Previously known as The Staccatos, Ottawa’s Five Man Electrical Band modelled their sound on the melodic stylings of The Beach Boys and The Beatles, even going so far as recording an almost note-perfect cover of the latter’s You’re Gonna Lose That Girl.
In their 1966 – 1968 prime, they churned out a superb string of melody-drenched singles and regional hits, including Half Past Midnight (a swirl of strings and cool, breathless harmony) and Last Time I Saw Memphis (a country rocker worthy of inclusion on a Buffalo Springfield album).
Their self-titled debut album (1969) made them one of the biggest pop acts in their native Canada but – talented as they were – they were lost amongst the pack of similar 60s harmony pop combos.
They scored one Top 10 hit with Signs in 1971, and eventually called it a day in 1975.
Les Emmerson
Vocals, guitar
Brian Rading
Bass
Ted Gerow
Keyboards
Rick Bell (Belanger)
Drums, vocals
Mike Bell (Belanger)
Drums, vocals
