Hour One
1. Brian Hyland: Sealed With A Kiss (Udell / Geld) 1962
2. The Esquires: 36-24-36 (Welch / Marvin / Harris / Meehan) 1964 *
3. Gerry & The Pacemakers: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Williams / David) 1964
4. Luvin’ Kind: Missy D.M. (J Telfer) 1968 *
5. Liverpool Set: Oh Gee Girl (E Lancing) 1966 *
6. The Eyes Of Dawn: Time To Be Going (The Fortunes) 1967 *
7. The Knickerbockers: Lies (B Randell / B Charles) 1966
8. The Du-Cats: Shindig (Unknown) 1965 *
9. The Lovin’ Spoonful: Daydream (John Sebastian) 1966
10. Unit Four Plus Two: Concrete And Clay (Parker / Moeller) 1965
11. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers: Fading Away (Pete Rogers / Robert Rogers / Smokey Robinson / Warren Moore / William Robinson JR) 1968 *
12. The Searchers: Love Potion #9 (Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller) 1964
13. Cargo: Once A Proud Man (Norm Foster) 1969 *
14. The Heart: Treat Me Bad (John Martin / John Doddridge) 1967 *
15. The Beatles: The Word (Lennon / McCartney) 1965
16. The Kinks: Party Line (Dave and Ray Davies) 1966
17. Love Sculpture: You Can’t Catch Me (Chuck Berry) 1970
18. Peter & Gordon: World Without Love (Paul McCartney) 1964Hour Two
1. Lucky Seven: Rock And Roll Radio (Barry Ryan) 1987
2. The Meters: Come Together (Lennon / McCartney) 1976
3. Bryan Adams: Any Time At All (Lennon / McCartney) 2014 *
4. The Beatles: I’ll Cry Instead (Lennon / McCartney) 1964
5. Emmylou Harris: Here, There and Everywyere Lennon / McCartney) 1975
6. The Flaming Groovies: Please Please Me Lennon / McCartney) 1979
7. The Diodes: Shapes Of Things To Come (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil) 1977 *
8. David Celia: Smile, You’re Alive (David Celia) 2015 *
9. Robyn Hitchcock: Do Policemen Sing (R Hitchcock) 1981
10. Klaatu: California Jam (Klaatu) 1976 *
11. Fire Engines: New Thing In Cartons (Burn / Henderson / Main / Slade) 1980
12. Barney Bentall & Legendary Hearts: Something To Live For (Barney Bentall / G Fraser) 1988 *
13. Psychedelic Furs: Here Come Cowboys (R Butler / T Butler) 1984
14. The Haunted: Searching for My Baby (Arthur Lee) 1967 *CanCon = 44%
And Now for The Particulars:Hour One
1. Brian Hyland: Sealed With A Kiss (Udell / Geld)
45 single bw Ginny Come Lately: ABC Records ABC 4059
NYC
Brian Hyland: vocals
Mundell Lowe: guitar
Al Caiola: guitar
Gary Geld: piano
George Duvivier: bass
Blackie Shackner: harmonica
Gary Chester: drums
Sticks Evans and Al Rogers: percussion.
Produced by ABC Records staff, 1962Brian Hyland (born November 12, 1943)
"Sealed with a Kiss" is a song written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld and was most successful as a 1962 hit single for Brian Hyland, who recalls Geld saying the song was "based on, but not totally based on, a Bach finger exercise (see five-finger exercise)."[1] The original recording of "Sealed With a Kiss" was that by the Four Voices which was released as a single in May of 1960 without becoming a hit.
This was Hyland's biggest hit in the UK, but 2 years earlier in the US at the age of 16, he enjoyed an American chart topper with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini."
2. The Esquires: 36-24-36 (Welch / Marvin / Harris / Meehan)
Introducing The Esquires: Capitol Records - T-6075
Ottawa ON
Don Norman: vocals
Gary Comeau: lead guitar
Clint Hierlihy: bass
Paul Huot: guitar
Richie Patterson, drums
Produced by Clint Hierlihy, 1964
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Montreal
First Published in Canada August, 1964The Canadian Esquires, who were the first band to win the Maple Leaf Award 1964 (later called The Junos). There were other ‘Esquire’ bands in Indiana, West Virginia, Texas and this one (not to mention Neil Young’s Esquires (known as The Squires) in Winnipeg). Their biggest influences were Buddy Holly, The Shadows & Ventures, and of course The Beatles. Managed by Ottawa journalist and Beatle fan Sandy Gardiner, they were the first Canadian rock band to sign with a major record label. In fact, that made them label-mates with The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five (whom they opened for on their 1964 Canadian tour). Drummer Ritchie Patterson had a long career, playing in The Electrons (1961), The Characters, The Children and 3’s A Crowd among others. He was the first in the band to sport a Beatles haircut. Bass player / producer Clint Hierlihy currently lives in Kingston, still fixing tube-amps.
