band. White was anxious to have a Shadows-styled act on the label and The Esquires were the first rock act signed by Capitol Records Canada (or any major label for that matter) in 1963.Their first single was “Atlantis” in 1963, followed by “The Man From Adamo”, and their biggest hit “So Many Other Boys” in late 1964 which won them The RPM Award – predecessor of the JUNO – for Best Vocal And Instrumental Group in 1964. Over a two year period the band released five singles and an album for Capitol called “Introducing The Esquires” in August 1964 before moving to Columbia Records in 1965. Sandy Gardiner had kept them busy during this time and landed them prestigious dates with some of the 1960’s biggest rock and roll stars such as The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Dave Clark Five and Roy Orbison. In 1965 Clint Hierlihy left the band to focus on producing The Esquires and other Ottawa-area bands and to complete his education. Richard Patterson brought in old pal Brian Lewicki (the two were in a band originally called the Vibra Tones) to replace Hierlihy on bass. Upon leaving Hierlihy signed the band’s name over to vocalist Don Norman. An internal dispute caused Norman to quit and take the name with him. Soon, Lewicki switched to guitar and took Norman’s place as vocalist. Eventually, the band took Norman to court and won the rights back to the name. Don Norman was left calling his new act Don Norman & The Other Four. Gary Comeau and Paul Huot left The Esquires shortly after to join other bands, leaving Richard Patterson to carry on with Ted Gerow, and John Cassidy. By 1967 even Patterson had left the fold leaving Lewicki, Robert Coulthart (drums), Doug Orr (bass) and Bruce Cockburn (guitar) to carry on to its ultimate demise that year. A 25th Anniversary reunion occurred in 1987 with Norman, Huot, Hierlihy, Comeau, Patterson, and Lewicki performing at a fund raising event in Ottawa. In 1993 two music clips featuring the band were uncovered – “The Man From Adano” and “Gee Whiz It’s You” (featuring original vocalist Bob Harrington). The former is considered the first Canadian music video ever made. The clips were aired on television for the first time on CBC-TV and frequently pop up on MuchMusic. The original footage was donated to the National Archives in Ottawa. Patterson went on to join Three’s A Crowd with Bruce Cockburn, David Wiffen and Colleen Peterson following the Esquires; Coulthart and Orr were stolen away by Peter Jermyn of Luke & The Apostles to form The Modern Rock Quartet; Gerow went on to join The Staccatos/Five Man Electrical Band; Only Comeau and Patterson are still active in the music industry. EMI released The Esquires’ only LP on CD in 2000. On August 25, 2005 Norman, Comeau, Huot, Patterson and Hierlihy reunited to celebrate Hierlihy’s 60th birthday. Harrington died in 2005; Patterson died April 3, 2011 after a long illness. with notes from Cliff Hierlihy, Don Norman, Gary Comeau, Richard Patterson. [also see DON NORMAN AND THE OTHER FOUR]
Singles
1964 So Many Other Boys/The Oldest Story (Capitol) 72193
1965 Cry Is All I Do/We’ve Got A Future (Capitol) 72219
1965 Love’s Made a Fool Of You/Summertime (Capitol) 72277
1966 It’s a Dirty Shame/The Sea Rushes to the Shore (Columbia) 4-43815
1966 Love Hides a Multitude of Sins/Why Should I Care? (Columbia) C4-2705
as BOB HARRINGTON & THE ESQUIRES
1963 Atlantis/I’ve Lost My Girl (Capitol) 72126
1964 The Man From Adano/Gee Whiz It’s You (Capitol) 72137
Albums
1964 Introducing The Esquires (Capitol) T-6075
2000 Introducing The Esquires [CD re-issue] (EMI Canada)
ESQUIRES, The (2)
Mark Hornby (guitar) / Greg Thomas (drums) / Alfred “Al” Cook / Nes Davison / Roy Wilcox
Formed in Calgary, Alberta in 1959, the band was signed to Barry Records in the early 1960s, releasing the Mark Hornby penned single “Melody Of The Woods”. After a court challenge by Capitol Records over copyright infringement of the Ottawa band with the same name, Calgary’s Esquires became, simply, The S’quires. They released two more singles on Barry under this name. In 1966, Calgary’s Johnny Harlow became the new lead vocalist while still recording solo for Sparton Records; Hornby became a school teacher. Thomas became a booking agent and promoter. with notes from Michael Gothreau and Del Halterman. [also see JOHNNY HARLOW]
Singles
1962 Melody of the Woods/Electrocution (Barry/Quality) B-3125X
as THE S’QUIRES
1965 Day Dreams/Green Surf (Barry/Quality) B-3312X
1965 Remember/Reach For A Star (Barry/Quality) B-3398X
ESSIG, David
Born: David Robsertshaw Essig in Frederick, Maryland, USA on December 2, 1945
David Essig began playing Blues and Bluegrass style guitar styles at the age of 16. He studied public policy and graduate work at George Washington University and continued his graduate work in economics at the University of Wisconsin. Essig came to Canada in 1971 for the Mariposa Folk Festival and decided to stay. He moved to Emsdale, Ontario near Huntsville and has become a fixture on the Canadian folk and roots scene for 40 years. He established his own Woodshed Records early on to release his own material – ‘Redbird Country (1974), ‘High Ground’ (1975) and ‘Stewart Crossing’ (1976) – as well as acts he was producing like The Dixie Flyers and side-member Willie P. Bennett. In 1977 he moved to Hamilton, Ontario and became a naturalized citizen in 1978. Essig toured Europe in 1980 starting with Mahogany Hall in Berne, Swtizerland and was especially well received in Italy where he played annually from 1980 through 1991. In 1981 he recorded the Jungian improvisational two album set ‘In the Tradition’ which led to him studying the techniques further while touring Asia in 1982. In 1987 he studied how to use the kayagum – a 12-string Korean zither – in Seoul. The combining of Eastern techniques and Western musical style was used on his albums next three albums ‘Two Kayagum Solos’ (1987), ‘Running Light’ (1987), and ‘Morning Calm’ (1988). Essig became the first Canadian to perform at the National Folk Festival of Australia where he was invited back in 1990 and 1991. Over the years he continued producing albums for musicians like Fred J. Eaglesmith, Allison Browne, Tim Harrison and Jackie Washington among many others. By 2006 Essig was living on Protection Island off Nanaimo, British Columbia and was elected warden (alderperson) of the Gulf Islands Government. In 2007, a collective of Alt-Country Winnipeg musicians, led by Romi Mayes, Jaxon Haldane, and the D-Rangers, recorded the CD ‘Beverly Street’ featuring a mix of their original songs many David Essig tunes including the title track. Essig also made a cameo on the disc. In 2008, Essig teamed up with Rick Scott for the album ‘Double Vision’ and the duo toured it along with bassist Shelley Brown as Essig, Scott, and Brown. Over the last two years Essig has returned to writing, recording and touring as a solo performer. notes from Greg Simpson.
