The Front (Canadian band)
Encyclopedia
The Front was a Canadian band, based in Toronto
, that released two well-received albums and several singles in the early 1980s, the most notable single of which is "The Haunting (Jimmy Loves Mary-Ann)". The band is also notable as being the first recording band of Joel Feeney
and Tim Thorney
.
and continued as such, never performing live. Band members also spent much time performing television and radio jingle
s. The band was formed around singer Paul Henderson and vocalist-keyboardist Tim Thorney, with guitarist and vocalist Joel Feeney as a third member. Singer Lisa Dal Bello was an important factor in the formation of The Front. Thorney came to The Front with previous experience as a songwriter and backing vocalist. With Dal Bello, Thorney co-wrote seven of the ten songs on her Drastic Measures
album (1981). Paul Henderson was a recording engineer for that same album.
Frequent backing musicians for The Front included Garry Nichol on guitar and Paul Hannah on drums. Nichol had also played on and co-written for Dal Bello's Drastic Measures album. Noted guitarist Domenic Troiano
contributed to The Front's second album, Underworld, as did flautist Moe Koffman
. The principal songwriters were Thorney and Feeney.
The band's first single, "The Haunting (Jimmy Loves Mary-Ann)" became their most popular song, much sought after in later years, particularly after the band's record company, Duke Street Records
, ceased operations in 1994. The band released two albums: Gina's At A Party (1983) and Underworld (1984) before breaking up. Other single releases included "Your Street" and "Underworld".
Following the breakup of The Front, Thorney, Feeney and Henderson continued in music. Thorney achieved great success continuing to write jingles and as a record producer of various artists, including Alanis Morissette
. He also developed a modest solo career and became a co-owner of a recording studio. Feeney became a country music artist, initially as "Joel Feeney and The Western Front", with his most successful period being in the mid-1990s. Feeney also developed a career as an award-winning songwriter and record producer. All were studio backing vocalist
s on well-known albums by others. Despite being the principal vocalist in The Front, Henderson did not develop a later solo career.
Notwithstanding that the band's material is now owned by the Universal Music Group
, following the demise of Duke Street Records, neither of The Front's albums has been the subject of CD release.
Control of the band's name appears to have been lost, in that bands using the name "The Front" appeared in both Canada and the United States in later years.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, that released two well-received albums and several singles in the early 1980s, the most notable single of which is "The Haunting (Jimmy Loves Mary-Ann)". The band is also notable as being the first recording band of Joel Feeney
Joel Feeney
Joel Feeney is a Canadian country music singer, songwriter and record producer. In his performing career, he is most notable for his 1995 Number 1 hit "What Kind of Man". He is also notable for co-writing LeAnn Rimes' 2005 hit "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense", which reached Number 1 in Canada...
and Tim Thorney
Tim Thorney
Tim Thorney is a Canadian guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, currently working out of Tattoo Sound + Music in Toronto.-History:Thorney first came to prominence as a recording engineer and songwriter. In 1981, he co-wrote most of Lisa DalBello's Drastic Measures album...
.
History
The Front was initially formed as a studio bandStudio band
A studio band is a musical band that is in regular employment of a Music Recording business for the purpose of playing music on recordings featuring a separate performer. The term may also refer to a band that does not perform live....
and continued as such, never performing live. Band members also spent much time performing television and radio jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s. The band was formed around singer Paul Henderson and vocalist-keyboardist Tim Thorney, with guitarist and vocalist Joel Feeney as a third member. Singer Lisa Dal Bello was an important factor in the formation of The Front. Thorney came to The Front with previous experience as a songwriter and backing vocalist. With Dal Bello, Thorney co-wrote seven of the ten songs on her Drastic Measures
Drastic Measures (Dalbello album)
Drastic Measures is the third album by Lisa Dalbello. It includes songs written together with Bryan Adams and her mother Yolanda Dalbello.- Track listing :-Production:* Produced by: Bob Esty for Fave Rave Productions* Basic tracks for "Dr...
album (1981). Paul Henderson was a recording engineer for that same album.
Frequent backing musicians for The Front included Garry Nichol on guitar and Paul Hannah on drums. Nichol had also played on and co-written for Dal Bello's Drastic Measures album. Noted guitarist Domenic Troiano
Domenic Troiano
Domenic Troiano was a Canadian rock guitarist, most notable for his contributions to Mandala, The James Gang, The Guess Who and as a solo artist.-History:...
contributed to The Front's second album, Underworld, as did flautist Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman, OC was a Canadian jazz musician and composer. He played the flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone and clarinet...
. The principal songwriters were Thorney and Feeney.
The band's first single, "The Haunting (Jimmy Loves Mary-Ann)" became their most popular song, much sought after in later years, particularly after the band's record company, Duke Street Records
Duke Street Records
Duke Street Records was a Canadian independent record label. The label was established in 1984 by Andrew Hermant and ceased operations in 1994. The Universal Music Group took over the label when it disappeared....
, ceased operations in 1994. The band released two albums: Gina's At A Party (1983) and Underworld (1984) before breaking up. Other single releases included "Your Street" and "Underworld".
Following the breakup of The Front, Thorney, Feeney and Henderson continued in music. Thorney achieved great success continuing to write jingles and as a record producer of various artists, including Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
. He also developed a modest solo career and became a co-owner of a recording studio. Feeney became a country music artist, initially as "Joel Feeney and The Western Front", with his most successful period being in the mid-1990s. Feeney also developed a career as an award-winning songwriter and record producer. All were studio backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
s on well-known albums by others. Despite being the principal vocalist in The Front, Henderson did not develop a later solo career.
Notwithstanding that the band's material is now owned by the Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, following the demise of Duke Street Records, neither of The Front's albums has been the subject of CD release.
Control of the band's name appears to have been lost, in that bands using the name "The Front" appeared in both Canada and the United States in later years.
Discography
- 1983 Gina's At A Party (Duke StreetDuke Street RecordsDuke Street Records was a Canadian independent record label. The label was established in 1984 by Andrew Hermant and ceased operations in 1994. The Universal Music Group took over the label when it disappeared....
) - 1984 Underworld (Duke Street)