3. Gerry & The Pacemakers: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Williams / David)
Second Album: Capitol Canada - T 6107
Liverpool UK
Gerry Marsden: vocals, guitar
Freddie Marsden: drums
Les Chadwick: bass
Les Maguire: piano
Produced by George Martin, 1964
Recorded at Abby Road Studios, LondonThese early purveyors of the Liverpool Scene had a string of hits in 1963-64 culminating with the movie Ferry Cross the Mersey in 1965. Most of their hit songs were ballads, like Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying and a lot of people didn’t think they knew how to rock, but they did when they wanted to. This song war originally recorded in 1955 by Big Maybelle but it was Jerry Lee Lewis who had the definitive version recorded in 1957.
4. Luvin’ Kind: Missy D.M. (J Telfer)
45 single bw Without Her: Stone Records / Now Records 601
Winnipeg MB
Eddie Leclair: lead guitar
Jerry Leclair: bass
Alan Schick: rhythm guitar
Len Fidkalo: drums
Doug Dodd: keys
George Crakewich aka George Little: vocal
Produced by Jerry Leclair, 1968Late 60s outfit from Winnipeg / St Boniface Manitoba, first formed 1966 and lasted until 1972. Len Fidkalo had originally played drums with Neil Young & The Squires. Originally called Luvin’ Kind, they changed the spelling to Luvin’ Kynd for the release of Missy D.M.
5. Liverpool Set: Oh Gee Girl (E Lancing)
45 single bw Walking The Dog: Columbia Records 4-43512
Toronto ON
Dave Donnell (London, England) vocals
Lachlan Macfadyen: guitar
Kent Daubney (Newark, England) - guitar
Shane Sennet (Montréal, QC) - bass
Garry Nelson (Timmins, ON) - drums
Even Hunt (Wales) - guitar
Eve Lancing (Latvia) - guitar
Produced by Don Law and Frank Jones, 1966
Recorded in NashvilleKent Daubney (from Newark in the UK) was briefly in the Mynah Birds with Rick James for the rare single recording on Columbia called "The Mynah Birds Song" before leaving the band to co-form The Liverpool Set with guitarist Lachlan Macfadyen. Following the demise of the band Macfadyen would join the Townsmen.
6. The Eyes Of Dawn: Time To Be Going (The Fortunes)
45 Single: Sir John A RG 1018
Ottawa ON
Wayne McQuaid (lead vocals)
Terry King (bass, lead vocals)
Rich Francoeur (lead guitar)
Warren Henry (guitar)
Leo Leclair (bass)
Greg Magee (drums)
Jack Arsenault (organ)
Produced by Norman Greene, 1967When 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, Quebec.
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 Montreal 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/Quebec 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.
7. The Knickerbockers: Lies (B Randell / B Charles)
The Fabulous Knickerbockers: Challenge Records CH 622
Bergenfield, NJ
John Charles, bass
Beau Charles, guitar
Buddy Randell, sax
Jimmy Walker, drums
Produced by Jerry Fuller, 1966
Recorded by Bruce Botnick & Dave Hassinger
Music arranged by Leon RussellThe band was formed in 1962 in Bergenfield, New Jersey, by brothers Beau Charles (guitar and vocals) and John Charles (bass and vocals) (birth names: Robert and John Carlos Cecchino respectively). They quickly became known as a cover band, trying to copy all the latest trends. Thus, while some of their songs sounded like the Four Seasons, Lies sounded like it could have been The Beatles. In fact, many people really believed that it was The Beatles using a different name. Lies was their only real hit song.
