The Martels
The Martels were a Canadian rock band formed in 1957 in Midland, Ontario, Canada. The band first emerged on the music scene when musicians Tom Ambeau (drums, guitar), Milt Budarick (bass guitar), Bert DesRochers (piano), Larry French (lead guitar, vocals) and Gary French (lead vocals, drums), formed The Corvettes. Rock & Roll was becoming a powerful force on the music scene and The Corvettes became a part of that, playing concerts throughout Ontario.
The Corvettes would go on to become the backing band for Canada's first teen idol Bobby Curtola. Changing their name to Bobby Curtola & The Martells (after Curtola's manager, Maria Martell) in 1961, the band went on to record hits such as Indian Giver, Hand in Hand with You and Fortune Teller with Curtola. The band also toured across Canada and recorded with big stars of the day such as Del Shannon.
The Martels disbanded in the late 1960s, but in 1979, the band reunited and continued playing together until disbanding in 2015.
For their second incarnation, the band members also included Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers, formerly of Canadian band Lisle, on guitar & vocals. Former radio DJ Ken Rowland served as the band’s master of ceremonies and occasional percussionist until his death of cancer in 2008.
In 2007, The Martels released a new album of Rock & Roll classics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their founding.
In August 2015, The Martels played the Kempenfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Barrie, Ontario for a record-breaking 25th straight year.