Boulevard (band)

Boulevard was a Canadian band (originally called BLVD) formed in 1983 in Calgary by Mark Holden (saxophone/vocals) and Randy Gould (guitar). The band dissolved in 1991.

History

In 1983, Mark Holden was invited to work in the new Thunder Road Studio in Calgary, Alberta. Shortly thereafter, he started a studio project called Missing Persons using all the best studio players in calgary at the time. In 1984 he started using Andrew Johns as lead vocalist while redoing some of the old demos. Meanwhile RCA records in Germany came calling and wanted the band to sign and make a trip to Germany to record some tv shows and videos… without a band that would not be possible. Therefore the birth of the band which included Randy Gould on guitar, Randall Stoll on drums, Hans Sahlen on bass and Andrew Johns on keyboards and lead vocals. The group remained in Calgary until it ended up inking a deal with MCA records in 1986/87 and consequently moved to vancouver canada to procure management with the Bruce Allen talent agency where Randy Burgess replaced Hans on bass and vocals.

Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Ocean Sound in Vancouver by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by notable rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser. The album produced four singles with videos for "Never Give Up" and "Far From Over", and the band had good exposure by touring Canada opening for Glass Tiger. The band also opened for BOSTON on it's final leg of the Third Stage tour… ending up in Seattle WA , the home of new lead singer David Forbes. David had crossed paths with both Mark Holden and Andrew Johns in unrelated circles and was a great fit for the band and brought his powerful voice to the "already vocal heavy" band. All members sang "live". In day of samplers and tape it was a surprise to hear this "studio" band actually sound better "live"..

By 1990, the band expanded their name to Boulevard and revised their lineup with Thom Christiansen on bass (formerly of Idle Eyes, later to play with Econoline Crush, Josh Kelly) and Randall Stoll on drums.(Randall later moving on to play with k.d. lang and Tom Cochrane. They recorded Into the Street at Venture Studios in Vancouver with John Punter and released two singles in Canada. The band broke up by 1991.

The band has currently been asked to get back together to perform in London England at Firefest this Oct / 2014.

Discography

Albums

• BLVD (1988)
• Into the Street (1990)

Singles

• "In the Twilight" (1988)
• "Never Give Up" (1988) CAN #23
• "Far From Over" (1988) CAN #26
• "Dream On" (1988) CAN #31
• "Lead Me On" (1990) CAN #21
• "Crazy Life" (1990) CAN #47
• "I Need You Tonight"

References

• Jackson, Rick. Encyclopedia of Canadian rock, pop and folk (1994). pg. 48. Quarry Press
• Jam! Canadian Pop Encyclopedia
• BLVD review
• Into The Street review