Press Release: Go here
Title: The Big Story of Small Potatoes, Niagara's Rock Music History 1964 - 1974Note: The title is a reference to the celebrity of Niagara's scene compared to New York's or London's and is in no way intended as a slight toward the people in this documentary.
Genre: Documentary, Rockumentary
Play Time: Just under 1 hour
Logline: A portrait of the adventurous teenagers of the lost scene, told from the perspective of those same teens 40 years later.
Plot: Filmmaker Paul Miil explores the roots of the lost music scene of Niagara, circa 1964-1974.
Awards: Hasn't Won an Oscar for Best Documentary
Release Date: Released for online sales Friday, November 13, 2009.
Parental Guide: Suitable for all audiences
Trivia:
Bob Zbigniew Styrna, a guitarist from this scene joined Bob Seger's band "The Bob Seger System" in 1969-1970 during the "Rambling Gambling Man" period.
Bill Dillon, a guitarist from this scene later played with Bob Dylan, Ian Thomas, Ronnie Hawkins, The Pretenders. He's also done session work for Sarah McLachlan, Counting Cows, Daniel Lanois, Robbie Robertson, Edie Brickell, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and hundreds of other studio sessions at the famous Grant Avenue Studio and elsewhere.
Dave VanDuzen, a guitarist from this scene later played with Motherload (1971) and Ronnie Hawkins (early 70's). While with Hawkins, Dave played with Frank Zappa, Gordon Lightfoot, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, David Clayton Thomas, Burton Cummings, Spencer Davis and others.
Glen Gratto, a drummer from this scene, toured with Bull Rush, Mohogany Rush and Rush.. all on the same bill. Glen later played with Lee Aaron, Frank Soda and a bunch of other cool bands like the Madcats with Grant Fullerton (formerly of Lighthouse - Listen to Harry McNulty cover Lighthouse's sunny days)
Gary Storin, a drummer from this scene, later joined The Stampeders... you know the "Sweet City Woman" dudes. Gary also introduced Paul Miil to the music of Tower of Power... great band.
Neil Peart, a drummer from this scene, later joined Rush.
Jimmy Johnson, a tech from this scene, went on to work with Rush, Styx, Ted Nugent and virtually every guitar icon.. see www.gorgomyte.com. Jimmy's nick name was/is Gorgo.
Ronn Metcalfe left the big band music scene in New York city to start a scene in St. Catharines, Niagara. Count Basie later expressed regret that Metcalfe had quit touring and returned to "St. Somewhere" (meaning St. Catharines). Metcalfe was also cronies with Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and a bunch of other big cheese musicians.
A couple of Niagara bands in this documentary were recorded in New York and Toronto by Jack Richardson and Bob Ezrin. Jack Richardson produced The Guess Who, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Max Webster, Moxy and others. Jack Richardson's son, Garth, has gone on to produce bands such as Nickelback, Hedley, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and a bunch more. Bob Ezrin later recorded such bands as Pink Floyd, Kiss and Peter Gabriel as well as Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction and The Deftones.
Interviewees & Researchees: some on-camera and some off-camera.
Alex Piccirillo Arne Nilsen Bill Bruin Bob Keep Bob Luciani Brendan O'Rourke Brian Collins Brian Daniels Brian O'Mara Carrie Anderson Chris Irwin Danny Taylor David Fitzpatrick Dayo Ingoldsby Denis Brander Derek Simon Don Campbell Doug Lauder Ed Zalski Felix Elia Fraser Loveman Garry Wirt Gary Luciani Gary Storin Glen Gratto Greg Fitzpatrick Greg Ouzunoff Harry McNulty Heather Lindal Jack JohnsonJamie Rolston Jerry Salfi Jim Ugulini Jimmy Johnson Joe Colonna Joe Szilagy John Finley John Stimac John Young Jon Libera Lynda Johnson Mark Campbell Mark Lauder Mike Lakeit Nan Metcalfe Omer Langlois Patrick Bear Maloney Paul Dickinson Paul Riches Paul Rose Rick Leather Rick Ostanek Rick Rochon Rob Monroe Rod Morrison Steve Doede Stew Farago Sue Campagna Ted Mouradian Terry Smith Terry Walsh Victoria Libera Wally Tomczuk Walt Wasylowich
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (1.78:1), Widescreen
DVD info: NTSC, region free, 720 x 480, MPEG2 (m2v), colour
Sound Mix: 2 track digital stereo, 48kHz, AC-3/2
Filming Locations: St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Fonthill, Thorold, Thorold South, Burlington, Welland, Hamilton, and Streetsville, all in Ontario, Canada
Other Research Locations : Grimsby, Toronto, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Newfoundland, New York, New Hampshire, Las Vegas, California, Kentucky, England, and Points Unknown
Song Clips: Most are rare recordings, some live, some off the floor.
"Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" written by Sholom Secunda, performed by The Ronn Metcalfe Orchestra
"You and Me and Mexico" written by Larry Evoy, performed by Edward Bear, performed by Harry McNulty
"Don't Answer Me" written by Zambreni-Enriquez-Callender, performed by The British Modbeats
"Living in a Dream World" written by Dennis Walsh, performed by The Evil
"A Different Thought" written by Terry Walsh, performed by The Evil
"Children in Love" written by Omer Langlois, performed by The Kidds
"Giant Killer" written by JR Flood, performed by JR Flood
"They Can't Tell" written by Steve Hogg, performed by The Looking Glass
"Judgement Day" written by Greg Fitzpatrick, performed by Nucleus
"Bring It Down Front" written by Bobby Weinstein & Eddie Reeves, performed by Jon and Lee and the Checkmates
"Belbeukus" written by Danny Weis & John Finley, performed by Rhinoceros
"Lifetime" written by Colin Carter, performed by BullRush
"Four Day Creep" written by Ida Cox, performed by Hush
"Tea on Westchester" written & performed by Joe Szilagy
"Night Crawler" written & performed by Joe Szilagy
Incomplete Rough Band List of the 1960's - 1970's Niagara Scene:
Note: The list below is an integration of the notes, articles and memories of dozens of people thinking back 40 years.. and so no warranty to its accuracy is made. Regarding the dates: give a tolerance of plus or minus a year or two and you should be ok. Think of it as rough notes... research in progress. Not all bands are discussed in the documentary, for obvious time reasons.
