The Esquires (Canadian band)
Encyclopedia
The Esquires were a Canadian
band, based in Ottawa
, active from 1962 to 1967. The band is notable as the recipient of the first Juno Award
in Canada, as well as being one of Canada's earlier pop music
recording acts. The first Canadian music video
ever made is said to be that of an Esquires song. The band is also notable as having had Bruce Cockburn
as a later member, and also for one of its hit records, "It's A Dirty Shame", having been written by William Hawkins
.
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin) were co-founded in Ottawa
, in 1962, by Clint Hierlihy and Gary Comeau, while both were still in high school. The band developed a strong local following during the 1962-1963 period, modeling their sound on that of Cliff Richard and The Shadows. The group attracted the attention of Montreal singer Marty Hill. They were asked to back Montreal singer Andy Kim for his performance during Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars
in Montreal
, where the band played on the same bill as Gene Pitney
, The Dovells
, Paul and Paula and The Tymes
.
The Esquires were signed to Capitol Records
in 1963, and are considered to have been the first Canadian pop band to be signed to a major label. In 1964, they received the RPM Award, a predecessor to the Juno Awards, as Best Vocal and Instrumental Group. They became the opening act for some of the major performers of the day, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five and Roy Orbison
.
The Esquires issued a series of singles, the biggest hit of which was "So Many Other Boys" (1964) and one album, Introducing The Esquires.
Lead singer Don Norman, who had succeeded Bob Harrington as vocalist, split acrimoniously with the group in 1965, leading to a lawsuit when he named his new group Don Norman and The Esquires. Norman gave up his claim to The Esquires name, but his departure from the group is said to have cost them their contract with Capitol Records. Norman continued as Don Norman and The Other Four, with ex-Esquire Gary Comeau joining him.
The Esquires switched to Columbia Records
, issuing two singles (including "It's A Dirty Shame" by William Hawkins
), prior to breaking up in 1967. Band members continued their music careers in such bands as The Staccatos (later reformed as The Five Man Electrical Band), The Townsmen, The Modern Rock Quartet, 3's a Crowd
, Canada Goose and James Leroy and Denim.
In 1987, the band reunited to commemorate its 25th anniversary, playing at a benefit concert for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
. Appearing were Norman, Huot, Hierlihy, Comeau, Patterson, and Lewicki. The day was proclaimed by the City of Ottawa to be "Esquires Day", in the band's honour.
In 1987, two music clips featuring the band were discovered: "The Man From Adano" and "Gee Whiz It's You". "The Man From Adano" clip is considered to be the first Canadian music video
ever made. The original footage was donated to the National Archives of Canada.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
band, based in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, active from 1962 to 1967. The band is notable as the recipient of the first Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in Canada, as well as being one of Canada's earlier pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
recording acts. The first Canadian music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
ever made is said to be that of an Esquires song. The band is also notable as having had Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
as a later member, and also for one of its hit records, "It's A Dirty Shame", having been written by William Hawkins
William Hawkins (songwriter and poet)
William Alfred Hawkins is a songwriter, poet, musician and journalist, most notable for his contributions in the 1960s to Canadian folk rock music and to Canadian poetry...
.
History
The Esquires (not to be confused with the same-named R&B group The EsquiresThe Esquires
The Esquires were an American R&B group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, principally active from 1957 to 1976.- History :The Esquires first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family, whose Gilbert , Alvis, and Betty all became members. They went through many lineup changes over their first decade, which...
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin) were co-founded in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, in 1962, by Clint Hierlihy and Gary Comeau, while both were still in high school. The band developed a strong local following during the 1962-1963 period, modeling their sound on that of Cliff Richard and The Shadows. The group attracted the attention of Montreal singer Marty Hill. They were asked to back Montreal singer Andy Kim for his performance during Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars
Caravan of Stars
In 1959, Dick Clark formed the Caravan of Stars, a road show featuring some of the most popular stars and musical groups of the day. Chubby Checker, Duane Eddy, Bobby Darin, Fabian, Buddy Holly, Annette Funicello and Bo Diddley toured with the Caravan...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where the band played on the same bill as Gene Pitney
Gene Pitney
Eugene Francis Alan Pitney, known as Gene Pitney , was an American singer-songwriter, musician and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the...
, The Dovells
The Dovells
The Dovells were an American music group, formed at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957, under the name 'The Brooktones'. The members were Arnie Silver, Mark Gordesky, Len Borisoff , Jerry Gross, Mike Freda and Jim Mealey...
, Paul and Paula and The Tymes
The Tymes
The Tymes are an American soul vocal group, who enjoyed equal success in the United Kingdom as their homeland. They share the distinction of being one of the few acts to have one and only one chart-topper in both the U.S...
.
The Esquires were signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in 1963, and are considered to have been the first Canadian pop band to be signed to a major label. In 1964, they received the RPM Award, a predecessor to the Juno Awards, as Best Vocal and Instrumental Group. They became the opening act for some of the major performers of the day, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five and Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
.
The Esquires issued a series of singles, the biggest hit of which was "So Many Other Boys" (1964) and one album, Introducing The Esquires.
Lead singer Don Norman, who had succeeded Bob Harrington as vocalist, split acrimoniously with the group in 1965, leading to a lawsuit when he named his new group Don Norman and The Esquires. Norman gave up his claim to The Esquires name, but his departure from the group is said to have cost them their contract with Capitol Records. Norman continued as Don Norman and The Other Four, with ex-Esquire Gary Comeau joining him.
The Esquires switched to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, issuing two singles (including "It's A Dirty Shame" by William Hawkins
William Hawkins (songwriter and poet)
William Alfred Hawkins is a songwriter, poet, musician and journalist, most notable for his contributions in the 1960s to Canadian folk rock music and to Canadian poetry...
), prior to breaking up in 1967. Band members continued their music careers in such bands as The Staccatos (later reformed as The Five Man Electrical Band), The Townsmen, The Modern Rock Quartet, 3's a Crowd
3's a Crowd (band)
3's a Crowd was a folk rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, that existed from 1964 to 1969. The group is particularly notable for its association with Cass Elliott, who co-produced the group's sole album release...
, Canada Goose and James Leroy and Denim.
In 1987, the band reunited to commemorate its 25th anniversary, playing at a benefit concert for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a major children's hospital and university teaching hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, serving Eastern Ontario and western Quebec. It is affiliated with The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, and is funded by the provincial Government of Ontario...
. Appearing were Norman, Huot, Hierlihy, Comeau, Patterson, and Lewicki. The day was proclaimed by the City of Ottawa to be "Esquires Day", in the band's honour.
In 1987, two music clips featuring the band were discovered: "The Man From Adano" and "Gee Whiz It's You". "The Man From Adano" clip is considered to be the first Canadian music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
ever made. The original footage was donated to the National Archives of Canada.
Singles
- 1963 Atlantis/I've Lost My Girl (CapitolCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
) - 1964 The Man From Adano/Gee Whiz It's You (Capitol)
- 1964 So Many Other Boys/The Oldest Story (Capitol)
- 1965 Cry Is All I Do/We've Got A Future (Capitol)
- 1965 Love's Made A Fool Of You/Summertime (Capitol)
- 1966 It's A Dirty Shame/The Sea Rushes To The Shore (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
) - 1966 Love Hides A Multitude Of Sins/Why Should I Care? (Columbia)