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
Video
Related Posts
Raspberries, The The Raspberries, a Cleveland-based band, summed up everything classic power pop was about (before the term was even being used); simplicity, Beach Boys-esque harmonies,…
Tages Tages were a Swedish rock and roll/psychedelic/folk band formed in the early 60s near Gothenburg. The band released a number…
Neu! Formed in 1971 in Dusseldorf, this archetypal Kraütrock band was actually a duo comprising guitar wiz Michael Rother and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Klaus Dinger,…
Poco Poco was formed in 1968 by ex-Buffalo Springfield members Jim Messina and Richie Furay. They were joined by multi-instrumentalist Rusty…
Neon Philharmonic, The After the inspired fantasy of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the general perception was that any vaguely connected series…
Charlatans, The The Charlatans were the city slickers in residency at The Red Dog Saloon in Nevada in the summer of 1965. They…
Allusions, The The Allusions were one of the most stylish and inventive of Sydney's 1960s beat groups. The band issued six singles;…
Cyrkle, The Formed in 1961 by a group of students at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, The Cyrkle started as a frat band…