The Continentals 1961-1962 (for a variety show at the Collegiate)
- Rick Jones - singer
- Terry Walsh - guitar
- Grieg Foster - guitar
- Mike Peets - piano
- Bill Hendry - drums
- Sieg Pedde - guitar
The Terrytones circa 1964 Ronn Metcalfe creation (became the Court Jesters @ the Castle)
- Don Retzik – drums
- Terry Kelly – bass
- Gary Clark – guitar
- Wayne Malton – piano
- Kerry Cornelius – saxThe Marquis circa 1961 Welland
- Steve Burnside - lead/rhythm guitar & vocals
- Mike Addario - bass
- Ron Sacco - drumsThe Stingrays circa early 1960's Welland
- Al Shemko - lead/rhythm guitar & vocals
- George Racine - bass & vocals
- Larry Labatt - saxophone & vocals
- Aden Smith - drums
The Stingrays circa 1963 or 64 Welland
- Brian Dorsey - singer
- ? - bandBrian Dorsey and Lizards circa 1964 welland
- Brian Dorsey - singer
- ? - bandThe Sinners circa 1965-66 Welland
- Andre Germain - lead guitar
- Ritchie Gauthier - vocals/rhythm guitar
- Mike Weaver - drums/vocals (deceased 1971)
- Al Bartok - bass (deceased 1991)
- Glen Boscei - bass/vocals (deceased 2007)
- Jack Schaeffer - keyboards (deceased 1991)
- Dave Pine - lead/rhythm guitar & vocals (deceased 2005)Ugly Roomers circa 1967- 68 Welland band (hendrix/cream style then morphed to R&B Otis etc)
- Richard Hales - vocals
- Raphael Belevedere - organ
- Michael Davis - guitar
- Gerald Manning - drums
o replaced by Charles Beaver
- Chuck Lee - bass
The Vitrones circa ?
- Fern Cout - ?
- Larry Downing - drums
- ? - bandWilly and the Wild Cats circa pre 1963
- Bill Horwood – vocals
- Dave Jarvis – guitar
- ? - bandThe Serfs circa 1964 St Catharines (micro band)
- Bob Morrison – drums
- Jacques Brisbois – singer
- Brian Gaudette – bass
- Paul Dickinson – guitarBare Necessity circa 1964 St Catharines (micro band)
- Mike Morretto – singer
- Bob Morrison – piano
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- Larry Gains – bass
- Brian Griffen-drums
Oliver Twist circa 1964 or 65 Thorold (micro band)
- Larry Gains – Bass
- Denis Enright – singer
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- ? - drumsThe Last Generation 1965
- Brian Taylor - lead guitar/singer
- Wil De Clercq - rhthm guitar
- Mark Corman - bass
- Duncan Doan - drums
The Wild Set circa late 1966 - 1967
- Brian Taylor – singer
- Wil De Clercq –rhythm/lead guitar
- Mark Corman – bass
- Dave Torosian– keys
- Dennis Walsh - lead guitar/violin (joined in '67)The Vell Tones circa 1966-67 (band dissolved and reforemed as The Movement)
- ? Gail Fenton – vox
- ? saxplayer
- Mike Peets- keyboard
- John Wegener - guitar
- Fred Wegener - bass
Eternal Triangle circa 1967 (Lakeport High gig) (micro band)
- Don Brunt - piano
- Don Tees - saxaphone
- Neil Peart - drums
The Distortions circa 1968
- Danny Backus – lead guitar
- Al Sharky - rhythm
- ? - bandBB and the Bandits circa June 1965 (for the summer)
- Brian Baker (BB)- singer
- Joe Colonna - bass/vox (joined later, but prior to joining the Modbeats)
- Pete Dowan - guitar /vox
- Brian Master - drums
- Brian Augerman - guitar
The Outcasts circa 1965-66 St Catharines
- Ken Roberts – guitar
- Bill Mason – rhythm & 12 string
- Dave Tymosie – bass
- Doug Selland – singer
- Denis Brander -drumsThe Indigos circa 1965
- Mike Hamilton – ?
- Terry Walsh – guitar (played w this band at the upstairs lounge of the Roller Rink (Lincoln))Riot Squad circa 1965-66 falls
- Ken Olsen – guitar
- Frank Ahmen –guitar
- Paul McKimmie –bass
- Rob Wilkinson – singer
- Doug Lauder – drums
- John Holmes – guitar (practiced with the band)
- Paul Newton – manager
Graeme and the Waifers circa 1966-ish came over from Edmonton in 66-ish
First psychedelic band in St. Catharines
- Graeme ? - singer (did theme song for news on City TV?)
- Jeff Eyre – drums (brother to Malcolm Eyre, singer from The Evil/Rainy Fields?)
- Donny Barber - ?