8. The Du-Cats: Shindig
The Du-Cats: RCA PCS 1018
Port-aux-Basques, NL
Lew Skinner: lead guitar
Jim Crewe: rhythm guitar
Bob Battiste: bass
Joe Boulos: drums
Winston Blackmore: vocal
Produced 1965
Recorded in Boston MassThe Du-Cats were awarded the Stompin’ Tom Award at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards. The group ventured down to the New England States to record in 1965 and turned down a contract with Smash Records in the 1960s. Still, they were one of the first Newfoundland and Labrador rock bands to make records. Lead guitarist Lew Skinner is still active, playing rock in St. John’s, most recently with a band called Generations.
Playing in the States in the mid 1960s The Du-Cats were paired up with Bill Haley. "Bill Haley, he didn't even have a cent when we met him," said Jim Crewe. "He wasn't making any money. He was going to come to Newfoundland and spend a summer with us.
"We were planning to come back and spend July and August back here. At that time, he wasn't getting any work in the U.S., so he said he'd come down here and we'd play the theatres. I remember how old he was at the time - 39, going on 40. We thought - he's old!"
9. The Lovin’ Spoonful: Daydream (John Sebastian)
Daydream: Kama Sutra Records KLP 8051 mono
NYC
Joe Butler: drums
Zal Yanovsky: lead guitar
John Sebastian: guitar
Steve Boone: bass, piano
Produced by Erik Jacobsen, 1966
Recorded by Val ValentinDaydream was a huge hit song for the Spoonful in 1966. The song became so popular that it was recorded by a variety of artists, from Doris Day to Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings; Ricky Nelson, The Guess Who, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Chet Atkins, Art Garfunkel, Dino Desi & Billy and Vince Gill teamed up with Kermit The Frog. Nice royalties for John Sebastian.
10. Unit 4+2: Concrete And Clay (Parker / Moeller)
45 single: Decca Records F 12071 Appolo Music
Hertfordshire, UK
Brian William Parker: vocal, guitar (died playing tennis 2001)
Thomas John George 'Tommy' Moeller: lead vocal
David Ian 'Buster' Meikle: guitar
Peter Charles Moules: bass
Bob Henrit: drums
Russ Ballard: guitar
Produced by John L Barker, 1965Two recordings of this song were released at the same time: Unit 4+2 and Eddie Rambeau. Written by two members of the band, it was subsequently covered by Gary Lewis & The Playboys and Cliff Richard. Unit 4 featured Brian Parker, Tommy Moeller, David Meikle and Peter Moules who were joined at the recording session by Bob Henrit and Russ Ballard, thus the +2. This was their only big hit song. was the brother of Billy Moeller, who became public face of another one-hit wonder, Whistling Jack Smith, and took "I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman" to number five in 1967.
11. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers: Fading Away (Pete Rogers / Robert Rogers / Smokey Robinson / Warren Moore / William Robinson JR)
Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers: Tamla Motown Records GOS 930
Washington DC / Vancouver BC
Thomas "Tommy" Chong: guitar, vocals
Robert "Bobby" Taylor: lead vocals
Edward Patterson: guitar
Wes Henderson: bass
Robbie King: keyboards
Ted Lewis: drums
Produced by Barry Gordy Jr, 1968Robert Edward Taylor b. Washington DC Feb 18, 1934
As a young man, Taylor moved to New York City and sang in doo-wop groups with singers who later joined successful acts such as Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and Little Anthony and the Imperials. In fact, Little Anthony was obviously a huge influence on the vocal style that Taylor loved to use. He met a band with a few names, but based out of Calgary they called themselves The Calgary Shades and were totally interracial: black, white, aboriginal, Chinese. Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong among them, and Floyd Sneed (later drummer for Three Dog Night). With Taylor joining them they renamed themselves Little Daddy & The Bachelors. At Chong's suggestion they billed themselves as "Four Niggers and a Chink" (or, bowing to pressure, "Four N's and a C") before taking on the moniker Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers.
In 1965, Supremes members Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard heard the band and alerted Motown’s Berry Gordy, Jr. who brought the Vancouvers to Motown Records in Detroit, and signed them to his Gordy Records imprint. They recorded a few records then the band broke up. It was messy to say the least!
