The Philosopher Kings
Encyclopedia
The Philosopher Kings are a Canadian
rhythm and blues
band who were most commercially successful in the late 1990s. The name of the band is derived from Plato
's Republic, in which he outlines the design of an idealistic government, ruled by philosopher-kings. The group saw minor success in the United States with the single "Charms", which peaked at #36 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart in 1996.
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...
rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
band who were most commercially successful in the late 1990s. The name of the band is derived from Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
's Republic, in which he outlines the design of an idealistic government, ruled by philosopher-kings. The group saw minor success in the United States with the single "Charms", which peaked at #36 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart in 1996.
Current line-up
- Gerald EatonGerald EatonGerald Eaton is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and music producer, originally from Jamaica.He is the lead singer for the R&B-pop group The Philosopher Kings, which reached its peak popularity in the 1990s...
– vocalist - James Bryan (aka James McCollum) – guitarist
- Jon LevineJon LevineJon Levine is a singer/songwriter best known as keyboardist and primary songwriter for the Canadian band Philosopher Kings. His brother is Jason Levine, of the pop band Prozzäk, and the former bassist of the Philosopher Kings. He is also the musical director for the childrens television show...
– keyboardist - Denton Whited – drummer
- Marc RogersMarc RogersMarc Rogers is a Canadian acoustic and electric bassist.He has performed and/or recorded with a diverse group of artists including Norah Jones, Philosopher Kings, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Lovano, Mike Stern, Kenny Wheeler, Lewis Nash, Terri-Lynn Carrington, Kelly Jefferson, K'naan, Rahzel, Bowfire,...
– bassist
Past members
- Brian WestBrian West (musician)Brian West was the lead guitarist for the Canadian band The Philosopher Kings. His partner, Gerald Eaton began the record label Track and Field Records after they were nominated for several awards as a production duo under the name of Track and Field...
– guitarist on Philosopher Kings, Famous, Rich and Beautiful, One Night Stand & Castles - Craig HunterCraig HunterCraig Hunter is a Juno Award-winning musician and teacher living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Formerly the drummer of the pop band The Philosopher Kings, he is currently a music teacher at Waterdown District High School located in Waterdown, Ontario, where he also directs the school's award...
– drummer on Philosopher Kings, Famous, Rich and Beautiful - Jason Levine – bassist on Philosopher Kings, Famous, Rich and Beautiful & One Night Stand
Albums
- The Philosopher KingsThe Philosopher Kings (album)The Philosopher Kings is the debut album from Canadian R&B musicians The Philosopher Kings, released in 1996 .The album earned the group a Juno Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year....
(1996) Gold in Canada - Famous, Rich and BeautifulFamous, Rich and BeautifulFamous, Rich and Beautiful is the second album from Canadian R&B band The Philosopher Kings, released in 1997 .The band's most successful album, Famous, Rich and Beautiful earned the group several Juno Award nominations: for Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 1998, and for Pop Album of the Year...
(1997) Platinum in Canada - One Night Stand (1999, live album)
- Castles (2006)
Singles
- "Charms" from Philosopher Kings
- "I Am The Man" from Famous, Rich and Beautiful
- "Hurts To Love You" from Famous, Rich and Beautiful
- "CryCry (Godley & Creme song)"Cry" is a song released by the British music duo Godley & Creme in 1985. It was included on the duo's album The History Mix Volume 1.The song peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Godley & Creme's lone Top 40 hit in the US apart from their former band, 10cc...
" from Famous, Rich and Beautiful - "You Don't Love Me (Like You Used To Do)" from Famous, Rich and Beautiful
- "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" from One Night Stand
- "Castles in the Sand" (2005) from Castles
- "Give Back the Love" (20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
) from Castles - "Beautiful Creature" (2006) from Castles
Awards
- 1996Juno Awards of 1996The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
Juno AwardJuno AwardThe Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
– Best New GroupJuno Award for New Group of the YearThe Juno Award for the New Group of the Year has been awarded since 1974, as recognition each year for the best new group or band in Canada. The award was originally known as Most Promising Group of the Year, and from 1994–2002 it was known as Best New Group.-Most Promising Group of the Year...
Nominations
- 1996Juno Awards of 1996The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
Juno nomination – Best R&B/Soul RecordingJuno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" has been awarded since 1985, as recognition each year for the best rhythm and blues/soul album in Canada.-Best R&B/Soul Recording :*1985 - Liberty Silver, Lost Somewhere Inside Your Love...
for Philosopher Kings - 1998Juno Awards of 1998The Juno Awards of 1998 were presented in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The primary ceremonies at GM Place before an audience of 10 000 on 22 March 1998....
Juno nomination – Best R&B/Soul Recording for Famous, Rich and Beautiful - 1999Juno Awards of 1999The Juno Awards of 1999 honouring Canadian music industry achievements were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The primary ceremonies at Copps Coliseum on 7 March 1999 were broadcast by CBC Television and hosted by Mike Bullard....
Juno nominations – Best Pop AlbumJuno Award for Pop Album of the YearThe Juno Award for "Pop Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1999, as recognition each year for the best pop album in Canada.-Best Pop Album :*1999 - Barenaked Ladies, Stunt-Best Pop/Adult Album :...
for Famous, Rich and Beautiful; Best SingleJuno Award for Single of the YearThe Juno Award for Single of the Year has been awarded since 1974 for the best single in Canada. It has also been known as Best Single and Best Selling Single.-Best Single :...
for Hurts To Love You; Best GroupJuno Award for Group of the YearThe Juno Award for best Group of the Year has been awarded since 1970, as recognition each year for the best group or band in Canada. It has also been known as Best Group .-Best Group :*1970 - The Guess Who... - 2001Juno Awards of 2001The Juno Awards of 2001 were held in Hamilton, Ontario Canada during the weekend of 3-4 March 2001.The primary ceremonies were hosted by Rick Mercer at Copps Coliseum on 4 March 2001 and broadcast on CBC Television...
Juno nomination – Best R&B/Soul Recording for If I Ever Lose This Heaven
Side projects
- ProzzäkProzzäkProzzäk was a Canadian pop music virtual band that consisted of Simon and Milo . The name Prozzäk was inspired by the drug Prozac. In an interview with the New York Times, McCollum mentions that their music makes people feel good and happy which is an effect of the drug Prozac...
and Lefthook Entertainment – James Bryan and Jason Levine - Jarvis Church – Gerald Eaton
- Track and Field – Gerald Eaton and Brian West
- solo albums – Jon Levine; James Bryan
External links
- Philosopher Kings official website
- Return of the Kings MetroMetro InternationalMetro International is a Swedish media company based in Luxembourg that publishes the Metro newspapers. Metro International's advertising sales have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 41% since launch of the first newspaper edition in 1995. It is a freesheet, meaning that distribution is...
, November 15, 2005 - Marc Rogers website
- Jon Levine Band website
- James Bryan website