- Brendan O'Rourke - Agent?Out of Order circa 1966-68 St. Catharines (band in a bad car accident May 13, 1967)
- Nick Conju - vox
- Stan Kuriata – drums
- Gary Hammond – drums
- Ken Maggs - rythm guitar
- Brian Gagnon – lead guitar
- Rick (aka Ryk, Racoon) Rice – bass
The English Coggs circa 1966 falls band (micro band)
- Paul Zalusky - singer
- Rob Monroe – drums
- Rick Peel – guitar
- Tim Healey – guitar
- Bob Matoff - bass
Pinkerton Colours circa 1967-69 (falls band) Turned into GrayMalkin
- Jerry Salfi – singer
- Frank Ahman – lead guitar
- Rick Peel – rhythm guitar
- Paul McKimmie – bass
o Replaced by Brian Billing - bass
- Doug Lauder - drums
o Replaced by Rob Monroe – drums
- - Mark Campagna – equipment man
- John Dobrowolski – equipment man
- Paul Newton – Manager
- Image Artists booked them
Graymalkin circa 1969-1970 (falls band) Turned into the second? incarnation of The Majority
- Mark Campagna - singer
- Frank Ahman – guitar
- Rick Peel –rhythm guitar
- Brian Billing – bass
- Rob Monroe – drums
With the addition of Bob Keep, Graymalkin became another version of The Majority
Mumblin Sumpthin circa 1966-1967 (St. Catharines micro-band)
- Eddie Osowiec - rhythm guitar
- Mike Difabio -bass (later played with Australian Brandy Company & Brandy Brass
- Rick Caton - singer
- Bob Kozak - lead guitar
- Bob Stacey - drums
o Neil Peart – drums (replaced Bob Stacey 1967)- Jim Boese - road manager (ie he had a station wagon)
Strength circa 1967-68 (micro-band, ie short-lived.)
- Joe Szilagy – guitar
- Tim Kilgour - singer
- Bob Thomas – drums
- Chuck Lee – bass
- Wayne Latimore – singer (sometimes)
- Pat Tate –trumpet
- ? - sax
Speed circa 1968
- RC Skinner – singer
- Howard Graham - guitar
- Joe Szilagy - guitar
- Alan Hicks - bass
- Keith Arendse - singer/congasFetus circa 1973-74-ish
- Keith Arendse - singer/congas
- Terry O'Brien - bass (then guitar when "Dave ? from Hamilton" joined to play bass)
- Gerald O'Brien - keyboards
- Joe Morlechetti - drummer
- Joe Szilagy - guitar
The Esquires circa 1965-66
- Wayne King - drums
- Norm Crawford - bass/singer
- Joe Hood - rhythm guitar/singer
- Wayne Dow - lead guitar
Wayne and the Younger Generation circa 1966-67 (falls band) was called The Devil's Diciples early 1966
- Felix Elia – rhythm guitar/singer
- Wayne Latimore – singer
- Bob Keep – organ/singer
- Jack Goldfinch – original drummer (quit the band)
o Replaced by Neil Peart in 1967
- Derek Simon – lead guitar (aka Rick Simon)
- Flower (Fiore) Vescio – bass
o Replaced by Wayne King –bass
- Don King – sax & trumpet (only once)at the rink (also a roady)
- Doug Filer- horn (only once) at the rink
- - Frank Vescio (Fiore’s older brother) – manager/bookings
- Jimmy Johnson – equipment man
- Later someone else too – equipment man
o Probably Barney Cibic?
Turned into The Younger Generation
The Younger Generation circa 1967
- Felix Elia – rhythm guitar/singer
- RC Skinner – singer
- Bob Keep – keyboard/singer
- Neil Peart – drummer
- Derek (Rick) Simon – lead guitar
- Wayne King – bass
- Jimmy Johnson – equipment/sound manThe Majority circa 1967 (St. Catharines band, formed from the Village Riffs & The Movement)
managed/agent Ronn Metcalfe)
- Mike Peets - organ
- Tim Tickner - drums (Stoney Creek)
- Bob Zbigniew Styrna - lead guitar (Grimsby)
- Steve Hogg - bass (Grimsby)
- Gail Fenton - singer (Fonthill)
The Majority circa 1967- Dec 69 (falls/St. Catharines band) From The Younger Generation
Ronn Metcalfe creation.
- R.C. Skinner - singer
- Bob Keep – keyboard
- Neil Peart – drums
- Wayne King – bass (played w Ronny Hawkins, w brother Kenny King)
- Derek Simon – original lead guitar (left the band at an early break up)
- Felix Elia – guitar
o replaced by Terry Walsh (late 1968) - guitar
o replaced by Joe Szilagy (later 1968-late 69) - guitar
The Majority –Jan 1970 to end of sept 1970 From GrayMalkin, Turned into Titanic
- Bob Keep – keyboard (took over singing end of July 1970)
- Mark Campagna – singer (left July 1970)
- Frank Ahman – guitar (leaves July 1070)
- Rick Peel – rhythm (leaves July 1970)
- Brian Billing – bass (takes over guitar Aug 1970)
- Rob Monroe – drums
- Mark Lauder (aka Fred Zepplin) – equipment man
- Jimmy Johnson – tech/equipment man
- Don King- helped Jimmy occasionally
- Barney Cibic – equipment man –once in a blue moon at first then he was with the new majority.The Majority circa (after 18th century drawing room) 1970 -1974 (released a couple singles 45rpms)
- Pete Dowan - guitar/key/vox
- Rick Jones - drums
- Len Walker - key
- plus 2 more guysDavid circa 1970 (after Skinner’s version of The Majority for a couple gigs… micro-band)
- RC Skinner – singer
- Joe Szilagy – guitar
- Wayne King – bass
- Neil Peart - drums
Titanic Oct 1970- July 1971 (falls band)
- Mark Campagna – singer – died March 1, 1999
- Rick Peel – guitar (leader of the band) gig finder – died sept 1989
- Brian Billing – original bass (until Feb 1971)
o Replaced by Greg Ouzunoff –bass (Feb 1971 to April 1971)
o Replaced by ? (see note) for 4 gigs
- Paul Rose – original drummer (leaves April 1971)
o Replaced by ? (see note) for 4 gigs*Note: Paul Rose and Greg Ouzunoff were replaced by a Brian and Steve.. don’t know last names or who played which instrument. Brian and Steve’s first gig was in May 1971 @ Garden City Arena, they “backed up” Lighthouse and Fludd. The band played that gig for free. The band played the Welland Arena, Virgil Arena, a high school and grade school before dissolving in end of June 1971. Re Mark Campagna’s notes.