Albums
1974 Redbird Country (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-001
1975 High Ground (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-002
1976 Stewart Crossing (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-006
1978 Sequence (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-012
1981 In the Tradition (Phonodisc) PHE-6014
1984 While Living in the Good Years (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-016
1986 Whose Muddy Shoes (Appaloosa) AAP-51
1987 Two Kayagum Solos [cassette] (New Woodshed)
1987 Running Light [cassette] (New Woodshed)
1988 Morning Calm (New Woodshed) NWS-CD1
1990 Rebel Flag (Appaloosa) AP-072
1996 State of Origin (Appaloosa) AP-093
1996 Tremble and Weep (Appaloosa) AP-126
1999 Into the Lowering Sky (Appaloosa) AP-141
2002 Declaration Day (Appaloosa) AP-154
2004 A Stone In My Pocket [2CD] (Pacific/WEA) PM-12032
2007 Presbyterian Guitar
with DAVID ESSIG AND RICK SCOTT
2008 Double Vision
ESTHERO
Esthero (vocals) / Martin “Doc” McKinney (multi-instrumentation, samples)
This Toronto-based trip hop duo, is comprised of two expatriate Americans. Esthero [aka Jenny-Bea Englishman], whom the act is named after, moved to Toronto at the age of 17 from Walkerton, Ontario; McKinney came way of St. Paul, Minnesota around the same time – 1996. Esthero was aware she had a powerful voice from an early age but knew immediately she would need a collaborator on her original material. While singing at the Free Times Café in Toronto Beau Ovcaric saw her and set up a meeting and performance for management partner Zack Werner. The team signed her and began shopping a publishing deal to get her a collaborator. When she heard some interesting songs by Doc McKinney while visiting EMI Publishing executive Mike McCarty, the two were introduced. While recording the album in Doc’s home studio, their management and publishing team began shopping the demos to Canadian and U.S. labels. During the final stages of completion of the album, Esthero signed with LA-based The Work Group (distributed through Sony in Canada). 1998’s resulting album, ‘Breath From Another’ is essentially the original demo tapes remixed featuring the singles “Short of Breath”, “Heaven Sent”, and “That Girl”. After upheavals in management and her label deal, Esthero (the singer) worked with the Black Eyed Peas – previous to Fergie joining. Esthero, the duo, returned in 2004 with the EP ‘O.G. Bitch’ on Reprise before returning in 2005 with their full-length sophomore release ‘Wikked Lil’ Grrrls’. Esthero, the singer, has appeared on collaborations with DJ Krush, Danny Saber, Goodie Mob, The Black Eyed Peas, Michie Mee, The Rascalz, Ian Pooley, Saul Williams, Nelly Furtado, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Jarvis Church, Jon Forté, Blue Man Group, Sean Lennon, Sugar Ray, Carmen Rizzo, Timbaland, Kanye West, and Mos Def. Esthero is the daughter of singer John Englishman (known as Teak Wood), and sister of singer/songwriter J. Englishman, and appeared on his album ‘poor li’l rockstar’ in 2000.
Singles
1998 Short of Breath (Work/Sony)
1998 Heaven Sent (Work/Sony)
1999 That Girl (Work/Sony)
2012 Never Gonna Let You Go [DigiFile] (Universal)
Albums
1998 Breath From Another (Work/Sony)
2004 O.G. Bitch [EP] (Reprise/Warner)
2004 We R In Need of a Musical Revolution [EP] (Reprise/Warner)
2005 Wikked Lil’ Grrrls (Reprise/Warner)
2005 Fastlane Remixes (Reprise/Warner)
2012 Everything Is Expensive (Universal)
Compilation Tracks
2000 “That Girl” on ‘Face the Music’ (Sony) TVK-24068
ET CETERA
Alain-Yves Pigeon (bass, cello, vocals) / Denis Chartrand (keys, flute, saxophone, vibraphone, vocals)/ Marie Bernard Pagé (keyboards, ondes martenot, vocals/ Pierre Dragon (drums, percussion) / Robert Marchand (guitar, vocals
Album
1976 Et Cetera (Apostrophe) AP-8000
ETERNAL TRIANGLE
Howie Vickers (guitar; vocals) / Tom Northcott (guitar; vocals) / Susan Pesklevits (vocals)
Following the implosion of the Tom Northcott Trio, Northcott and ex-Classics member Vickers auditioned female vocalists for a new acoustic trio and eventually picked Pesklevits. Their new act, The Eternal Triangle, was a short-lived Vancouver folk trio who released one single in 1966 on Northcott’s New Syndrome label and did several TV shows and Vancouver area gigs before calling it a day. Pesklevits would soon meet and marry Terry Jacks. The duo was the backbone of hit recording act The Poppy Family. She would then go on to a lengthy and prolific solo career; Vickers became a member of the Collectors and Chilliwack and later released solo material; Northcott continued running New Syndrome and releasing record as Tom Northcott And The Vancouver Playboys, The Tom Northcott Trio and, eventually, as a solo artist; Susan Jacks died April 25, 2022 from kidney disease. [also see SUSAN JACKS, TOM NORTHCOTT, COLLECTORS, CHILLIWACK]
Singles
1965 It’s True/Watch Me Go (New Syndrome) NS-10 1967 My New Love/It’s True (New Syndrome) NS-101
Compilation Tracks
1994 “My New Love” on ‘The History of Vancouver Rock and Roll Volume 4’ (Neptoon) VRCA-004
ETERNALS, The
John Hildebrand (guitar) / Harry Hildebrand (bass) / Ron Paley (keyboards) / Ted Paley (drums) / Rick Pearson
The Eternals made a name for themselves in their native Winnipeg by recording covers of old and established hits, such as the Del Vikings’ “Come Go With Me” and Buddy Holly’s “Raining In My Heart”. Group members Ron Paley and Harry Hildebrand wrote some of the band’s original material, including “Girl in the Window”, which the group released on Quality Records. Their 1968 hit, “Falling Tears”, was a hit for Ottawa’s Dave Britten in 1965. The Eternals’ version featured string and horn arrangements by CBC musical director Bob McMullin. Randy Bachman wrote their next hit “The Real World of Marianne”; all the band members would eventually work together in the 1970s as part of a Winnipeg music collective called House of Random. Pearson would join the band Savanna.
Singles
1967 Girl In The Window/Born Of Hate (Quality) 1856X
1967 Come Go With Me/Love Me With All Your Heart (Quality) 1884X
1967 Raining In My Heart/Summer Blue (Quality) 1889X
1967 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town/Christmas (Quality) 1896X
1968 Falling Tears/Sticks And Stones (Quality) 1902X
1968 Real World of Mary Ann/Window Pane (Quality) 1915X
1969 My Woman/Hideaway (Quality) 1922X
Compilation Tracks
2009 “Girl In The Window,” “Born Of Hate,” and “Raining In My Heart” on ‘Buried Treasures (Winnipeg Rock Gems 1958-1974)’ (Super Oldies) SOCD-9
ETHNIC DRIVERS
Pia Cseri (vocals) / Anand Sahai (drums, percussion) / Vince Duanne (guitar, vocals) / Ken Vandermark (tenor sax) / Emer Brizzolara (keyboards) / Ian Burney (bass; replaced Steiner) / Bruno Steiner (bass)
A Montréal ska-pop group. Steiner left Ethnic Drivers and co-founded Weather Permitting in 1985.