12. The Searchers: Love Potion #9 (Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)
45 single bw Hi-Heel Sneakers: Pye Records
Liverpool UK
Frank Allen: bass, lead vocals
John McNally: lead & rhythm guitar, vocals
Mike Pender: lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitar
Chris Curtis: drums, lead vocals
Produced by Tony Hatch, 1964
Recorded at Pye Studios, London
Released November 1964The Searchers: 1959 to March 31, 2019
Love Potion No. 9 was originally performed by the Clovers in 1959. It was also covered by the Tijuana Brass on their 1965 album Whipped Cream and Other Delights.
13. Cargo: Once A Proud Man (Norm Foster)
45 Single bw I Found A Way: Trend Records T-1005
Toronto ON
Mike Proudfoot: guitar
Norm Foster: drums
Ray Parker: organ
Garth Vogan: bass
Produced by Merv Buchanan, 1969This little-known Canadian band existed in the latter 1960s, recorded two albums of jazzy space-rock before calling it quits in the early 70s. Organ player Ray Parker later played with the Minglewood Band.
14. The Heart: Treat Me Bad (John Martin / John Doddridge)
45 single bw Help Me Down: Sir John A Records: SJA2
Almonte ON
John Martin (lead vocals)
David Liberty (lead guitars, vocals)
Hans Schleuter (bass)
John Doddridge (drums)
Gordon "Junior" Dix (guitar)
Peter Jermyn (organ)
Jamie Avis (guitar)
Produced by Ted Gerow 1967
The band Thee Deuces was originally formed in 1964 in Almonte south-west of Ottawa as an instrumental group who performed for nearly a full year at Inter-Provincial Hotel in Hull, Quebec as the house band.
By the summer of 1967, the band decided to update their name - The Heart - and their sound by adding former Luke & The Apostles keyboardist Peter Jermyn. But Jermyn would leave again in 1968 to form The Modern Rock Quartet with former Esquires members Doug Orr and Robert Coulthart. The Heart then recruited Corbin and Arseneault from The Five D for one more single called "Yesterday Was a Dream" on RCA at Christmas that year. The act lasted only until the Spring of 1969.
Sir John A Records - Named after Canada's first Prime Minister, was a label that existed for less than 2 years. Formed to celebrate Canada's centennial year in 1967 by local Ottawa personality John Pozer and musician/artist Ron Greene - the label tapped into some of the Ottawa area's hottest up and coming bands. The records issued on the label were very limited pressings of 100 - 500 quantities.15. The Beatles: The Word (Lennon / McCartney)
Rubber Soul: Capitol Records Canada T 2442
Liverpool UK
John Lennon: lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, bass, piano
George Harrison: harmony vocal, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, maracas
George Martin: harmonium solo
Produced by George Martin, 1965
Recorded 10 November 1965 EMI Abby Road Studios, London
Released 3 December 1965As in the last song by The Heart, Treat Me Bad had that off-beat guitar rhythm which can also be heard on The Word and the Kinks Party Line. Although the tempos are quite different, the use of this trick was also featured in The Beatles’ ‘She’s A Woman’.
16. The Kinks: Party Line (Ray and Dave Davies) 1966
Face To Face: Pye Records NPL-30092
London UK
Ray Davies: guitar, vocal
Dave Davies: guitar, lead vocal
Mick Avory: drums
Pete Quaiffe: bass
Produced by Shel Talmy, 1966
Recorded by Alan McKenzie & Irish, Pye Studios, London UK 23 October 1965 to 21 June 1966
Released October 28, 1966Dave Davies has said, "On 'Party Line' I got really stuck for lyrics; I just didn't know what to write. And Ray and I got together and busted out a few things on the piano and got a lot of ideas for it. So he helped me with the lyrics on that.” The man answering the phone in the sound effect is Grenville Collins, one of the band's managers at the time.
17. Love Sculpture: You Can’t Catch Me (Chuck Berry)
Forms And Feelings: Parrot Records 71035
Cardiff, Wales UK
Dave Edmunds guitar
John David - bass
Rob 'Congo' Jones drums
Produced by Dave Edmunds, Mike Finesilver & Pete Ker 1970Love Sculpture was founded in Cardiff in 1966 by former members of The Human Beans. They are best known for their 1968 novelty hit "Sabre Dance" by Aram Khachaturian, which reached No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1968 after receiving air play by British DJ John Peel. The US/Canadian version of their 2nd album, Forms And Feelings, also featured a recording of "Mars" from Gustav Holst's The Planets, but Holst's estate refused to license the tune for the UK version. Edmunds shortly went on to further number one hit success with "I Hear You Knocking", and collaborated heavily with ex-Brinsley Schwarz bassist Nick Lowe, eventually forming the band Rockpile with him.