- Robbie Irving – manager
- Jim Croteau – manager
- Mark Lauder(Fred Zepplin) equipment man
- Jimmy Johnson –sound/equipment manReformed in Jan 1973 – May 1973 as Titanic
- Paul Rose – drums
- Greg Ouzunoff – bass
- Dave Soave – guitar
- Tim Kilgore – sax, piano, harmonica & vox??????????? (Rose can't remember the name) circa early 1970's Niagara Falls area(?)
- Rick Peel - guitar
- Dave Soave - guitar (from Orange Forest)
- Alex Piccirillo - vox
- Paul Rose - drums
- Dave Mullen - bassThe Mandates circa 1966 - 1968/9 St. Catharines band
- Andy Sepa - lead guitar
- Bob Munoz - rhythm guitar
- Dave Mullen - bass
- Mike Vancleef - drums
- Brian Armstrong - organ & drums
Managed by Herb Prosky
Doc Savage circa summer 1970 (from The Standard)(St.kitt/falls band) formed from The Fraser Loveman Group
- RC Skinner – singer
- Nick Urech – bass
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Terry Walsh – guitar
Managed by Brian TaylorDoc Savage circa late 1970-71
- R.C. Skinner – singer – got the gigs/pseudo manager
- Joe Szilagy – guitar
- John Dobrowolski –bass
o Replaced by Greg Ouzunoff –bass – telecaster (joined May 71- left July 71)
- Rob Monroe – drums
Turned into a late version of JR Flood (for a few months according to Ouzo's books) then DemianDoc Savage circa July 1971 (transitional band between Doc Savage and JR Flood/Demian)
- RC Skinner - singer
- Joe Szilagy - guitar
- Greg Ouzunoff - bass
- Glen Gratto - drums
- Bob Morrison - organ
Demian Dec 1971 – 72 (was JR Flood becomes BullRush)
- RC Skinner- singer
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Greg Ouzunoff-bass
o Replaced by Brian Gagnon-bass (joins Feb 1972)
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- Bob Morrison – keyboards
- Arne Nilsen – equipment man
- Jimmy Johnson- equipment man
Lost RC Skinner and became Bullrush
The Brogues circa 1965-68 (St. Catharines band) Turned into JR Flood
They would watch through the window as The Evil practiced down the street (Frederick St. in Western Hill)
from 1965-66: Denis Morris band
- Wally Tomczuk – bass
- Greg Hildebrand – drums
- Paul Martineau – guitar(practiced @ his parents basement in Thorold)
- Kevin Essen – keyboard
- Jim Acker – singer #2 (review)
- Gary Luciani – singer #1 (review)
- Jim Ugulini – guitar
- Gino Mastracci – manager for a while
- Sam Walters – became managerThe Brogues from 1966-68: (sept 25, 1968 still the brogues)
- Wally Tomczuk – bass (Tomczuk, Morrison, Luciani & O’Mara went to school together)
- Bob Morrison – keyboards
- Paul Dickinson – guitar (practiced at his place)
- Greg Hildebrand – drums
o Replaced by Doug Lauder - drums (Doug suggested the name JR Flood)
- Gary Luciani – singer
- Jim Ugulini – rhythm guitar
- Arne Nilsen - equipment
- Brian O’Mara – manager/gig finder
JR Flood circa 1968- July 1971… Aug 1971 – Dec 1971(different lineup) (St. Catharines/Falls band)
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- Bob Morrison “Bear”- keyboards
- Doug Lauder – drums
o Replaced by Neil Peart in 1970 - drums
- Wally Tomczuk – bass (leaves with Peart and Gary in July 71)
- Rod Morrison – singer – (owned recording studio in falls on Stanley-“Earthland Studio” became “Rainbow Studio”)
o Replaced by Gary Luciani (sings on Demo)
- Brian O’Mara – manager
- Arne Nilsen – Equipment man
- Roy Arbuthnot – assistant to Arne Nilsen
- Fred Zepplin (Mark Lauder, Doug Lauder’s brother) –equipment manJR Flood Aug 1971 – December 1971 (this post Tomczuk/Peart/Luciani ver. renames in Dec 71 as Demian[according to Ouzo's books])
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- Greg Ouzunoff – bass
- RC Skinner – vox
- Bob Morrison - organ
The Rack circa 1967-68 could'a been a little longer (Thorold) (becomes Hush)
- Rick Leather –guitar/singer
- Paul Lauzon – guitar
- Bob Luciani – bass/singer
- Brian Macintosh – drummer
Flight circa 1972 (bar band)
- Gary Luciani - singer
- Rick Palooty – drums ( was in Ashure)
- Frank Beauty – flute
- Billy ? - sax
- Roger Picken - guitar
- Joe Colonna – bass (played bar bands during summer holidays while in university)
Hush circa summer 1969-71
(dissolves & reforms a few times)
- Harry McNulty – singer
- Jamie Rolston – drums
- Brian Collins – guitar
- Ken Roberts – bass
o Replaced by Rick (Zak) Rochon – bass (for a couple months in late 1970-71)
- Ian Morrison - guitar (joined late 1969)
- Sam Walton – keyboard (joined sometime after Ian)
o Replaced by Paul Grekko – keyboards (for a month or so)
Hush circa 1971-73
- Harry McNulty-singer & bass (leaves in 1973)
o Replaced by Gary Luciani-singer
- Jamie Rolston – drums
o replaced by Gary Storin ?