Albums
1985 The Ethnic Drivers [6 song EP] (VOT) UR-1211
ETRANGER, L’
Original line-up: Andrew Cash (lead vocals, guitar) / Peter Duffin (drums, vocals) / Chuck Angus (bass, piano, vocals) ; 1986 line-up: Andrew Cash (guitar, lead vocals) / Peter Duffin (drums) / Bruce PM (keyboards) / Tim Vesely (bass)
Toronto political punks L’etranger were a stable fixture on Toronto’s Queen Street circuit. The ‘Innocent Hands’ EP was recorded over three nightly sessions in Markham, Ontario. Over six years they released three records and garnered media praise and respect before grinding to a halt as the music industry itself all but ignored them. They did achieve long-standing notoriety for the independent video “One People” which managed favourable airplay on MuchMusic during the station’s infancy. It was one of the earliest indie videos to do so. With the demise of the L’etranger in June 1986, Cash formed The Andrew Cash Band featuring Andy Maize on vocals (Direktive 17, Skydiggers), Peter Duffin on drums (L’etranger), Chris Stanford on bass (Ministry Of Love), and Graydon Nichols on guitar (High Noon, Willie English). The band set up a steady house band gig at the late-lamented Spadina Hotel. Cash was signed to Island Records as a solo artist shortly thereafter where the final L’etranger album ‘Sticks & Stones’ was re-issued under the name Andrew Cash; Bruce PM released a solo cassette in 1987 on Nervous Records; Tim Vesely joined The Rheostatics; Both Andrew Cash and Chuck Angus re-invented themselves as Member of Parliament for the NDP in the 2011 Canadian Federal Election. [also see ANDREW CASH]
Albums
1982 Innocent Hands (Sensible/Ground Zero) LET-001
1984 Running Out of Funtown (Ground Zero) LET-002
1986 Sticks And Stones (L’etranger) LET-003
EUDOXIS
Sotiri Papafylis (vocals) / Rick “Raz” Raczko (bass) / J.P. Perrault (drums) / Mars B. Alexander (guitar) / Mario Gilles (guitar) / Mark Hill-Anderson (guitar, 1985)
4-piece Montréal speed metal act formed in 1984.
Singles
1985 Metal Fix
Albums
1986 Attack From Above [EP] (Fringe)
1991 Open Fire (Eudoxis) EUD-001
EUPHORIA
Ken Ramm (guitar) / Gerry Mosby (bass, keyboards) / Steve Sidelnyk (drums) / Richard Robson (keyboards) / Sean Spuehler (keyboards)
Studio project spearheaded by Ken Ramm.
Singles
1997 Delirium (Remixes) [6-song 12″ remixes] (Six Degrees – US) 657036-5015-1
2000 Sweet Rain (Remixes) [4-song 12″ remixes] (Six Degrees – US) 657036-5045-1
2006 Back Against The Wall (Zoë) 01143-1056-2-PSI01
with EUPHORIA w/TINA DICO
2006 Blue (Zoë)
2007 The Blue Remixes [5 remixes] (EMI Music Publishing Film Soundtrack Division)
Albums
1999 Euphoria (Six Degrees – US) 657036-1015-2
2001 Beautiful My Child (Six Degrees) PRCD-1045-2
2006 Precious Time (Zoë) 01143-1056-2
2007 Sinners And Saints [2CD] (EMI Music Publishing Film Soundtrack Division)
EUTHANASIA
Cameron Boddy (vocals, bass) / Chris Boddy (guitar, keys, backing vocals) / Marty Chatrin (drums) / Jamie Sword
Edmonton based gothic rock act formed in 1982. Split up in 1988. Members went on to form Wickerman and The Loved Ones.
Albums
1986 Living Heck [6-song 12″] (Rubber) RR-8605
1987 Above Reproach Beneath Contempt [cassette] (Rubber) RR-8707
EVANKO, Ed
Born: Edward Daniel Evanko on October 19, 1941 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
After graduating from the University of Manitoba, Ed Evanko studied singing and acting at the Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, England and was a member of the BBC Singers for three years. He would also join both the English Opera Company and the Welsh National Opera. After six years in England he returned to Canada and starred in his own weekly TV show in 1967 called ‘The Ed Evanko Show’. He would finally come to international prominence in 1969 when he appeared on Broadway in the musical ‘Canterbury Tales’. His vocal abilities landed him a deal with Decca Records who released his self-titled album in 1970. The album single “Let Her Go” peaked at No.78 on the RPM Magazine Top100 singles chart in late June of that year. He continued working on Broadway through the 1970s – including a stint in ‘Rex’ with Nicol Williamson before turning to television in the 1980s on soap operas and the occasional sitcom (like ‘3rd Rock from the Sun’). In his late 50’s he traded in his professional acting and singing career and completed a degree for Master of Arts in Theology in the spring of 2005, and went on to become a priest in the Archeparchy of Winnipeg as a Ukrainian Greek Catholic. He is now a travelling priest in rural Manitoba.
Singles
1970 Let Her Go/Face of a Clown (Decca) 7-32681
Albums
1970 Ed Evanko (Decca) DL-75238
197- I Dedicate This Song To You (Amherst) 79-1
197- I Did It For Your Love
1983 My Native Land (Destiny) BEL-83-2
Compilation Tracks
1969 “I Have a Noble Cock,” “I Am All A-blaze,” “There’s the Moon” [w/SANDY DUNCAN], and “I’ll Give My Love a Ring” [w/SANDY DUNCAN], on ‘Canterbury Tales: Original Broadway Cast Recording’ (Capitol) SW-229
1976 “No Song More Pleasing” [w/NICOL WILLIAMSON], “The Chase,” and “Elizabeth” on ‘Rex: Original Broadway Cast Recording’ (RCA/Victor) ABL1-1683
EVANS, Christine
British Columbia singer-songwriter and pianist.
