Toronto (band)
Encyclopedia
Toronto was a Canadian
rock
band from the late seventies and early eighties who have been compared to Heart
and Pat Benatar
. They were formed in the late 1970s in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when singer Annie "Holly" Woods met guitarist Brian Allen. The band's constantly shifting line-up was originally augmented by guitarist/backing vocalist Sharon Alton, keyboardist Scott Kreyer, bassist Nick Costello, and drummer Jimmy Fox.
, was released in 1980, and lead single "Even The Score" was a minor hit, just missing the Canadian Top 40. Head On
(1981) followed , after which Costello and Fox left the band to be replaced by Gary LaLonde (later of Honeymoon Suite) and Barry Connors (later of Coney Hatch
).
This sextet recorded Get It on Credit
(1982), with lead single "Your Daddy Don't Know" reaching top 5 in Canada, and hitting #77 in the US. It remains their best known hit. Lalonde was then replaced by Mike Gingrich for 1983's Girls' Night Out
in 1983. This album also received attention, as did the band's Greatest Hits
album of 1984.
There were subsequently several exits and entrances in 1984/85, with founding members Allen and Alton leaving, along with drummer Connors. They were replaced by Marty Walsh (guitars), Daryl Alvara (guitars) and Paul Hanna (drums), and the band rechristened themselves Holly Woods and Toronto. In 1985, the re-vamped sextet released their final album, Assault and Flattery
. It featured the single "New Romance", written by Holly Knight
and Anton Fig
.
In 1985, the band was literally forced into breaking up when Solid Gold Records filed for bankruptcy protection. Woods and Kreyer ended up relocating to Atlanta, Georgia where they went into Lowery Studios to record a solo album by Woods. However, the album was shelved for over 20 years, until Cyclone Records acquired the rights to the "lost" masters and released the album in 2007.
for the 2003 film soundtrack "FUBAR: The Album
".
The song "What About Love
" was originally recorded by Toronto during the "Get It on Credit
" sessions, having been written by band members Alton and Allen along with outside collaborator Jim Vallance
. However, the band elected not to release the song, and the frustration Allen and Alton faced in getting this and other material onto Toronto's albums eventually led to their departure from the group. In 1985, the song was offered to Heart
, who turned "What About Love" into an international top 10 hit. Toronto's original version was eventually released in 2002 as a bonus track the CD reissues of several of their albums.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band from the late seventies and early eighties who have been compared to Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
and Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is an American singer and four-time Grammy winner. She had considerable commercial success particularly in the United States...
. They were formed in the late 1970s in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when singer Annie "Holly" Woods met guitarist Brian Allen. The band's constantly shifting line-up was originally augmented by guitarist/backing vocalist Sharon Alton, keyboardist Scott Kreyer, bassist Nick Costello, and drummer Jimmy Fox.
Biography
Their first album, Lookin' for TroubleLookin' for Trouble
Lookin' for Trouble, Toronto's debut album, was released in 1980. Nearly every track on the album was released as a single and the band achieved heavy airplay for "Even The Score", "Don't Stop Me" and the title track. The U.S. release uses different cover artwork and excludes the final track "Let's...
, was released in 1980, and lead single "Even The Score" was a minor hit, just missing the Canadian Top 40. Head On
Head On (Toronto album)
Head On, Toronto's second album, was released in 1981, and was produced by Terry Brown, best known for his work with Rush.-Track listing:#"Head On"#"Silver Screen"#"Still Talkin' 'Bout Love"#"Someone Will Play the Blues"#"It Comes from You"...
(1981) followed , after which Costello and Fox left the band to be replaced by Gary LaLonde (later of Honeymoon Suite) and Barry Connors (later of Coney Hatch
Coney Hatch
Coney Hatch is a Canadian hard rock band who released 3 albums in the 1980s. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Carl Dixon who would also go on to play with April Wine and a Burton Cummings-less Guess Who for several years, as well as touring solo and releasing...
).
This sextet recorded Get It on Credit
Get It on Credit
Get It on Credit, Toronto's third album, was released in 1982. Both Nick Costello and Jim Fox left the band prior to this release, to be replaced by Gary LaLonde and Barry Connors, respectively...
(1982), with lead single "Your Daddy Don't Know" reaching top 5 in Canada, and hitting #77 in the US. It remains their best known hit. Lalonde was then replaced by Mike Gingrich for 1983's Girls' Night Out
Girls' Night Out (Toronto)
Girls' Night Out, Toronto's fourth album, was released in 1983. The U.S. release features 3-D cover artwork and includes red/blue 3-D glasses. More personnel changes on this album, with bassist Gary LaLonde passing the torch to Mike Gingrich...
in 1983. This album also received attention, as did the band's Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Toronto)
The Greatest Hits, Toronto's fifth album, was released in 1984, and features two new studio tracks: "Andrea" and "Me Generation". The CD release features the bonus track "What About Love", as well as music videos for three songs.-Track listing:...
album of 1984.
There were subsequently several exits and entrances in 1984/85, with founding members Allen and Alton leaving, along with drummer Connors. They were replaced by Marty Walsh (guitars), Daryl Alvara (guitars) and Paul Hanna (drums), and the band rechristened themselves Holly Woods and Toronto. In 1985, the re-vamped sextet released their final album, Assault and Flattery
Assault and Flattery
Assault and Flattery is Toronto's sixth and final album, released in 1985. The album features only two original band members, Anne "Holly" Woods and Scott Kreyer. Released as "Holly Woods & Toronto" which hints at Holly's increasing control and autonomy in the band at this time...
