Jack London & The Sparrows
Encyclopedia
Jack London and The Sparrows were a sixties “Toronto
British invasion
” band, and are best known for including future Steppenwolf
members, Jerry Edmonton
, Goldy McJohn
and Nick St. Nicholas
and future Buffalo Springfield
member, Bruce Palmer
.
, Ontario
in early 1964 by British émigré Dave Marden (aka Jack London), (born February 16, 1944 in London
, England
), guitarist Dennis Edmonton (born Dennis McCrohan, April 21, 1943 in Oshawa, Ontario) and keyboard player Dave Hare, who later played with Everyday People.
After moving to Toronto later that year, C.J. Feeney joined on organ. A short while later, Bruce Palmer
(born September 9, 1946 in Toronto), who'd played in Billy Clarkson’s band replaced Maitland who went to university. This line-up signed to Capitol Records and scored a #3 hit on the RPM chart with debut single “If You Don’t Want My Love”. Palmer, however, soon tired of “affecting” an English accent and was traded for The Mynah Birds
’ member, Nick St. Nicholas
(born Klaus Karl Kassbaum, September 28, 1943 in Plön, Holstein, Germany
) in January 1965. Around the same time, local jazz musician Art Ayre (born March 18, 1942 in Toronto) replaced Feeney, who formed a new version of his former band, The Spellbinders.
The new Jack London and The Sparrows line-up was responsible for the band’s lone album and the subsequent singles. Only “Our Love Has Passed”, however, neared the success of the debut single, reaching #7 on the RPM chart in May 1965.
By mid-1965, the group was beginning to progress beyond its early British influences and was starting to incorporate more of a North American blues-rock sound. At the same time, resentment was growing over London’s role in the band; he had signed the recording deal so that he would collect most of the group’s royalties. As a result, the band separated from London (who went solo) and recorded a final single as The Sparrows
, “Hard Times With The Law”, which hit #13 on the RPM chart in August.
(born Joachim Fritz Krauledat, April 12, 1944, Tilsit, East Prussia
) to the line-up. Art Ayre left at this point to pursue a career in jazz with The Art Ayre Trio (and later Moe Koffman
) and ex-The Diplomats and former Mynah Birds keyboard player Goldy McJohn (born John Goadsby, May 2, 1945) was recruited. The band shortened its name to The Sparrow in May 1966.
After his solo career dried up, London moved into production and then became president of the Canadian Association of Real Estate Investors.
(As The Sparrows)
(Jack London)
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
British invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
” band, and are best known for including future Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf (band)
Steppenwolf are a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent in the late 1960s. The group was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of Toronto group The...
members, Jerry Edmonton
Jerry Edmonton
Jerry Edmonton was the drummer for the rock band, Steppenwolf.He was born Gerald McCrohan in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Both he and his brother Dennis, also known as Mars Bonfire, changed their surnames to Edmonton during the 1960s, when they performed in a group called The Sparrows...
, Goldy McJohn
Goldy McJohn
Goldy McJohn is a Canadian keyboard player best known as the original keyboardist for rock group Steppenwolf. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the early use of the electronic organ in heavy metal...
and Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas is a bassist, and is best known for his membership in Steppenwolf from 1968 to 1970, and then again from 1976 to 1980. After World War II, his family moved to Toronto and became Canadian citizens. Sister Maren joined the Canadian Ballet Company & Conservatory of Music as pianist...
and future Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield is a North American folk rock band renown both for its music and as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Among the first wave of North American bands to become popular in the wake of the British invasion, the group combined...
member, Bruce Palmer
Bruce Palmer
Bruce Palmer was a Canadian musician notable for playing bass guitar in the folk rock band Buffalo Springfield.-Early years:Palmer was born and raised in Toronto Ontario, Canada...
.
Early years
The original Jack London and The Sparrows line-up was formed in OshawaOshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in early 1964 by British émigré Dave Marden (aka Jack London), (born February 16, 1944 in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
), guitarist Dennis Edmonton (born Dennis McCrohan, April 21, 1943 in Oshawa, Ontario) and keyboard player Dave Hare, who later played with Everyday People.