"You Can't Catch Me" is a song written and recorded by Chuck Berry, released as a single in 1956.
18. Peter & Gordon: World Without Love (Paul McCartney)
45 Single bw If I Were You: Capitol Records 5175
London UK
Peter Asher, vocals
Gordon Waller, vocals
Geoff Loves Music
Produced by Norman Newell 1964
Recorded 21 January 1964 Abbey Road StudiosThe song was written by Paul McCartney. It was the first of many big hit songs for P&G. They also recorded “If I Fell,” “Nobody I Know”, “I Don't Want to See You Again”, and another McCartney song: Woman. Of course, Peter Asher’s sister Jane was Paul McCartney’s girlfriend at the time which helped the duo secure some pretty lucrative songs from The Beatles.
Hour Two
1. Lucky Seven: Rock And Roll Radio (Barry Ryan)
Get Lucky: i.e. records i.e.7
NYC
Kenny Margolis: vocal, accordion, keys
Borris Kinberg: percussion
Joe D’Astolfo: bass
Joe Geary: drums
Barry Ryan: vocal, guitar
Produced by Rick Borgia, 1987
Recorded at Noise New York
Mixed by Steve Savage, San FranciscoKenny Margolis is best known as the keyboard/accordion player for the popular and critically acclaimed rock band, Cracker. Lucky 7 was a side-project of Margolis and as far as I can tell, they only put out this one album. They were very popular in Canada, especially in Montreal where they wowed the crowd at the city’s Jazz Festival. Now Magazine in Toronto said of them: "No doubt about it, Lucky 7 is among the most fun, freewheeling live acts going."
2. The Meters: Come Together (Lennon / McCartney)
Kickback: Sundazed Records B00005A0BF
New Orleans LA
George Porter, Jr.: bass, vocals
Cyril Neville: congas, vocals
Joseph Modeliste: drums, vocals
Leo Nocentelli: guitar, vocals
Art Neville: keyboards, vocals
Produced by Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn, 1976
Compilation album produced 2001Although James Brown gets most of the credit, The Meters were also incredibly influential in forming the original funk music sound. The band got together in New Orleans in 1965 and stayed together until 1977. The band has been nominated four times for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2018 the band was presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Original member Art Neville died recently at the age of 81 on the 22nd of July, 2019. After the break-up, Art Neville continued his career as part of The Neville Brothers band while drummer Joseph Modeliste toured with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.
3. Bryan Adams: Any Time At All (Lennon / McCartney)
Tracks of My Years: Polydor Records 3795559-2
Kingston ON
Bryan Adams: vocal, acoustic guitar, bass
David Foster: keys
Gary Breit: keys
Keith Scott: electric guitar
Michael Thompson: electric guitar
Josh Freese: drums
Produced by David Foster, Bryan Adams, 20144. The Beatles: I’ll Cry Instead (Lennon / McCartney)
Something New: Capitol Records Canada 2108
Liverpool UK
John Lennon: double-tracked vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, tambourine
Paul McCartney: bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Produced by George Martin
Recorded at EMI Studios, London, June 1, 1964"I'll Cry Instead" was described by Cynthia Lennon as a cry for help, saying "It reflects the frustration John felt at that time. He was the idol of millions, but the freedom and fun of the early days had gone." John Lennon later said the line "A chip on my shoulder that's bigger than my feet" was an accurate indication of his feelings at the time. ‘Help’ was just around the corner.