o Replaced by Neil Peart (1973)
- Brian Collins – guitar
- Bob Luciani - bass
- Rick Leather-guitar(shortly after Harry leaves, Rick leaves)
o Replaced by Paul Lauzon - guitarHush circa 1974 (for a couple months)after last breakup, reforms as Starlord (minus Bob & Neil. Brings Harry back and sings a review with Gary Luciani)
- Gary Luciani –singer
- Neil Peart – drums
- Bob Luciani – bass
- Brian Collins – guitar
- Paul Lauzon –guitarSpindrift 1973 falls band
- Rick Leather - guitar
- Rizzo Vetrone – keyboards
- Mark pendergrast - drums
- Tom Joles - bassFat Rabbit circa 1971-73 (Thorold)
- Paul Lauzon – guitar
- Paul Muelli – keyboard / singer
- Alte Lawson – bass
- Frank Musso - drums
Several line-up changes then
- Greg Fraser – guitar
- Mike Martin – bass
- Alte Lawson – guitar
- Paul Muelli – keyboardMarcus ? 1974 - ? Fat Rabbit broke up, regrouped after Hush as Marcus, Diamond, Fat Rabbit
- Alte Lawson- guitar
- Paul Muelli- singer/keyboard
- Frank Musso – drums
- Bob Luciani – bassPermanent Damage circa 1972-74
- Keith Ardense - singer
- Boris Kaminsky - bass
- band? (litany of other crazies...)
Iron Candle circa 1967-68? St. Catharines
- Mike Gorgochuk – guitar
- ? - bandThe Innersounds circa ? Falls
- Robin Becket – singer
- Fred Woods – guitar
- Vito ? - drums
The Majestics circa ? falls
- ?
The Spartans circa 1972-? Welland
- Ivan Vachon – bass
- Lindsay ? – keyboards
- Gates Grenier – bass (leader of the band)
The Lin-Tels circa late 1963 became the British Modbeats
- Rob Jeffery – drums
- Mike Gorgochuk – guitar
- Marty Borsash(sp?) - rhythm
- Fraser Loveman – singer
Played Lincoln Centre (rolling stones covers)
The British Modbeats circa 1964-67
Version One: 1964-67
- Fraser Loveman – singer (left and started Fraser Loveman Group 1967)
o Was replaced in 1967 by Alex Piccirillo from Giraffe(falls)
- Joe Colonna – bass (joined 1965, added much needed bass)
- Marty Borsash (sp) – guitar
o Replaced early on by Greig Foster – lead guitar
- Rob Jeffreys – drums
- Mike Gorgochuk – guitar also in Iron Candle?
- Barb Arndt – go go dancer
- Pam Todd – go go dancer
- Stan Klees – produced first album
- James Loveman was manager 1964-66
- Brendan O’Rourke initial manager for 6 months,
- Garnet McKewen - road manager/security
The British Modbeats Version Two (before Sept 2) 1967- (April) 1968 Became The Looking Glass 1968-69
- Joe Colonna-bass
- Greig Foster – lead guitar
- Mike Gorgochuk – guitar
o Replaced by Roger Picken-guitar
- Robbie Jeffrey –drums
o Replaced by David Papernick - drums
- Alex Piccirillo-singer from Giraffe (they changed his name to Alex Purcell)
Fraser Loveman Group circa autumn 1967-summer 68
- Fraser Loveman – singer
- John Ord – keyboards
- Dave Burt – lead guitar
- Mike Gorgichuck – 2nd lead guitar
- Ron Knappet – drums
- Doug Carter – bass
Became Village STOP circa 1968-69 Hamilton which turned back into
Fraser Loveman Group circa 1970 St. Catharines first, then Toronto
- Fraser Loveman – singer/tambourine
- Terry Walsh – guitar
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Paul Marcoux –guitar
- Don Couchi –bass (sat in on Wayne and the Younger Generation)
o Replaced by Nick Urech – bass
Terry, Glen & Nick left and formed Doc Savage 1970 (late summer 1970)
The Looking Glass circa 1968-69 St. Catharines Ronn Metcalf creation after Modbeats 2 ended
Metcalf wanted a ‘show’ band, choreographed big moves
Owned by CFTO, John Pozer, paid the band a (minimal) base salary
- Alex Piccirillo (Purcell) – singer (showman)
- Joe Colonna – bass
- Dave Papernick – drums (became leader)(superior drummer-any style)
- Stew Farago – singer/keyboard (Hammond M & M3)
- Terry Walsh – guitar (for a couple months, left late 1968/early 1969)
o Replaced by Steve Hogg-guitar(then bass after Joe left)(Steve was from Scarlet Wizard)
- Dave VanDuzen – lead guitar (from Grimsby Scarlet wizard)
The Looking Glass circa 1969-70 moved to Hamilton, house-band for ‘Thirsty Eye’ strip-bar
- Stew Farago – singer
- Steve Hogg-bass
- Dave VanDuzen-guitar
- Dave Papernick-drums
Scarlet Wizard circa 1965-66-ish Grimsby band (before The Looking Glass)
- Dave VanDuzen – guitar/vox
- Steve Hogg – guitar/bass/vox (played with Ian Thomas)
- Tim Tickner – drums/vox (jingle writer)
- Bob Zbigniew Styrna -rhythm guitar (played with Bob Seger 1969-70)
Village Riffs circa 1965-ish Grimsby band (named after Toronto's Yorkville Village) (before Scarlet Wizard)
- Svend Nauman - bass (from Beamsville)
- Don Maitland - drums (Beamsville)
- Bob Styrna - lead guitar
- Dan Basnett - rhythm guitar
- Murray Bowman - vocals/blues harp (mentor for the Grimsby scene)
The Sashays circa 1965
- Alex Piccirillo - singer
- ? - bandThe Morticians circa 1965 first version of band St. Catharines (used hearse for gear transport)
(originals: Mortified, Liquid Skin)
- Gary Wirt – bass
- Frank Stull – lead guitar
- Walt Wasylowich – rhythm guitar (front man)
- Herb Beedel –drums
Managed by Harry Smolate & Steve WirtThe Morticians circa 1966-67 Alex joined and the line-up changed replace Walt.