Albums
2004 Take Me Home (Pacific Music) PM-12882
2006 Push (Pacific Music/CMC) PM-14182
2009 Standing On the Edge (Spinning – JPN) SPIN-008
Compilation Tracks
2004 “Take Me Home” on ‘Women & Songs 8’ (WEA) WTVD-61926
2006 “Push” on “Launch Starting Line” (Lakeside Media Group) LRD-9749
EVERGLADES
Steven Davey (rhythm guitar, vocals) / Glenn Schellenberg (keys) / Michael Brook (lead guitar) / Brad Townsend (bass)
Short-lived Toronto act, The Everglades, was formed in 1979 by Davey and Shellenberg after the collapse of their art-punk act The Dishes and Brook from his previous experimental project Flivva. They managed a short run on the Queen Street circuit and managed to get themselves in the ‘Last Pogo’ movie as well as its soundtrack. Several attempts were made to capture the band on tape – their first session of three songs was produced by BB Gabor at Rich Dodson’s Marigold Studio. The tracks still exist but have never been released. The second session was two songs produced by Keith Elshaw for Warner Bros. who decided to not sign the act. The third session was four tracks for MCA Records in 1982 but after putting $8,000 of their own money into the project the producer laid claim to the tapes and demanded $25k more before he’d release the tapes to MCA. The label wasn’t interested and so, the group decided to eat the loss and move on. Keith Whittaker (The Demics) was added as new vocalist and they changed their name to Hoi Polloi in 1983. This new electronic incarnation began recording with producer John Tucker and Whittaker was soon kicked out of the band before vocals could be completed. A new vocalist was added and the band attempted four songs in their own studio before the entire project fizzled out; Davey became food critic for NOW Magazine and died unexpectedly in June 2014; Shellenberg co-founded the band T.B.A.; Brook went on to work extensively with Brian Eno. With notes from Steven Dave . [also see THE DISHES]
Compilation Tracks
1979 “Rock & Roll Cliche” and “I’m In A Coma” on ‘And Now Live From Toronto.The Last Pogo’ (Bomb) 7029
1981 “Rock & Roll Cliche” on ‘Bomb Catalogue 1’ (Bomb) CAT-81
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Pamela Marsh (vocals) / Christ Paputts (guitar) / Bruce Wheaton (vocals, guitar) / Carson Richards (bass, vocals) / David Hare (keyboards) / Alan Muggeridge (drums)
Taking its name from the Sly & The Family Stone song of the same name, Everyday People was created by Bruce Wheaton in 1970 after his band Stitch In Tyme split up. They were based in Yorkville, home of several members who came from acts like a reformed Jack London & The Sparrows (which featured David Hare and future Major Hoople’s Boarding House member Ed Miller), but found their biggest popularity in the Maritimes where three of the members originated from including Pamela Marsh who had once been a member of Woody’s Termites with April Wine member Myles Goodwyn. Everyday People were signed to GRT Records in 1971. They released several singles that went Top-10 in the Maritimes, but got the band little recognition in Toronto. GRT was not promoting their records in the east and fans were frustrated not being able to buy the band’s material. They disbanded shortly thereafter. Wheaton later joined east coast band Molly Oliver whom he was with throughout the late ’70’s and early ’80’s; Marsh continued singing throughout Nova Scotia and continues with a successful solo career; Hare was an insurance broker for his own company and moonlighted as part of the duo A Positive Outlook; Paputts joined The Brtish Are Coming and The Fun Guys before becoming infamous with his alter ego Chris Hate of The Viletones and The Secrets. with notes from Bruce Wheaton.
Singles
1970 You Make Me Wonder/Nova Scotia Home Blues (GRT) 1233-01
1971 I Get The Feeling/Experience In Love (GRT) 1233-05
1972 Everyday People/Don’t Wait Until Tomorrow (GRT) 1233-08
1972 I Like What I Like/Don’t Wait For Tomorrow (GRT) 1233-12
1972 Feelin’ Better Already/Travellin’ (GRT) 1233-14
1972 Today, I Feel Like Being Happy/Music Man (GRT) 1233-16
Albums
1971 Everyday People (GRT) 9233-1002
1972 I Like What I Like (De-Lite) SPLK-7160
EVERYTHING, Eva
Eva Everything is a multi-media Renaissance Woman. In 1981 she released her first video, “Polyester Passion”, but there weren’t commercial video shows to air it on TV in Canada yet. The first airplay was on CFMT’s ‘The All Nite Show’ that year. “Boob Tube” and “Painless” followed and received significant airplay/showings on the newly launched MuchMusic. The top notch production landed her a deal with Quality Records. In 1985 she was invited by the Canadian Embassy and Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Japan to have the “Boob Tube” video included among 20 works for a Canadian video mosaic exhibition. Unfortunately, they made her pay for the trip! The “No Pleasure” video was nominated for Best Video in the 1985 CFNY-FM ‘U-Know Awards’. In recent years Everything moved from in front of the film and video cameras to behind them as a television producer/writer. She won several science writers’ awards, and went on to produce and write the second season of Discovery Channel Canada’s Kids@discovery. The theme and some of the background music is hers. Her recent project is a book that’s an all ages fun science quiz text called ‘What Does The Moon Smell Like?’. with notes from Eva Everything.
Singles
1984 Painless/Afraid of the Dark
1985 No Pleasure/No Pleasure (Dance Version) (Quality) Q2457X
1989 Piece of Cake: Soundtrack [7 song 7″ EP] (Great Shakes) GSRT-2S
Albums
1984 Boob Tube (Great Shakes) GSRT-1-2233
1985 No Pleasure/Painless/No Pleasure (Dance Mix) [12″] (Quality) QDC-306
1987 In Demand
1991 Eva Everything: Soundtracks [cassette]
1991 Eva Everything: Greatest Hits [cassette]
Compilation Tracks
1992 “Piece Of Cake” (1990 version) on ‘A Canadian Alternative’ (Second Wave) SW-001
1996 “Of The Night Bodies” on ‘Warrior Music Compilation’
EVERYTHING, Fred
Born: Frédéric Blais in Hull Quebéc
Albums
2000 Under the Sun (Turbo) MARCD-010
2004 Light of Day (Vision – UK) VIS105CD
2008 Lost Together (Om) OM-301
2018 Long Way Home (Lazy Days) LZDLP11
2019 No Way Home [DigiFile] (Lazy Days) LZDLP-012
EVIL FARM CHILDREN
Dave Kerr (guitar, lead vocals) / Janice Fitzsimmons (bass, lead vocals, backing vocals) / Jeb Bond (drums, backing vocals)
Three-piece from Ottawa, Ontario featuring former Screaming Bamboo drummer Jeb Bond. The band took its name from a synopsis of the B-horror movie ‘Blood on Satan’s Claw.’Formed in the summer of 2005, Evil Farm Children regularly played many of Ottawa’s live music venues, as well as traveling to play various clubs in Toronto, Montréal, London, Hamilton, Peterborough, and several other towns in Southern Ontario. They even performed at the prestigious 2008 Ottawa Blues Festival.
Singles
2009 Three Orange Whips/Outer Limits Bride (Dad’s Favourite Records) DAD-1012
Albums
2006 Knuckle Duster [5-song EP] (Dad’s Favourite Records) DAD-1008
2008 Evil Farm Children II: The Evilling (Dad’s Favourite Records) DAD-1010
EVOLUTION EXPANTION
T. Iacona / A. Gratzer / B. Braunstein
Little is known about this group. Their lone single is considered the rarest Québec single in the collector community. Only five copies have materialized since its release in 1968.