5. Emmylou Harris: Here, There and Everywhere (Lennon / McCartney)
Elite Hotel: Reprise Records MS 2236
Birmingham AL
Emmylou Harris - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Brian Ahern - Acoustic Guitar, Bass
Mike Auldridge - Dobro
Byron Berline - Fiddle, Mandolin
Dianne Brooks - Backing Vocals
James Burton - Electric Guitar
Rodney Crowell - Electric Guitar,Vocals
Rick Cunha - Acoustic Guitar
Nick DeCaro - String Arrangements
Hank DeVito - Pedal Steel
Jonathan Edwards - Backing Vocals
Mike Auldridge - Dobro
Byron Berline - Fiddle, Mandolin
Dianne Brooks - Backing Vocals
James Burton - Electric Guitar
Rodney Crowell - Electric Guitar, Vocals
Rick Cunha - Acoustic Guitar
Nick DeCaro - String Arrangements
Hank DeVito - Pedal Steel
Jonathan Edwards - Backing Vocals
Amos Garrett - Electric Guitar
Emory Gordy, Jr. - Bass, Backing Vocals
Glen D. Hardin - Piano, Electric Piano,
Ben Keith - Pedal Steel
Bernie Leadon - Acoustic Guitar, Backing
Bill Payne - Piano
Herb Pedersen - Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Backing Vocals
Mickey Raphael - Harmonica
Linda Ronstadt - Backing Vocals
Fayssoux Starling - Backing Vocals
John Starling - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Ron Tutt - Drums
John Ware - Drums
Produced by Brian Ahearn, 1975
Recorded with the Enactron Truck, Los AngelesEmmylou Harris b. April 2, 1947 (age 71) Birmingham, Alabama
The Beatles recorded "Here, There and Everywhere" in June 1966, towards the end of the sessions for Revolver. Having recently attended a listening party for the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, McCartney drew inspiration from Brian Wilson's song "God Only Knows". McCartney claims to have written the song with Marianne Faithful in mind but considers Emmylou’s version to be the closest to what he had in mind.
Harris’s performance of "Here, There and Everywhere" entered the pop charts at #65. She also covered "For No One" on her ‘Pieces of the Sky’ LP from earlier in 1975. Elite Hotel won her a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance for a female. As you can obviously imagine, this song has been covered by a multitude of performers over the years.
6. The Flaming Groovies: Please Please Me Lennon / McCartney)
Jumpin’ In The Night: Sire Records SRK 6067
San Francisco CA
Cyril Jordan - guitar, vocals
Chris Wilson - guitar, vocals
Mike Wilhelm - guitar
George Alexander - bass
David Wright - drums
Produced by Cyril Jordan and Roger Bechirian, 1979
Recorded by Roger Becheirian at Eden Studios and Advision Studios, LondonThe Groovies began in 1965 by school friends and went from playing Kingston Trio songs to a Rolling Stones style band. They were signed to Epic Records in 1969 and got to open for The Stooges and Alice Cooper. Eventually they discovered what they called “power-pop” after working in the UK in the mid-70s. They were linked to the punk rock movement and took The Ramones over to England. One of the things that lead to the band’s break-up was covering Beatles’ songs but they covered them really well.
John Lennon claimed: "Please Please Me is my song completely. It was my attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song, would you believe it? I wrote it in the bedroom in my house at Menlove Avenue, which was my auntie's place". It was The Beatles second single.
7. The Diodes: Shapes Of Things To Come (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)
The Diodes: Columbia Records Canada PES 90441
Toronto ON
Paul Robinson: vocal
John Catto: guitar
Ian MacKay: bass
John Hamilton: keys
Mike Lengyell: drums
Produced by Bob Gallo, 1977
Recorded and mixed by Hayward Parrott at Manta Sound, TorontoAnother hard luck band who released two LPs for Columbia (and Epic) in the late 70s. They were dumped after their records didn’t sell very well, moved to England and breaking up by 1982. Formed by students from the Ontario College of Art, they played their first gig opening for Talking Heads in January 1977. Their cover of ‘Wild in the Streets’ sound track song, “Shape of Things To Come” (by Max Frost & The Troopers) was written by the Brill Building’s songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil "On Broadway" "Only in America" "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "We Gotta Get out of This Place".
8. David Celia: Smile, You’re Alive (David Celia)
Double Mind: Seedling Music 088907212580
Toronto
David Celia: guitars, vocals
Ed Pastorini: piano
Gary Taylor: drums
Denis Keldie: Hammond organ
Mike Evin: vocals
Produced by David Celia, 2015
Recorded live by Jeff McCulloch at Wellesley Sound, Toronto
Mastered by Andy Magoffin at The House of MiraclesOne of the things that I’ve loved about Toronto’s David Celia’s music is his whimsical way of putting subject matter together in a pop setting, utilizing strong melodies with great hooks and refrains. Much like The Beatles did! Perhaps that’s why he’s been so well received in Britain.
