Five Man Electrical Band is one of Canada’s best loved and hardest working rock and roll bands from the 60s and 70s. Originally formed in Ottawa, Ontario in 1964 as the Staccatos (Rick Belanger, Les Emmerson, Brian Rading & Vern Craig), the group first gained national recognition in 1967, when they recorded an album for
In the late 1960’s Roger Earl & Lonesome Dave Peverett first toured America as members of the seminal British band “Savoy Brown”. Together with guitarist Kim Simmonds, “Savoy Brown” was on the cutting edge of the emerging British blues-rock scene, and they influenced countless musicians on both sides of the “pond”. In 1971, wanting to
From college campuses to supper clubs, fairs to industrial shows, commercials to concert halls, Tokyo’s Latin Quarter to New York’s Copacabana, Glasgow’s Empress Theatre to Notre Dame, Las Vegas’ Sands Hotel to Honolulu Stadium, Okinawa’s Naha Theatre to Manilla’s Aranete Concert Hall… the Four Lads radio, television and live appearances reads like a veritable “who’s
35 girls and not one boy showed up to audition for the annual Hollywood High School talent show in the fall of 1955. The next day the school bulletin pleaded for “any guys out there who can do anything” and a show business story began that sounds a little like an MGM Musical. Unable to
No other popular quartet stayed together with original personnel intact for as long as the legendary Four Tops. And no other group associated with the American 60s sound has succeeded in remaining as fresh, joyful, lively, and timely. The Four Tops created a special magic that continues to delight audiences of all ages and nationalities,
In 1984, a young rock vocalist named Fran Cosmo joined forces with Barry Goudreau, guitarist for a group which became one of the cornerstones of the American “classic rock” genre – Boston. Not only was this a major evolutionary step in the rock-n-roll career of Fran, but also the formation of a musical wormhole, extending
On July 7,1979, an unknown French Canadian singer from Montreal – all of sweet 16 – stepped onto the boards of New York’s Fire Island before a screaming crowd of 5,000 to perform her very first single, “Come to Me”. She left the stage a star. “Come to Me” reached # 1 on Billboard’s dance chart, # 13 on its pop
Seldom has a performer been strongly considered for an Academy Award in both acting and music, yet Frank Stallone has managed to pull it off. His fiery portrayal of a brutish bartender in BARFLY had Hollywood insiders abuzz at Oscar time, and his #1 smash hit single, ‘Far From Over’ from Staying Alive was likewise touted for a “Best
In association with Harmony Artists. Born on September 18, 1940 as Francis Thomas Avallone, Frankie Avalon started out playing the trumpet. He was good enough to catch the eye of a local talent scout, who arranged for him to appear on Jackie Gleason’s CBS-TV show, which led to other appearances on national television. By the
Frankie Valli was born in the Italian First Ward of Newark, New Jersey as Francis Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1937, and went on to achieve worldwide fame both, as lead singer of The Four Seasons, one of the biggest music acts of the 1960s, and also as a solo artist. Frankie’s future course was
Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 19, 1942, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Her polished voice caught the attention of music executives and
No oldies collection would be complete without Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s thrilling “Palisades Park”, with its carnival sound effects, swooping organ, relentless driving beat, and, of course, Freddy’s inimitable holler. Written by Chuck Barris (of Gong Show fame), and based on what was then one of New Jersey’s most popular amusement parks, the song is an
They are called “The Friends of Distinction” and for much of the last two decades, this talented four member, sophisticated jazz, R&B styled vocal group has distinguished itself in major entertainment arenas across the US. and Europe. The original Friends of Distinction was formed in 1968 by Floyd Butler and Harry Elston, both alumni of
One of the most influential groups in the history of R&B, Charlie Wilson and his brothers, Robert and Ronnie, made themselves famous with their nonstop humorous funk grooves. You can probably get a witness of their style from many of the “new school” performers such as, R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, Jagged
America’s baby boomers moved into their mid teens, Gary began his professional career. For his first hit,“New Orleans”, attention was brought to the record by having promotional copies sent to radio stations in sleeves inscribed “Buy U.S. Bonds” – hence at age 19, Gary Anderson became Gary’ U.S.’ Bonds. The follow-up was the now legendary
After completing his studies at the Frei University in Berlin in 1966, Gary Wright actively began pursuing music. Already fluent in German, he spent the next year touring throughout Germany doing live performances and beginning his career as a songwriter. Gary met Island Records founder Chris Blackwell the following year and moved to London where
For some time Gerry & the Pacemakers were the Beatles nearest competitors in Britain. Managed, like the Beatles, by Brian Epstein, Gerry Marsden and his band burst out of the gate with three consecutive number one UK hits in 1963, “How Do You Do It”, “I Like It”, and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Gerry & the Pacemakers defined
For those who weren’t there, it’s hard to imagine the impact of the arrival of Disco. For a decade, it made New York City the center of the universe, the decadent, dazzling and glamorous palace of all the night life in the world. Disco created a whole new heaven of stars, and the biggest of
The Grass Roots Are: DUSTY HANVEY: (Lead Guitar , Vocals)- For more than 27 years this Cherry Valley, California native has been an integral part of one of the most iconic bands of it’s time. Along with his skills as a lead guitarist and vocalist, Dusty also takes on the title of The Grass Roots’ Road
Greg Kihn left his hometown of Baltimore in 1971, where he learned how to play guitar. On the streets of Berkeley, California, he had dreams of making his fortune in the Golden Street. While playing for spare change on Telegraph Avenue, he started a band with his life-long musical partner Steve Wright. Soon they joined
In May 1966, The Happenings virtually exploded onto the national charts with their first single release,“See You In September”. The song quickly spiraled up the charts to become an international #1 record throughout the entire summer. Most recently, Entertainment Magazine has listed “See You In September”in the top 100 summer songs of all time! The Happenings,
It all began in West Germany when 5 young men stationed in the U.S. Army came together after work, went to the social clubs to play pool and sing a little harmony. This group was known as The Cashmeres. They joined with 3 young female vocalists and called themselves “The Cashmeres and The Black Pearls,”
Peter Noone, the artist formerly known as “Herman”, was born on November 5, 1947 in Manchester, UK. His father was a semi-pro musician and keen that his son should follow in his footsteps, so Peter was sent to study singing and acting at the Manchester School of Music and Drama. He was something of a
The Los Angeles music climate of the late 1960s and 1970s was characterized by the heavy sounds and sentiments that reflected the revolutionary attitudes of the generation. Bursting onto that scene was Iron Butterfly, whose sound not only epitomized the hard attitudes of the youth with its heavy drumming and bass lines, but also embraced
With its signature horn riff and one of the most famous opening lines in rock’n’roll, “I’m the friendly stranger in the black sedan, won’t you hop inside my car”, the Ides of March’s “Vehicle” has earned it’s place in rock history, but the story behind The Ides of March has a resonance that few bands can
