Skylark (Canadian band)
| Skylark | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Vancouver, Canada[1] |
| Genres | Pop rock, blue-eyed soul |
| Years active | 1971– 1975 |
| Labels | Capitol |
| Past members | Former members |
Skylark was a former Canadian pop/rock band, active from 1971–1973, based in the Pacific Northwest.
History
Skylark formed from one of Ronnie Hawkins' backup groups and signed with Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1972 which spawned three singles. The group, whose alumni include renowned composer/arranger David Foster, disbanded after the lukewarm reception of their second album, 2, and its members achieved mixed success in other projects.
Their biggest single, "Wildflower", was a 1972 number one hit in Canada on their RPM Adult Contemporary chart, reached #10 on the Canadian RPM singles chart and then peaked at #9 on Billboard Hot 100 chart the following spring, selling over a million copies.[1] It was written by guitarist Doug Edwards and Dave Richardson, who was a Victoria police officer at the time. "Wildflower" is an early example of the power ballad, featuring a strong, emotional lead vocal, a blend of electric guitar, strings and harp, distinctive "slow dance" percussion, and almost-gospel background vocals. It has since been covered by Johnny Mathis, The New Birth, The O'Jays, Kenny Rogers, Aaron Neville, Gary Morris, Color Me Badd, Phil Perry, Lisa Fischer, Hong Kong superstar Sandy Lam, Lana Wolf and sampled by Tupac Shakur and Jamie Foxx. This song was also covered by Jodeci and Elliott Yamin.
Donny Gerrard was amongst the Canadian musicians who recorded the 1985 charity single for African famine relief entitled "Tears Are Not Enough". He sang his solo line with Bryan Adams.
Former members
- B.J. Cook - vocals
- Donny Gerrard - vocals
- Flip Arellano - vocals
- David Foster - keyboards
- Carl Graves - percussion
- Robbie King - Hammond organ
- Eddie Patterson - guitar
- Steven Pugsley - bass
- Doug Edwards - guitar
- Gaye Delorme - guitar
- Duris Maxwell - drums
- Brian Hilton - drums (replaced Maxwell)
- Kat Hendrikse - drums (replaced Hilton)
- Norman McPherson - guitar (replaced Edwards)
- John Verner - guitar (replaced McPherson in 1972)
- Allan Mix - guitar (replaced Verner in 1973)
Discography
Singles
- 1972 - "What Would I Do Without You" (Capitol) (#60 Can.)
- 1973 - "Wildflower" (Capitol) (#10 Canada) (#65 Australia)
- 1973 - "I'll Have to Go Away" (Capitol) (#83 Can.)
- 1973 - "If That's The Way You Want It" (Capitol)
Albums
- 1972 - Skylark (Shanachie/Capitol)
- 1974 - 2 (Capitol)
- 1996 - Wildflower: Golden Classics Edition (Collectibles)
References
- 1 2 "CANOE -- JAM! Music - Pop Encyclopedia - Skylark". Jam!. Retrieved on October 11, 2009.
External links
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