9. Robyn Hitchcock: Do Policemen Sing? (R Hitchcock)
Black Snake Diamond Role: Armageddon Records ARM4
London UK
Robyn Hitchcock - Piano, bass, lead guitar
Gary Barnacle - Saxophones
Matthew Seligman - Bass
Vince Ely - Drums
Kimberley Rew - Guitar
Produced by Pat Collier and Matthew Seligman, 1981
Recorded at The Barge, Alaska, and Music Works studiosRobyn Rowan Hitchcock (born 3 March 1953)
This is from Hitchcock’s first solo album after leaving The Soft Boys, whom he used on this album. Hitchcock claims that the inspiration for "Do Policemen Sing?" came when two of his friends were arrested and served cold beans for breakfast in their cell, and when he met a Welsh policemen choir in the next studio during a recording session for the Soft Boys. His humorous take on it is what makes it something special.
10. Klaatu: California Jam (Klaatu)
3:47 E.S.T.: Daffodil Records 9216-10054
Toronto ON
John Woloschuk: Vocals, Bass & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards
Dee Long: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Terry Draper: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Produced by Terry Brown & Klaatu, 1976
Recorded & engineered by Steve Vaughan & Terry Brown
Released: August 11, 1976Klaatu was a Canadian progressive rock band formed in 1973 and disbanded in 1982. They released five studio albums, the most famous of which is the 1976 debut 3:47 EST (AKA Klaatu), which, due to a rumor started by a DJ, was believed by some to be a front for new work by the Beatles. The album's artwork contained no credits for the performers, and there were at times vocal similarities with Lennon and McCartney. Klaatu was named after Michael Rennie's character in the classic science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Ringo Starr’s fourth solo album, Goodnight Vienna, which features Ringo on the front cover posing as the alien Klaatu.
11. Fire Engines: New Thing In Cartons (Burn / Henderson / Main / Slade)
Lubricate Your Living Room: Pop-Aurel Records ACC 001
Edinburgh, Scotland
Russell Burn: drums
David Henderson: guitar, vocals
Graham Main: bass
Murray Slade: guitar
Produced by Bob Last, 1980
Recorded 5 October 1980The heyday of this band was between 1979-1981. The band split up on 31 December 1981. In August 2017 the band reformed to play a benefit.
12. Barney Bentall & Legendary Hearts: Something To Live For (Barney Bentall / G Fraser)
Barney Bentall & The Legendary Hearts: Epic Records: BPEC 80131
Vancouver BC
Barney Bentall: guitar, vocal
Cam Bowman: keys, vocals
Jack Guppy: drums
Barry Muir: bass
Colin Naime: guitar
Produced by David Tickle, 1988
Recorded and mixed by David Tickle at Mushroom Studios, Vancouver13. Psychedelic Furs: Here Come Cowboys (R Butler / T Butler)
Mirror Moves: Columbia Records AL 39278
London UK
Richard Butler: vocals
John Ashton: guitars
Tim Butler: bass
Keith Forsey: drums
Mars Williams: sax
Produced by Keith Forsey, 1984
Recorded at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles & Electric Ladyland, NYC
Recorded by Dave Wittman & Gary Helman
Mixed by Dave Witman & Carol Casiero at Record Plant, NYC
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYCOriginal and yet unique in their sound and approach, The Furs music doesn't seem to age. Or if it does, it ages really well! A Brit band's take on Cowboys is always intriguing. Sort of like a Toronto band singing about a California Jam.
14. The Haunted: Searching for My Baby (Arthur Lee)
45 Single bw Searching For My Baby: Trans World Record Co. TW 1674
Montreal QC
Bob Burgess (lead vocals)
Pierre Faubert (guitar)
Glen Holmes (bass)
Peter Jugen (guitar)
Peter Symes (drums)
Produced by L McKelvey & H Squires, 1967..........
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University of Toronto Radio Inc. Memorial University, St. John's NL Radio Bell Island NL Radio VGR Thetord UK Mondays 12 noon - 2pm ET Tuesdays 10-12 pm NT Tuesdays at 8-10 pm NT Tues 21:30 - 23:30 GMT ..
Hanover / Grey Co. ON Bonne Bay, Newfoundland Corner Brook, Newfoundlan Sundays 3-5 pm, Mondays 10-12 pm ET Tuesdays 9-11 pm NT Thursdays 2-4 pm NT ...........
Ferryland NL Lower Sackville NS Sun 8:30-10:30 pm NT Sun 5-7 pm AT