Singles
1968 Blow Up/Blues Finding (Trans-World) TW-1704
EVOY, Larry
Born: Lawrence Wayne Evoy
Larry Evoy was originally catapulted to fame as a member of Edward Bear who formed in 1967, initially as a five piece (including two drummers), but after an internal shuffle Evoy took on vocal duties alongside drumming with Danny Marks and Paul Weldon to be a stand alone trio. They struggled through the Yorkville scene in Toronto until finally landing some high profile gigs opening for Paul Butterfield and Led Zeppelin at Toronto’s Rockpile. This was enough to attract the likes of Capitol Records in 1969. Their debut album, ‘Bearings’, was released without much fanfare, or a single, but after radio responded to the song “You, Me & Mexico”, it was released in February 1970 and became a hit in Canada, reaching No.3 on the international charts and No.68 in the U.S. Alas, they embarked on a disastrous tour of Canada (ending up stranded in Vancouver for a week with only one poorly attended gig at the University of British Columbia). Their sophomore LP in 1970, ‘Eclipse’, failed to find a substantial audience even with the single “You Can’t Deny It” However, the band hit its stride with their third album, ‘Edward Bear’, in 1972 and had back-to-back charting singles: “Fly Across The Sea”, “Masquerade” and the song that made them a household name: “Last Song”. The song went to No.1 in Canada, No.3 in the U.S. and Top5 in Australia; it sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. The American arm of Capitol re-issued “You, Me & Mexico” as the follow-up and it re-entered the U.S. charts. The group won the ‘Outstanding Performance By A Group’ JUNO Award in 1972. Album four, 1973’s ‘Close Your Eyes’ was loosely based on Evoy’s embrace of Scientology. The title track hit No.3 in Canada and Top30 in the U.S. Edward Bear split up in 1974. Larry Evoy emerged as a solo artist in 1976 on Attic Records leading the charge with the 7″ single “Perfect Strangers” which peaked in the Top30 on the RPM singles chart in December 1976. A year later Attic released the album ‘Here I Go Again’ and the title track performed better with a peak chart position of No.18 on the RPM singles chart in March of 1978. The second singles was a remake of Lou Christie’s 1969 hit “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” . After the failure of the album to produce any significant sales, Evoy moved to Voyage Records for the single “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” which failed to chart. Evoy is currently retired and breeding show horses. In 2009 at the behest of rock journalist Richie Yorke, the original three members – Larry Evoy, Danny Marks and Paul Weldon – reunited at a small gathering in Toronto. with notes from Danny Marks, Roger Ellis, Jimi Bertucci, Warren Kurtz, and Andy Summerlin. [also see EDWARD BEAR]
Singles
1976 Perfect Strangers/Can’t Get You Out of My Mind (Attic) AT-135
1977 Here I Go Again/When I Don’t Love You (Attic) AT-171
1978 Goodbye/I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind (Attic) AT-180
1978 I’m Gonna Make You Mine/You and I (Attic) AT-189
1978 Dreams/You And I (Attic) AT-199
Albums
1977 Larry Evoy (Attic) LAT-1049
Compilation Tracks
1977 “Here I Go Again” on ‘Music Magic’ (K-Tel) TC-246
EWANCHUK, Orissia
Born: Orysia Evanchuck
Modest Sklepowich (aka Mickey Sheppard) was a pharmacist who also performed with a band called The Sons Of The Golden West around his home town of Ethelbert, Manitoba. He also worked as a disc jockey at radio station CKDM in Dauphin, Manitoba. His wife, Orissia Ewanchuk (aka Bunny Sheppard), was a school teacher. Their career as a duo – Mickey And Bunny – began when Winnipeg record producer Alex Groshak heard them performing their Country and Western act, and approached them to record some versions of their music in Ukrainian. Groshak created V Records specifically to issue their material and each of them as solo artists. [also see MICKEY AND BUNNY]
Singles
1964 “Oh How” I Love Peter/The Bashful Lover (V) V-120
1965 Beautiful Brown Eyes Waltz/Cuckoo Song (V) V-131
EXCENTRIQUES, Les
Reginald Breton (vocals) / Réal Deschatelets (guitar) / Denis Lauzon (bass) / Leander Root (guitar) / Florian Shields (drums)
Formed in 1963 as Les Golden Marks. By 1964 the band would take a cue from the Beatles’ new found popularity and began wearing pink hair and pink suits and changed their name to Les Cinq Excentriques. In late 1964 they were signed to RCA Records and began recording a series of ‘sides’ at RCA’s studio in Montreal. The first single was “Fume, Fume, Fume” (a French remake of The Beach Boys’ “Fun, Fun, Fun”) in January 1965. In February 1965 the band performed the song on Pierre Lalonde’s ‘Youth Today’ TV show which immediately catapulted their popularity in Quebéc. Soon after they shorted the name to Les Excentriques and began performing at some of the higher profile clubs around the province including Club Ye Ye’s at Café Saint Jacques, Hotel Lapointe and the Lafayette Club among others. By the spring of 1965 their second single “Je veux, je veux” hit radio and did well on the charts. A third single followed in the summer with a French adaptation of The Beach Boys’ “Help Me Rhonda” entitled “Aide-moi Chérie” which was released simultaneously with their debut album ‘Les Excentriques’. The band would perform the song on the 150th episode of “Youth Today”. Two more singles followed that year. In 1966 Les Excentriques release their remake of “Le fer, le marble et l’acier” which had also been a hit for Pierre Lalonde. By the summer the band had released its 2nd LP, ‘La vie en rose’, but disbanded in October 1966. Breton died December 1, 2009.
Singles
1965 Fume, Fume Fume/Amour blessé (RCA) 57-5625
1965 Je veux, je veux/J’etais parti (RCA) 57-5630
1965 Aide-moi Chérie/Danse danse danse (RCA) 57-5647
1965 Oh chérie/Tu reviens vers mot (RCA) 57-5665
1965 Je dis non, non, non/Pardonne-moi (RCA) 57-5673
1966 Le fer, le marble et l’acier/L’été, l’été (RCA) 57-5703
Albums
1965 Les Excentriques (RCA) PCS-1026
1966 La vie en rose (RCA) PCS-1101
EXCHANGE
Steve Sexton / Gerald O’Brien
In 1988, Gerald O’Brien (Nightwinds, Surrender, Klaatu tour) teamed up with good friend and fellow keyboardist Steve Sexton (Red Rider, Surrender) to form the instrumental duo Exchange. Following the release of their first album, ‘Into The Night’ in 1989 on Passport Records, Exchange made it into Billboard’s Top10 World Music Charts with their highly-acclaimed second album, ‘Between Places’, under the Mesa/Bluemoon label out of Los Angeles. That success prompted their move to LA in 1989, where Exchange went on to achieve further commercial success with the release of four more albums in the 1990’s and a hit with the song “Til the Last Teardrop Falls” featuring Marc Jordan and Amy Sky. The song would also be covered by David Hasselhof. Another song, “Her Body Makes Vows,” was featured in the movie “Never Talk To Strangers” starring Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Demornay, and was later recorded by Rick Springfield. Exchange also wrote and recorded the soundtracks for the animated TV series ‘The Legend of Prince Valiant’ and ‘Phantom 2040’ along with the theme for a Fox Sports’ Special and the 1996 Tour de France. In addition, they have also had their music featured on ‘Baywatch’, the NFL Super Bowl, the MLB’s baseball World Series, ABC’s ‘Wide World of Sports,’ the US Open, the Masters, the Olympics, ‘20/20’, and ‘Late Night With David Letterman,’ among others. Following a lengthy hiatus, Exchange re-united in 2011 in Nashville (where O’Brien now lives) and released the album ‘Eleven Eleven’ in 2012. Exchange has been nominated for two Juno Awards in the category of ‘Best Instrumental Artist of the Year.’ with notes from Gerald O’Brien and Francis W. Davies.