- Alex Piccirillo- singer
- Frank Stull – guitar
- Don Brownlee –drums
- Doug Williams –bass
- John Hestling? –guitar (Henning?)
- Scott Hurtley - piano
Giraffe circa 1967 from the last version of The Morticians (ask Alex re: lineup)
- Alex Piccirillo – singer
- Doug Williams – bass
- John Hestling-guitar
- Don Brownlee – drums
Lenny Martin and The Fugitives circa July 1965 - November 1965 (Castle house band, Lenny was signer with Metcalfe's big band)
- Lenny Martin - singer
- Gary Clark - l. guitar/vox
- Pete Dowan - r. guitar/ vox
- Terry Walsh - bass
- Larry Reid - bass (August Clark left and Terry became lead guitar and Larry Reid took over bass)
- Brian Master - drums
November 1965, Lenny & Terry left and the band became the Fugitives
The Fugitives circa November 1965 - May 1966 (became The Renovators)
- Jim Walton - r. guitar
- Pete Dowan - guitar/vox
- Larry Reid - bass
- Brian Master - drums
played few gigs
- Fred holden joined - guitar (good at rock n roll chuck berry)
The Renovators circa May 1966 - Sept 1966 (recorded a demo July 66) became The Tradition
- Pete Dowan - guitar/vox
- Larry Reid - bass
- Brian Master - drums
- Fred Holden leadThe Tradition Sept 66- June 1967 (joined Image Artists in April 1967)
- Pete Dowan - guitar/vox
- Larry Reid - bass
- Brian Master - drums
- Fred Holden leadwhen the band folded Pete joined Torquays, his first gig was in August 1967 (after Mark Campbell's summer as bass player at The Scene)
Torquays circa 1964-late 67
- John Stimac – bass (May or June 1967)
o Replaced by Mark Campbell (played The Scene in Port Dalhousie for the summer 1967)
o Replaced by Pete Dowan - bass Aug 1967
- Jim Cadeau – rhythm guitar
- Gene (Eugene) Sagur – drums left June 1967
o Replaced by Brian Master – drums (for a short while)
- George Ryan – lead guitar
- Paul Riches – lead guitar
- Rick Jones - ManagerThey changed to 18th Century Drawing Room, Brian Master left and Rick Jones took up the drums.
18th Century Drawing Room circa late 1967
- Paul Riches – lead guitar
- Rick Jones – drummer/singer
- Pete Dowan – bass (wrote songs for The Looking Glass, The Majority and Gary & Dave)
- Jim Cadeau –rhythm guitar
18th Century Drawing Room circa 1968-late 68 early 69
- Rich Mannering (Mannery?)– bass
- Mark Campbell – guitar
o Replaced by Terry Walsh - guitar
- John Young – Singer (Fort Erie)
- John Hoeller – rhythm
- Doug Ross–drums
o Replaced by John Trojan - drums
- Laverne Flowers (Verne) – roadyTruck circa 1967 or 68 (St. Catharines band)
- Rich Mannering - bass/lead vocals
- Jimmy McClelland - drums (band practiced at Jimmy's house)
- Bob Zbigniew Styrna - guitar/vocals
- manager (who?) owned most of the movie theatres in Niagara & promoted the band in his theatres.The Movement circa 1967 (original line-up formed from the Vell Tones & Scarlet Wizard) their sticker was on the back of the toilet in Image Artists office
- John Wegener - lead vocals (Beasmsville)
- Fred Wegener - bass (Beasmsville)
- Mike Peets - organ (St. Catharines)
- Bob Styrna - lead guitar/vocals
- Don Maitland - drums
- Tim Tickner - drums (replaced Don Maitland)The Movement circa 1967 (Image wipes the lineup and reforms from The Druids)
- Don Fraser(?) – drummer
- Jerry Lech –bass
- Ernie Adeleck-guitar
- Gail Fenton (female) – singer
- Stew Farago – singer/harmonica
The Movement circa 1967 or 68
- Gail Fenton - singer
- Bob Styrna – guitar
- Jimmy McClelland – drums
- Mark Campbell – guitar
- Jerry Lech – bass
The Movement circa 1968 -summer
- Jerry Lech -bass
- Randy Scott –vacillated between keyboard & guitar
- Gail Fenton- singer
- John Trojan - drums
- John Young -singerEarthworks circa 196?
