Toronto Sound

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The Toronto Sound is the characteristic R&B sound from the years 1967-69 which was a major progenitor of American Rock in the 1970s. Its components are the Fender Telecaster guitar, Fender Precision bass, New Orleans-style drumming, a dominant Hammond organ, and soul singing. Bands typically presented full shows complete with choreography a la James Brown & the Famous Flames, and a matching wardrobe (cf. Mandala). Popular tunes were uniquely arranged by Toronto musicians, devotees of the Stax and Motown labels, and customized according to the will of the given bandleader. This sound came to influence many performers, including Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, and Steppenwolf.

Musicians typically played in two areas of Toronto, Canada's largest city. The first was Yorkville, now an upscale shopping district, but then a centre for entertainment. Coffeehouses expanded into live venues as listed below. The second area was Yonge Street between King St. and Bloor.

Principal musicians and bands responsible for creating the Toronto Sound: David Clayton Thomas, Domenic Troiano, the Five Rogues/Mandala/Bush, George Olliver and the Soul Children, Eric Mercury, Diane Brooks and the Soul Searchers, Grant Smith and the Power, Steppenwolf (originating as John Kay and the Sparrows), Rick James, The Mynah Birds (including Neil Young and Rick James), Jackie Shane (a cousin of Little Richard), Eugene Smith and the Imperials, Sean and Jay Jackson and the Majestics, Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks (who became The Band), Robbie Lane and the Disciples, Jackie Gabriel, Jack Harden and the Silhouettes, RK and the Associates, John (Finley) and Lee and The Checkmates, who became Rhinoceros, Luke and the Apostles, and, later, Prakash John and the Lincolns. The James Stafford Set called the Chad Noir home as did the Ugly Ducklings call Charlie Browns their home.There was no James Staffod Tony Wansborough and James Butler handled the vocals and soulman dancing doing their best impression of Sam and Dave while Marty Kolesnyk carried the band on the Hammond B3, Phil Groves on telecaster Butch Vasilef on drums and holding down the bottem Doug Hutcheson on bass the only R&B band whose bass player played a Beatle bass. Clubs in which the Toronto Sound was developed: In Yorkville, the Riverboat, the Purple Onion, the Devil's Den, the Patio, the Penny Farthing, the Mynah Bird, the Embassy, Boris's The Flick mostly overgrown coffee houses. On Yonge Street from Bloor to King St.; the Coq d'Or tavern, the Hawk's Nest above it; the Colonial Tavern, the Sapphire, and Zanzibar and club 888 which became The Rockpile in 1968.

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