Singles
1988 Into the Night (Penta) PDPR-02
1992 Her Body Makes Vows [featuring MARC JORDAN] (3 mixes) (Mesa/Bluemoon/BMG)
Albums
1988 Into The Night [LP] (Passport) SYN-313
1989 Inter the Night [CD] (Penta) PCD-10004
1990 Between Places (Mesa/Bluemoon) 79019
1991 The Legend of Prince Valiant [Original Television Soundtrack] (Mesa/Bluemoon) 79040
1992 Exchange (Mesa/Bluemoon) R2-79043
1993 Beyond Words (Mesa/Bluemoon) R2-79051
1993 The Legend Of Prinz Eisenherz (Soundtrack) (WZ Tonträger Vertriebs GmbH) WZ-95000
2012 Eleven Eleven
EXCITED FIRST DAUGHTER
Paul Funk (guitar, vocals) / David Horsely (stick, vocals) / Q [aka Ken Romanyshyn] (percussion, electronics)
Formed in 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia. They released their debut album ‘This Is The Picture Now’ in 1993. The band was still together as of 2004.
Albums
1993 This Is The Picture Now (independent)
EXCITER
Current Lineup: Jacque Belanger (vocals; since 1996) / John Ricci (guitars; 1983-1985; 1992-present) / Marc Charron (bass; since 1996) / Rick Charron (drums; since 1996);
Previous Members: Dan Beehler (drums, vocals; 1983-1993) / Jeff McDonnald (bass; 1993-1993) / David Ledden (bass; 1992-1992) / Allan James Johnson (bass; 1983-1988) / Brian McPhee (guitars; 1986-1988) / Rob Malnati (vocals; 1988-1988)
Ottawa metal trio Exciter are noted as the progenitors of Canada’s much maligned speed metal genre. They debuted in 1983 with ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’ on US based Shrapnel Records. Exciter sold more that 75,000 copies of their second LP ‘Violence And Force’ and began playing with their peers around the industry like Anthrax, Motorhead, and an opening slot for Wendy O. Williams in Columbus, Ohio, that led Exciter to headline their own ‘Violence And Force Tour ’84’ through Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, and other major cities. After rave reviews at a sold out Hollywood Palladium, the group settled down for a few weeks to record their 3rd LP ‘Long Live the Loud’. 1986’s ‘Unveiling the Wicked’ would be the first album without founding guitarist John Ricci who quit in mid-tour in 1985 to pursue a solo career. The band would bring in guitarist Brian McPhee for the next two releases. Ricci had no luck with a new metal band called Blackstar (featuring two separate incarnations) and after a three year hiatus, Ricci returned with original member Dan Beehler plus new bassist Jeff MacDonald to release 1992’s ‘Kill After Kill’ with production from former Avalon member Manfred Leidecker. He then signed Exciter to Noise Records in Germany, a European tour followed and sales reached in excess of 100,000 units. Hot on the heels of this success, Leidecker and Exciter re-teamed for the live album ‘Better Live Than Dead’ in 1993. Despite the failure for heavy metal to sustain itself in the late 1990’s, Exciter raged on – first in 1997 with ‘The Dark Command’ on Osmose Records followed by ‘Blood of Tyrants’ (2000) and ‘New Testament’ (2004) and then two more offerings to close out the decade. with notes from LS Productions.
Albums
1983 World War III [cassette] (independent)
1983 Heavy Metal Maniac (Shrapnel) SH-1004
1984 Violence And Force (Banzai) BRC-1903
1985 Long Live The Loud (Banzai) BRC-1936
1985 Feel The Knife (Music For Nations – UK) 12-KUT-113
1986 Unveiling The Wicked (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-61
1988 Exciter (Maze) MMCD-1040
1989 Heavy Metal Maniac/Violence And Force [re-issue] (Mega Force) MC-1397
1992 Kill After Kill (Noise) N-0192-2
1993 Better Live Than Dead (Mega Force) MEGA-1988
1997 The Dark Command (Osmose) OPCD-059
2000 Blood of Tyrants (Osmose) OPCD-089
2004 New Testament (Osmose) OPCD-156
2008 Thrash Speed Burn (Blistering) BR-011
2010 Death Machine (Massacre) CD-0666
Compilation Tracks
1982 “World War III” on ‘U.S. Metal II’ (Shrapnel) SH-1002
1984 “Violence & Force” on ‘Hell Comes To Your House’ (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-30
1985 “Death Revenge” on “From The Megavault’ (Mega Force) MRI-1569
1985 “I Am The Beast” on ‘Welcome To The Metal Zone’ (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-49
1985 “Riders From Darkness” on ‘Speed Kills: The Very Best of Speed Metal’ (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-54
1986 “Break Down The Walls” on ‘Beyond The Metal Zone’ (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-63
1986 “Feel The Knife” on ‘The Singles Album’ (Music For Nations – UK) MFN-71
1998 “Aggressor” on ‘The World Domination III” (Osmose) OPCD-067
2003 “Cold Blooded Murder” on ‘Power of Metal – 20 Years In Noise’ (Noise) NO-3792
EXCUSES EXCUSES
Kyle Wilton (vocals, guitar) / Trevor Bowman (bass) / Jason Nicoll (drums)
From Ontario.
Singles
2018 Pizza And Cigarettes
2019 Mind Over Matter
2022 Far From Perfect (Known Accomplice)
2022 Listen Up!/Meaning Of Life (Known Accomplice)
2022 Hardship To Sail (Known Accomplice)
Album
2022 Listen Up! (Known Accomplice)
EXISTERS
Scott Chapley / Barry Q. [aka Barrie Farrell] (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) / Denis Grey [aka Denis Ridout] (drums) / George Dean Higton (lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals) / Carl Shultz (saxophone, synths) / ChipYarwood (flute, synth, backing vocals) / Stephen ‘Baby Oil’ Hall (bass, backing vocals)
Punk band formed in 1977 in Toronto, Ontario. They released one single, “Telex Love”, and split up in 1980; The members all went on to other Toronto bands. Hall died in the late ‘90s; In 2007 Canadian punk biographer/radio host Greg Dick convinced the band to do a live reunion performance on CIUT radio in Toronto.