- Jim McClelland - drums
- Mike Gorgochuck - guitar
- Rick McDonald - bass
Bullrush circa 1972-75 formed from Demian
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Brian Gagnon-bass/vox /guitar (switches to guitar in late 1974)
- Paul Dickinson – guitar
- Bob Morrison – keyboards
o Replace by Randy Scott –keyboards/singer (joined late 1974)
- Paul Clark- bass (joined late 1974)
- Arne Nilsen – equipment
- Roy Arbuthnot-Arne’s assistant
- Jimmy Johnson – equipment
- Denis Brander – manager (at first)
When Bob left, Randy Scott and Paul Clark joined, and then Gangon switched to guitar
The Born Losers circa 1965-66 (micro band)
- Rick (Zak) Rochon – bass
- Omer Langlois – guitar
- Danny Colevechia – drums
- Bryan Winstanly – singer
Became Black Lens
Black Lens circa 1966-68 (micro band)
- Rick (Zak) Rochon – bass
- Omer Langlois – guitar
- Bryan Winstanly – drums
- Rich Grant – singer
- Wil De Clerq – rhythm guitar (late 1967-68)
The Kidds circa spring ? 1965- June 1969
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Gary Storin – drums (played at least since 1967)
- Wayne Lawryk – bass
o Replaced by Rick Rochon – bass (joined early 1969)
- Henry Zablocki – rhythm guitar
- Mark Campbell – guitar (has the Castle sign in his garage) (quit in 1967)
o Repaced by Omer Langlois - guitar
- Roy Dickinson –singer (2nd(?) cousin to Paul Dickinson)
- Tom Schmidlin - road manager (later managed Bullrush and also opened Habb Records)
The Evil circa 1965-67 originally “Little Eddie & the Evils”, “The Evil” then “Evil”
(John Libera pointed out evil backwards was live)
- Mike Cline-guitar
o Replaced by Terry Walsh – guitar (Wally or Waldo)
- Dennis Tourbin – drums (Twister) (wrote book “The Port Dalhousie Stories”)
- Ed Zalski – bass (Dippy)
- Jon Libera – guitar & singer - best showman - wore cape & smashed guitars
- Jimmy Bryson – singer ( Bamby)
- Dennis Walsh – violin, bass (for a short time at the end)
- Irene Norton - new manager , changed their name to Rainy Fields and made them wear suits
Rainy Fields circa 1967-68 became a Toronto band at the Night Owl
- Malcolm Eyre –singer
- Terry Walsh –guitar
- Jon Libera – guitar
- Dennis Tourbin – drum (Denny)
- Bob Garfield – bass
1 by 1 the members quit until Libera was the last player then he joined Houston a TO band for 1969
Waterhole Number 4 circa 1970 (micro band)
- Glen Gratto – drums
- Doug Barnes – keyboard
- Terry Walsh – guitar
- Ed Zalski – bass
Australian Brandy Company circa 1967-72 (St. Catharines) aka Australian Brandy Group, Brandy Brass
Legal threats from vegas caused the band to change name to Brandy Brass
- Angelo Daminio – singer (leader of the band)
- Mike Difabio – bass/vox
- Sepo Yasamaki (Estonian) –lead guitar/vox
- Dave Garret – organ
- Don Tees – sax
- Peter Wackett – trumpet
- Kim Weaver (dude) - trombone
- Curt Candler – trumpet
- Denis Brander – drums (opened B&M Productions 4 Garden park, St. Catharines)
- Paul Grecco – piano
- John Voyer – roady
- Terry Jones – roady
- Keith Smith "Smitty" – roadyBrandy Brass circa April 1972 – September 1972 (changes name to Brandy Brass, then just Brass Inc)
- Louie Cennicola – drums
- Sepo Yasamaki [Usimaki (phonetic)] – guitar
- Greg Ouzunoff – bass
- RC Skinner – vox (replaced Angelo Damiano)
- Dave Snetsinger – organ
- Curt Candler – trumpet
- Peter Wackett – trumpet
- Thom Harbour - TromboneBooked local by Image Artists / Ronn Metcalfe
Booked in Toronto by Concept 376, through Ronn Metcalfe
Booked in USA by William Morris
Orange Forest Sept 1969 – July 1970 falls band
- Don Brownlee – drums
- Greg Ouzunoff - bass
- Jerry Salfi – singer
- Leo Alegra – keyboards
- John Henning – guitar
First gig lineup was Leo on R guitar, Al McInach on vox, Kirk Ritchie in guitar, John Dobrowowski on bass [according to Ouzo's books]
Webber Grynde Falls band b4 Orange forest (micro band)
- Paul Rose – drums
- Peter Phipps – L guitar
- George (John?) Dobrowoski – bass
- Greg Ouzunoff – R. guitar
Only played 2 gigs, one for nothing and the second for $7 ea.. both in Queenston, Ontario.Hot Wind Sept 1972 – Dec 1972 (falls band, sometimes booked as Titanic) (was prob around before... but this is the time frame that Ouzo played with them)
- Paul Rose – drums
- Rick Peel – guitar
- Dave Soave – guitar (only for first 2 weeks)
- Alex Piccirillo – vox (replaced Richie Dawson on vox)
- Greg Ouzunoff- bassBlack Foot circa 1971 falls band
- Al MacInich(sp?) – singer
- Jerry Safi – bass/vox
- Leo Alegra – Keyboards
- Don Brownlee – drums
- Brian Billings - guitar
Thee Unkind circa 1969-72 Thorold band originally from Ireland
- Brian Daniels – guitar/rhythm
- Alan Daniels – lead guitar
- Dave (Dayo) Ingoldsby -singer
- Ken Morris – bass
o Replaced by Rick (Zak) Rochon – bass (after Hush)
- Henry Older – drums
- Chris Wheelery – lead guitar
o Replaced by Omer Langlois – guitar
Became Deep Water Bailey after Dayo left
Deep Water Baily circa 1972
- Brian Daniels – singer/guitar
- Alan Daniels – guitar
- Omer Langlois – guitar
- Rick (Zak) Rochon – bass
- Henry Older - drums
The Druids circa 1966 St. Catharines
- Jerry Lech – bass
- Pete Richards – lead guitar
o Replaced by Ernie Adeleck – lead guitar
- Stew Farago – singer
- Ray Nagy – organ
- Don Fraser – drums
- Ian Morrison - guitar
- Mike Hirter – drum roady? or with one of Jerry Lech’s bands
Freefall circa 1972 or 73 (niagara falls touring bar band)
- Brian Billing – guitar
- Joe Szilagy – guitar
- John Henning – bass
- Rob Monroe - drums & singer
- Phil Rustige – got the band jobs, pseudo manager
Christopher Rene’ circa 1965-66 St Catharines
- Ron Murray – guitar
- Rod Morrison - singer
- Nino Marrone – bass
- John Fishleigh –guitar
- Garry Cox-drums
Played the Castle a few times, Rick Jones & Metcalfe saw them and merged them to Westfield Fair
Westfield Fair circa 1966-68 St. Catharines Ronn Metcalfe band (was a different lineup before this one)
- John Trojan –drums
- Brian Collins- guitar
- Rod Morrison – singer
- Ron Murray – guitar
- Nino Marrone-bass
- Keith Lorenzi? Arendse?- guitar? Piano?
