Poppy Family, The

This Canadian psychedelic pop group initially comprised Susan Pesklevits and Terry Jacks (who married in 1967) and guitarist Craig McCaw. Satwant Singh was later introduced on tablas (a type of drum from India) and the Poppy Family’s unique sound was complete.

The group released their first album, Which Way You Goin’ Billy?, in 1969. The title track reached #1 in Canada and #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album also produced the single That’s Where I Went Wrong (#9 in Canada and #29 in the US).

Their second (and last) album, Poppy Seeds (1971) was recorded with studio musicians after Satwant and Craig both quit the band following their engagement at Expo ’70 in Japan. Terry’s participation as a musician and singer also became limited.

Poppy Seeds contained the hits Where Evil Grows (#6 in Canada, #45 in the US), Good Friends? (#10 in Canada), No Good to Cry (#8 in Canada) and I’ll See You There.

The Poppy Family name was dropped in 1972 and Terry and Susan recorded solo albums. Terry Jacks had an international hit in 1974 with the single Seasons in the Sun, an English-language adaptation of the 1961 song Le Moribond by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Susan and Terry Jacks separated in 1973.

Susan Jacks died on 25 April 2022 in a hospital in British Columbia while awaiting a kidney transplant. She had been suffering from kidney disease. She was 73.

Susan Jacks (Pesklevits)
Vocals
Terry Jacks
Guitar, vocals
Craig McCaw
Guitar, sitar
Satwant Singh
Tablas, drums

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