British invasion
Jack London and The Sparrows began as a beat group and played heavily on Dave Marden’s English background. Their early repertoire reflected the influence of the “British invasion” and London even went as far as coaxing the others to “fake” English accents, in order to convince the audience that they had just arrived from England. Shortly afterwards, Dennis’ brother Jerry (born Jerry McCrohan, October 24, 1946 in Oshawa, Ontario) replaced the original drummer and Brent Maitland (stage name: Bert Enfield) joined on bass. The group began to build up a local following, playing at various venues, such as the local Jubilee Auditorium (which was owned by the Edmonton brothers’ father).After moving to Toronto later that year, C.J. Feeney joined on organ. A short while later, Bruce Palmer
Bruce Palmer
Bruce Palmer was a Canadian musician notable for playing bass guitar in the folk rock band Buffalo Springfield.-Early years:Palmer was born and raised in Toronto Ontario, Canada...
(born September 9, 1946 in Toronto), who'd played in Billy Clarkson’s band replaced Maitland who went to university. This line-up signed to Capitol Records and scored a #3 hit on the RPM chart with debut single “If You Don’t Want My Love”. Palmer, however, soon tired of “affecting” an English accent and was traded for The Mynah Birds
The Mynah Birds
The Mynah Birds were a Canadian R&B band formed in Toronto, Ontario active from 1964 to 1967. Although the band never released an album, it is notable as featuring a number of musicians who went on to have successful careers in rock, folk rock and funk....
’ member, Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas is a bassist, and is best known for his membership in Steppenwolf from 1968 to 1970, and then again from 1976 to 1980. After World War II, his family moved to Toronto and became Canadian citizens. Sister Maren joined the Canadian Ballet Company & Conservatory of Music as pianist...
(born Klaus Karl Kassbaum, September 28, 1943 in Plön, Holstein, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) in January 1965. Around the same time, local jazz musician Art Ayre (born March 18, 1942 in Toronto) replaced Feeney, who formed a new version of his former band, The Spellbinders.
The new Jack London and The Sparrows line-up was responsible for the band’s lone album and the subsequent singles. Only “Our Love Has Passed”, however, neared the success of the debut single, reaching #7 on the RPM chart in May 1965.
By mid-1965, the group was beginning to progress beyond its early British influences and was starting to incorporate more of a North American blues-rock sound. At the same time, resentment was growing over London’s role in the band; he had signed the recording deal so that he would collect most of the group’s royalties. As a result, the band separated from London (who went solo) and recorded a final single as The Sparrows
The Sparrows
The Sparrow was a Canadian blues-rock band that existed in the 1960s, and which evolved out of Jack London & The Sparrow and later morphed into heavy rock group, Steppenwolf.-Early years:...
, “Hard Times With The Law”, which hit #13 on the RPM chart in August.
Aftermath
During September 1965, The Sparrows added German-born singer/songwriter and guitarist John KayJohn Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
(born Joachim Fritz Krauledat, April 12, 1944, Tilsit, East Prussia
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
) to the line-up. Art Ayre left at this point to pursue a career in jazz with The Art Ayre Trio (and later Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman, OC was a Canadian jazz musician and composer. He played the flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone and clarinet...
) and ex-The Diplomats and former Mynah Birds keyboard player Goldy McJohn (born John Goadsby, May 2, 1945) was recruited. The band shortened its name to The Sparrow in May 1966.
After his solo career dried up, London moved into production and then became president of the Canadian Association of Real Estate Investors.
Discography
(As Jack London and The Sparrows)- 45 "If You Don’t Want My Love" c/w "It’s Been One Of Those Days" Today (Capitol 72203) 1964
- 45 "I’ll Be The Boy" c/w "Dream On Dreamer" (Capitol 72210) 1965
- 45 "Our Love Has Passed" c/w "Sparrows and Daisies" (Capitol 72229) 1965
- 45 "Give My Love To Sally" c/w "Take It Slow" (Capitol 72249) 1965
- LP Presenting Jack London and The Sparrows (Capitol T-6115) 1965
- CD Jack London and The Sparrows (EMI Int'l B0000C6IB0) 2003
(As The Sparrows)
- 45 "Hard Times With The Law" c/w "Meet Me After Four" (Capitol 72257) 1965
(Jack London)
- 45 "Don’t Ever Change" c/w "Misery & Me" (RCA 3360) 1965