- Dave Torosian - keys (1967)
- Don Barber - ?Andromeda circa 1970-71 St. Catharines
- Paul Marcoux - guitar
- Rod Morrison - singer
- Gord Fitzgerald - bass
- Greg Darling (Bog, Bogey) - guitar
- Barry Henderson - drums
- Ron Dorion - keys
- Billy ? - bass (replaced Gord & Greg)
Faith circa 1970-72 (falls bar band)
- Linda Colborne – singer
- Felix Elia – bass
- Derek Simon –lead guitar/(singer after Linda left)
- John McAurthur – drummer
o Replaced by Joe Morlachetti – drummer (from St. Catharines)
- Tom Shapton – keyboards
- Dan Waters – manager
The Rubber Band circa 1972-84 top 40 bar band
- Bob Keep - keyboards
- Jerry Salfi - bass
- Curt Candler –trumpet/flugal horn (has a band called Borderline)
- Jim Windjack – sax/clarinet
- Geoff Edan – guitar
o replaced by George Tirpko – guitar
o replaced by Derek Simon -guitar
- Ted Pizzo – trumpet
o Replaced by Jamie Sherwood – trumpet
- Scott Harris - drums
- Davey Hall (saxophone - briefly in the 70's)
- Bill Wholsey (sound and road crew)
- Bill St. Amour (sound and road crew - recently keyboard technition for Paul McCartney, now with the Bruce Springsteen Band)
- Wayne Hagen (sound and road crew)
- Dave Counsel (sound and road crew)
- Marcel ? (sound and road crew)
- Buddy ? (sound and road crew)
- Mark Lennon (sound and road crew)
- Steve Welsh (sound and road crew)
The Crowd circa 1971-72
- Ivan Vachon – bass (sounds like Joe Cocker) (Welland)
- Ted Pizzo – trumpet (Thorold)
- Dave Hall – sax
- Ron Sacco- drums (Welland)
- Bob Keep – keyboards
- Geoff Eden – guitar
The Hunt circa 1974 -? Grimsby (released a few records, made some waves in Texas)
- Gerry Mosby - bass, keyboards, vocals
- Paul Kersey – drums
- Paul Cockburn -guitar, vocals
- Brian Gagnon - bass, guitars
- Jacques Harrison - keyboards, lead vocals
- Paul Dickinson – guitar (must have replaced Paul Cockburn)Lost Marbles Boogie Band circa 1971 - (mid 70's?) St. Catharines
- Dave (Limp) Curry - guitar
- Omer Langlois - guitar
- Rick (Zak) Rochon - bass
- Mike Moretto - singer
- Mark Haggerty - drumsThe Musn't Touch circa 1966-68 (65-70?)
- Bob Penniman - vox
- Gabe Mazzone - bass
- Gilles (Guy) Bougie (Boozhay) - rhythm guitar/sang
- Seppo Usimaki - lead guitar
- Al Sacilot - drums
The Churls circa 1967 +/-, St. Catharines band
Dakota circa mid 70's (bar/banquet band) all sang
- Ric Grant - rhythm guitar
- Ken Elder - bass
- Tom Shapton - B3 (hammond organ)
- Derek Bancroft - drums
- Paul Riches - guitar
- Cheryl O'Brien - singer (at one point)One Lane Bridge sometime after 1967 (somewhere around 1969 - 1971)
- Rick Jones - drums
- Brian Gagnon - guitar
- Pete Dowan - guitar & bass pedals
- Jim Cosby - organ/voxMusic industry businesses of that era in St. Catharines & Niagara
- Direction Public Relations – box 343 St. Catharines – Ronn Metcalfe -1967
- Image Artists Representatives -86a church St. – Ronn Metcalfe – 1965-69 (was on 3 King street first)
- Aware Public Relations -86 Church St. – Rick Jones – 1969 -1970(or 71)(took over Image Artists in 1967, then opened Aware)
- Headline Entertainment -100 St. Paul – Brian O’Mara – 1968-1970 w Charlie Secord
- Empire Entertainment - St. Catharines – B.G. Taylor -?
- Nestor Records - St. Catharines - Jack Nestor (used to work at Image, but left and managed The Kidds)- 1969
- Habb (How About a Blow Baby)Productions – St. Catharines – Tom Schmidlin - 197?
- Heidabrick Recording Studio (pressed records as well) - Linwell St - St. Catharines - 197?
- Earthland Studio - Niagara Falls - Stanley (near progress?) - Rod Morrison (became Rainbow Recording Studio)
- Rainbow Recording Studio - Niagara Falls - Rod Morrison- 197? (I think later)
- Franklin Entertainment – 4 Garden Park St. Catharines – Denis Brander – 1970-71?
- B&M Productions – 4 Garden Park St. Catharines – Denis Brander -1971-74Some venues
- The Castle corner of Wellington, Lake st & Welland Ave, St. Catharines- Ronn Metcalfe, from April 1965, started to falter around 1967 or 1968 and closed 1969
- The Roller Rink (St. Catharines Curling Club) - Jack Johnson, Ontario St 1963(4) to early 1970's-ish
- The Power Plant 69 Ontario Street, St. Catharines- Ted Lindal & Tom Hughes, June 1970 for a couple years
- Rock 3 just east of The Power Plant on Ontario St. (I had the address but can't remember it right now) - Fraser Loveman 1970-ish
- N.A.C.(Niagara Arts Centre?) - 4 Garden Park, St. Catharines. Still around downtown St. Catharines somewhere.. it moves.
There's a bunch more, watch the documentary to see some of them.
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