Singles
1979 Telex Love/Spadina (Shy-Anne) CCL-45-540
EXIT 4 [see THE MUNKS]
EXPEDITION
From Montréal, Quebéc
Singles
1971 Miles Away (Live)/Don’t Know About You (Live) (Cegep) CG-6011
Albums
1971 Live (Cegep) CG-1653
EXPEDITION TO EARTH
Gail Bowen (lead vocals) / Bernie Barsky (lead vocals) / Dave Mitchell (percussion) / Brian Levin (bass) / Dan Norton (lead guitar)
Expedition To Earth formed in 1966 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The band was signed and recorded for the Franklin label out of Winnipeg in 1967. Their self-named single, “Expedition to Earth”, was released in 1968. They toured extensively in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta allowing their single to reach No. 3 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. A copy of “Expedition to Earth” currently rests in The Museum of Man and Nature’s ‘Rock And Roll Exhibit’ in Winnipeg, Manitoba. On January 1, 2010 a 7″ single copy of “The Expedition To Earth” sold on Ebay for $360.55. Gail Bowen now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia; Bernie Barsky now lives in or around Mississauga, Ontario; Dave Mitchell lives in Calgary, Alberta; Brian Levin now resides in Prince George, British Columbia; Dan Norton now lives in British Columbia. with notes from Andre Gibeault and Dan Norton.
Singles
1967 Expedition to Earth/Time Time Time (Franklin) 618
EXTRAS, The
Denis Keldie (vocals, keys) / Paul Armstrong (drums, vocals) / Leon Stevenson (lead vocals, syncussion) / Pat Rush (guitar; 1983) / Paul Daiter (bass) / Bryant Didier (bass; replaced Daiter) / Michael St.Clair (guitar; replaced Rush) / Mario Monaco (drums; replaced Armstrong)
In the Spring of 1979, Denis Keldie was working in a band called Sneakers with Leon Stevenson (who had known each other from school in Mississauga, Ontario) During the same period Stevenson was working with B.B. Gabor as a songwriter on material for Gabor. His group, The Instaband, featured Paul Armstrong on drums and Tom Griffiths on bass. When Gabor signed his record deal with Anthem Records, he decided to combine Stevenson and Keldie with the members of The Instaband as his musicians for his first solo. Following two weeks of pre-production with Terry Brown a disastrous and very drunken performance by B.B and the band at The Edge in Toronto was apparently witnessed by a label rep and the brakes were quickly put on the recordings with Gabor’s backing band. Though the various members were asked to sign publishing contracts for the material they co-wrote with Gabor (Stevenson writing the lyrics to “Metropolitan Life”; Armstrong writing the lyrics to “Soviet Jewelry”; Keldie co-writing “Moscow Drug Club”), the band itself was fired from the recording sessions. From this fiasco was born the united Extras who signed with Ready Records and released “Bit Parts” featuring soon-to-be famous producer David Bendeth. The album spawned two hit singles: the hilarious condom conundrum “Circular Impression” and “Jealous Girl” (The Extras and BB Gabor would eventually reconcile and Gabor would record “Jealous Girl” on his sophomore album). The group released the unspectacular ‘The Road to Zambando’ in 1982 and in 1983 they released a 5 song EP called ‘The Watcher’ which featured the departure of Armstrong and the addition of Pat Rush (guitar) and Paul Daiter (bass). The record spawned the single of the title track. It was in 1984 on their fourth outing, ‘Extrapolis’, that the band drew any real success. The album featured the single “Can’t Stand Still” which was a catchy song and featured the second ever animated Canadian video. The album hit No.66 on CSCR’s Top LP’s of 1984 and they won a CFNY-FM U-Know Award for the video to “I Can’t Stand Still”. The Extras toured extensively through 1985 adding Michael St. Clair on guitar, Bryant Didier on bass, and Mario Monaco on drums . The band struggled until the demise of Ready Records and the members embarked on other musical projects; In 1990 Leon Stevenson joined forces with guitarist Wally Matas to form Industrial Artz. The Extras reunited in 2003 to record new material which would supplement songs from the first album entitled ‘Ripe’. with notes from Leon Stevenson, Denis Keldie, Ken Ames.
Singles
1981 Jealous Girl/No Generation (Ready) SRG-010.2
1981 Everytime I See Your Face/Circular Impression (Ready) SRG-010.5
1982 Turning It Out/Mega Media Myth (Ready) SR-221
1983 Fever Fire/Fever Fire (Edit) (Ready) SR-032
1983 The Watcher/Love Stew (Ready) SR-361
1983 I Never Told You I Told You So/Somebody Snatched It (Ready) SR-362
1984 Can’t Stand Still/Machines (Ready) SR-511
Albums
1981 Bit Parts (Ready) LR-010
1982 The Road To Zambando (Ready) LR-022
1983 The Watcher EP (Ready) ER-036
1984 Extrapolis (Ready) LR-051
2004 Ripe (Extras)
Compilation Tracks
1982 “Turning It Out” on ‘Rocktober ‘82’ (Attic) ROCT-082
2010 “State of the Heart (Unreleased)” on ‘Into the 80s: Great Toronto Bands’ (Sugar Moon) SM10-001
EXTROVERTS
Brent Caron (vocals, harp, synth) / Dennis Stewart (feedback guitar; switched to bass 1977; drums 1978) / Doris The Mannequin (Space Echo, synths) / D. Hanson (guitar) / Mark (drums; replaced by Stewart in 1978) / Eddie Lester (guitar; replaced Hanson 1978) / Vinny (bass; added 1978) / Nick (guitar; added 1978) / Emery Bored (bass; replaced Vinny) / Hap Hazzard (drums; replaced Stewart) / Grant Larceny (bass; replaces Bored)
Regina, Saskatchewan’s pioneer pop-punk band started in February 1977 with Caron and Stewart experimenting in a basement. A revised version emerged later that year with Stewart switching to bass, Hanson on guitar and Mark on drums. It took most of 1978-1979 to secure a solid line-up to performs live. Their first gigs were just drunken all night parties but they did manage to win a Battle of the Bands contest in Moose Jaw in July 1979. Stewart was later busted for cocaine possession, fined and moved to Toronto while Bored returned to Vancouver. Caron and Lester called on a new rhythm section of Hazzard and Larceny in September 1979 and the band started playing legitimate club gigs three weeks later. Their Fungus Tour began in February 1980 as Saskatchewan blizzard season began. By the summer they manage to play larger auditorium and outdoor festival gigs having been banned from several high schools for obscenities and underage drinking. Their Low Density Population Tour begin across Saskatchewan in September 1981 and opened for DOA in Regina. Following a near riot at their gig in Moose Jaw at the Union Hall, the went to Studio West in Saskatoon to begin recording. The single “Living iIn Poverty” was released in late 1980 to favourable reviews and modest airplay. The band headed out on the Fungus Tour ‘81 at the beginning of the New Year followed by the Tour By Installment ‘81. The band parted ways in 1982. With the exception of a reunion show in 1984, the Extroverts remained dormant until reconvening in 2009. They are now working on new material.