. It featured the single "New Romance", written by Holly Knight
Holly Knight
Holly Knight is a songwriter, vocalist and musician of pop and rock music.- Biography :She was born in New York City and started playing classical piano as a young child. She soon became interested in rock music, and left home at about sixteen to pursue her dreams...
and Anton Fig
Anton Fig
Anton Fig , known as "The Thunder from Down Under" is a session drummer, noted for his work in David Letterman's house band, the CBS Orchestra. Letterman often refers to Fig as "Anton Zip"or "Buddy Rich Jr."...
.
In 1985, the band was literally forced into breaking up when Solid Gold Records filed for bankruptcy protection. Woods and Kreyer ended up relocating to Atlanta, Georgia where they went into Lowery Studios to record a solo album by Woods. However, the album was shelved for over 20 years, until Cyclone Records acquired the rights to the "lost" masters and released the album in 2007.
Overview
The band scored a handful of hit singles in their native Canada during the early 1980s, including "Your Daddy Don't Know", "Start Tellin' the Truth", and "Girls' Night Out". "Your Daddy Don't Know" was covered by The New PornographersThe New Pornographers
The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia.-History:The band's first four albums each ranked in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a...
for the 2003 film soundtrack "FUBAR: The Album
FUBAR: The Album
FUBAR: The Album is the companion record/soundtrack to the 2002 Canadian film FUBAR: The Movie.The protagonists of the film are two head bangers; for the album, several contemporary Canadian rock bands were asked to record cover versions of Canadian heavy metal and hard rock hits from that era to...
".
The song "What About Love
What About Love
"What About Love" is a song recorded by the rock band Heart, and released in June 1985. The band's "comeback" single, it was the first Heart track to reach the top 40 in three years, and their first top 10 hit in five...
" was originally recorded by Toronto during the "Get It on Credit
Get It on Credit
Get It on Credit, Toronto's third album, was released in 1982. Both Nick Costello and Jim Fox left the band prior to this release, to be replaced by Gary LaLonde and Barry Connors, respectively...
" sessions, having been written by band members Alton and Allen along with outside collaborator Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
. However, the band elected not to release the song, and the frustration Allen and Alton faced in getting this and other material onto Toronto's albums eventually led to their departure from the group. In 1985, the song was offered to Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
, who turned "What About Love" into an international top 10 hit. Toronto's original version was eventually released in 2002 as a bonus track the CD reissues of several of their albums.
Albums
- Lookin' for TroubleLookin' for TroubleLookin' for Trouble, Toronto's debut album, was released in 1980. Nearly every track on the album was released as a single and the band achieved heavy airplay for "Even The Score", "Don't Stop Me" and the title track. The U.S. release uses different cover artwork and excludes the final track "Let's...
(1980) as Toronto - Head OnHead On (Toronto album)Head On, Toronto's second album, was released in 1981, and was produced by Terry Brown, best known for his work with Rush.-Track listing:#"Head On"#"Silver Screen"#"Still Talkin' 'Bout Love"#"Someone Will Play the Blues"#"It Comes from You"...
(1981) as Toronto - Get It on CreditGet It on CreditGet It on Credit, Toronto's third album, was released in 1982. Both Nick Costello and Jim Fox left the band prior to this release, to be replaced by Gary LaLonde and Barry Connors, respectively...
(1982) as Toronto - Girls' Night OutGirls' Night Out (Toronto)Girls' Night Out, Toronto's fourth album, was released in 1983. The U.S. release features 3-D cover artwork and includes red/blue 3-D glasses. More personnel changes on this album, with bassist Gary LaLonde passing the torch to Mike Gingrich...
(1983) as Toronto - Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Toronto)The Greatest Hits, Toronto's fifth album, was released in 1984, and features two new studio tracks: "Andrea" and "Me Generation". The CD release features the bonus track "What About Love", as well as music videos for three songs.-Track listing:...
(1984) as Toronto - Assault and FlatteryAssault and FlatteryAssault and Flattery is Toronto's sixth and final album, released in 1985. The album features only two original band members, Anne "Holly" Woods and Scott Kreyer. Released as "Holly Woods & Toronto" which hints at Holly's increasing control and autonomy in the band at this time...
(1984) as Holly Woods & Toronto - Live It Up! (2007) as Holly Woods
Singles
- 1980 - "Even the Score" [CAN #44] [CHUM #14] [US #104]
- 1982 - "Your Daddy Don't Know" [CAN #5] [CHUM #2] [US #77]
- 1982 - "Start Tellin' the Truth" [CAN #15] [CHUM #4]
- 1983 - "Girls Night Out" [CAN #14] [CHUM #19]
- 1983 - "All I Need" [CAN #38] [CHUM #25]
- 1984 - "Ready to Make Up" [CAN #33] [CHUM #23]
- 1984 - "New Romance" [CAN #26] [CHUM #20]
External links
- http://www.solidgoldrecords.com/sg_cat_toronto.html
- CanConRox entry
- http://www.jimvallance.com/01-music-folder/songs-folder-may-27/pg-song-heart-what-about.html