Singles
1980 Living In Poverty/Political Animals (Extroverts) [no cat.#]
EXXOTONE
Randy Pandora (vocals) / Reed Eurchuk (keyboards) / Warren Hunter (guitar, bass) / Warren Ash (drums)
Vancouver, British Columbia’s Exxotone (originally The Detectives) was formed in 1979 after singer Randy Pandora’s band The Generators disbanded. Exxotone was barely together for a few months and only managed to release two songs which were included on the ‘Vancouver Complication’ compilation. Hunter and Ash went on to join AKA and then Rhythm Mission.
Compilation Tracks
1979 “Big Shot” and “Sideways” on ‘Vancouver Complication’ (Pinned) PIN-79330001
EYE EYE
Michael Bell (vocals) / Bill Wood (vocals; replaced Bell) / Andy Ryan (guitar) / Doug Ruston (bass) / Mark Caporal (drums) / Tom Lewis (bass; replaced Ruston) / Donald Quan (keyboards; added 1988)
Ryan and Wood were originally in Toronto band The Oh Nos and after it split, Wood joined Billy Club while Ryan hooked up with Caporal as the duo Eye Eye in 1983. After record companies started showing interest in their tunes, Eye Eye added Bell on vocals and Ruston to form a legitimate band. They won the annual Q107 Homegrown contest in 1984. Coincidentally Bill Wood’s band Billy Club was also a finalist in the same contest. First prize was a record deal, but with the financial difficulties of the label in question, the group steered clear of any long term commitments. They were also finalists in the 1985 CBC ‘Rock Wars’ and a 3rd place finish (out of 632 bands) in the 1985 ‘National Rock Express/MuchMusic Talent Search’. All of this exposure gave the band some clout and so they were able to convince Terry Brown to record a 6 song demo at Scarborough’s Certain Circles Studio. The demo attracted several major labels to their door. But when Bell quit the band the offers were withdrawn. The group then brought in Wood and was still able to salvage a record deal with Toronto indie label Duke Street Records who signed Eye Eye in late 1985. The release of their Terry Brown produced debut album, ‘Just in Time to Be Late’, managed two hit singles “Out On a Limb” and “X-Ray Eyes” despite Duke Street’s struggle to market them. The band toured, charted and had video rotation which became fodder for their 19 year-old female audience. Eye Eye were caught off guard by their sudden rise in popularity so when it came time to come off the road and begin working on the follow-up album, they had no material. It would take 8 months of pre-production to get new tunes happening and producer David Bendeth had to whip the songs into shape because the band was writing material literally minutes before going back into the studio. Internal conflicts led to the departure of Ruston and the introduction of Tom Lewis and fifth member Don Quon on keyboards. The band toured again and experienced some radio action with the singles “Endless Night” and “My Sensation” but the decade was drawing to a close as was poppy techno-pop. Eye Eye split soon after. Andy Ryan became a recording engineer and ran a workshop out of his Playroom Studio in Scarborough. He’s now a Toronto real estate agent; Wood started showing up in commercials on TV, released two albums with the band Ghostown and is now a solo artist releasing two albums to date (1996’s ‘Sun World’ and 2007’s ‘Take It’); Lewis went on to play with Beyond 7 with Gordon Deppe (Spoons) and Honeymoon Suite among other jobs; Caporal was the stage director at the Ontario Place Forum while working artist relations for SOCAN before dying tragically in a light plane crash on September 2, 1990 at the Kawartha Soaring Club in Omemee, Ontario. with notes from Michael Bell, Andy Ryan and Andy Coates.
Singles
1986 Out On A Limb/Heartbeat (Duke Street) DSR-71025
1986 X-Ray Eyes/One Sided Love (Duke Street) DSR-81025
1986 X-Ray Eyes [Fancy Bad Suit Mix]//X-Ray Eyes [Band Mix]/Out On A Limb [Album Version] [12”] (Duke Street) DS-12025
1986 Faithfully Yours/Wishing Well (Duke Street) DSR-91025
1988 Endless Night/Perfect Day (Duke Street) DSR-91037
1988 My Sensation/Frequency of Love (Duke Street) DSR-10037
1988 My Sensation [Accent Aigu Mix]//My Sensation [Album Version]/Frequency of Love [12”] (Duke Street) DSR-12037
Albums
1986 Just In Time To Be Late (Duke Street) DSR-31025
1988 Common Ground (Duke Street) DSR-31037
Compilation Tracks
1984 “Hollywood Girls” on ‘Q107 Homegrown Album – Volume 6’ (RCA) KQL1-7087
EYE ON YOU
From Calgary, Alberta.
Singles
1985 Who’s Been Sleeping In My Head? [4-song EP] (Rubber)
1985 Illusions Of Freedom [2-song 7″] (ION)
EYES OF DAWN, The
Wayne McQuaid (lead vocals) / Terry King (bass, vocals) / Rich Francoeur (lead guitar) / Warren Henry (guitar) / Leo Leclair (bass) / Greg Magee (drums) / Rick Lemieux (bass, vocals; replaced King) / Jack Arsenault (organ)
When The Fugitives 4 lost their guitarist, Jack Arseneault, his parting gift to the band was suggesting they change their name. They became Eyes of Dawn in 1966 and their first break came when they won the ‘Big 9’ battle of the bands in Hull, Quebéc. From there they perfected their playing and performing four nights per week as the house band for at the Le Petite Souris coffee house. Their standing room only/sold out shows brought them to the attention of manager John Poser who took them on as clients. He soon arranged a recording session in Montréal with Don Norman and Ron Greene as producers. Their first single “Time to Be Going” was released in January 1967. Shortly after the release McQuaid left the band. Throughout 1967 they began to establish themselves on the Ottawa/Quebéc circuit highlighted by an opening slot for Eric Burden & The Animals at the Ottawa Coliseum that ended in a riot and the end to rock shows at the venue. Their second single, “Kaleidoscope”, was released released in December 1967. The band split up in early 1968. McQuaid went on to join The Wax Museum and Those Naughty Boys; Terry King continued as a solo performer and then teamed up with Les Emmerson (Five Man Electrical Band) and Dick Cooper of Cooper Brothers in Cooper, King & Emmerson. with notes from Marc Coulavin, Alexander J. Taylor.
Singles
1967 Time to Be Going/Ignorance And Hardship (Sir John A.) RG-1018
1967 Kaleidoscope/Little By Little (Sir John A.) SJA-4
Compilation Tracks
1995 “Time to Be Going” & “Ignorance and Hardship” on ‘Ottawa Rocks: The Sir John A. Years (1966 – 1968)’ (Sound Investment Enterprises) D-11101
© 1998 – 2023 Jaimie Vernon.
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