CANADA'S ONLY MUSIC WEEKLY _ Volume l , No. 15 CENTS - · Week Ending June lOth. 1967 · 15 THE MEN WITH ByTHE Larry LeBlanc 'POWER' The word " Power" has recently re­ ceived more attention in most Toronto teen ­ ager's vocabulary. POWER is a big word · covering many meanings. But it has been IN~IDE generally accepted as something exciting, THIS WEEK'S ISSUE influential and generating energy . Thus GRANT SMITH ANO THE POWER. The original group first got their start FROGG.ON STONE in Yorkvi I le Vi I lag e. They played first at Murray Campbell's "In Crowd" on Avenue Rd. , where they were well received and accepted BEATLE'S NEW LP by the hard-core R&B fans. In a short while , Toronto teens were attracted to the group. "MOTHERS" - ABSOLUTELY FREEE Onstage, the group is all action . The world we live in today is colourful , fast mov· DAIGLE TO CFGM ing and action packed. So is a Power perform­ ance. "55% CANADIAN" · CAPREESE Ralph Miller gyrates around stage with his trumpet in precise movements while Brian Ayres, the group's saxaphonist, faces Ralph STACCATOS ENTERTAIN STARS and together they provide an exciting brass section for the band that sounds like a large STONE HAS FLOP 12 piece orchestra . The two drummers, Chari ie Mi Iler and CBC TAPES FRANCHI Wayne Stone, usually sit on large platforms above the rest of the group. Both are excellent MA'S & PA'S TOP 100 drummers and their well-timed movements provide the big beat for the unit. WASSER PROMOS GLORIES Organist, Val Stevens , sits quietly at Elvira Lashes Out At his instrument. The mood during Grant's ren ­ Val and Wayne are the quiet members dition of "When She Touches Me" and the in the group while in front of strangers. Both Programmers Power's fast paced numbers are provided by can be most talkative in front of people they this talented musician. know well. Meanwhile, Mike Harrison , the Power's Mike is the easiest to get to know. His capable bass sends uncanny and well-timed smile and well-balanced personality has won notes into the audience. Mike's admiration favour with Power fans. He is also one of the Don't get too enthusiastic about the great rolling Canadian record industry. and respect for his instrument is. quite obvious zany characte(s in today's musical business. It may be a little negative of me, but "all that glitters is not gold" and other during his performance . His musi ea I tastes genera Ily run toward the than The Canadian Governments "Canada", I can honestly say that NOBODY is Jim Pauley's lightening fast control Beach Boy type material although he does hoarding great amounts of money in the bank, from Canadian records, and I mean on his guitar has earned him the respect of like the material the group is now using. NOBODY. The population of Canada is about 103 that of the United States. The his fellow musicians in Toronto . His solos The two brothers, Charles and Ralph, percentage of record sales in C:anada is approximately 63 of those in the United are something worth listening to , something are unlike. Ralph is the slave-driver of the States. Canadians don't buy as many records as do our neighbours to the south. that is different each time he does it, he is group, one of the organizers and the person If there have been more than 5 or 6 Canadian produced records that have learning all the time. responsible for making the boys work when sold more than 30,000 I can't name them. Meanwhile the cost of making a record At the front of the group is Grant Smith , they don't want to . Charlie is more easy go ing in Toronto and Montreal (the key pro<luction centres) is the highest rate in North the person responsible for all those teeny­ and likes to talk things out. Charlie studied America and possibly the world. boppers in front of the stage . His irresistible under the well -known jazz drummer, Ed Thigpen. Today (more than ever) there is a strong movement to change all this. As boyish smile and domineering sex appea I has Brian works at the Bud Matton Theatri ­ well as talk of a CANADIANIZED union for performers that would take into con­ made him a big hit with the opposite sex. His ca I Agency during the day and takes care of sideration our geographical and economical problems (with a view to crea~inp; onstage movem ents and interpretation of his the bookings for the group. His enthusiasm and MUCH MUCH more work for inusicians and singers) there is also a very strong materi aI ha s added new members to the group's sincerity has convinced many new club owners element working toward a regulated 553 Canadian content on radio (as is in force fan club. to book the Power. on television). For sometime now it was thought that the radio industry would The group, complete, is dressed in The Power are leaving shortly for a "shape up" by itself and logic might win out, but a stronger approach will be bright orange suits while Grant wears a I ight run of nightclub and one-niter appearances used from now on. blue or olive green one. The band has worked up and down the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard. While many have complained, a few have submitted briefs to both the out precise choreography in time with their They have added new arrangements and in· Secretary Of State and The Board Of Broadcast Governors. Many feel that the re­ music, that blended with Grant's actions , has struments and with their personality and cording of "Canada" by The Young Canada Singers was a great factor in moving the crowd wonder\ng what is going to happen dynamic showmanship, they're like the word the industry towards seeking regulated programming. Certainly the Canadian next and where it is going. to happen. POWER. They could be known as "The Power Government upstaged every record production company and every record company, from Canada". with the publically financed session and promotion campaign behind this record. The on-air promotion was nothing short of regulated airplay in the case of this record. Many wish to know why these privileges can't be extended to private en­ terprises. No one would dare suggest that the Government indulged in "PLUGOLA", BE A . ~~~::i but how many singles have had an advertising agency behind what resembles paid airplay? What could happen to the next privately produced disc with this kind of money behind it.? So Canadian records aren't good enough??? This particular one sold over rnn.-~£~~~J 250,000 records which the Beatles couldn't match. I don' t think the music industry ~~~ SUBSCRIBER TO would STOOP to being subsidized, but possibly the private investor would like the same breaks the Government gives itself. Sl \SSUES RPM MUSIC WEEKLY Time will tell, just exactly what will happen, but I'm putting my money $ 10. Cin Canada-BY AIR> behind a high percentage of regulated programming, and you might be looking for someone to blame, if you are a programmer. DON 'T LOOK TOO FAR fROM WHIRi THI ACTION IS l ON COLUMBIA RECORDS~ · 'IONIRIAl' .. f/s J 'LIFE IS A DRAG' . JOYCE HAHN' COLUMBIA C4-2l54 · MOTHERS OF INVENTION OPEN HARRIET WASSER HANDL ES NEW MUSICAL SPECTAC LE PROMOTION FOR GLO RIES NYC: The Mothers Of Invention open­ NYC: ·Harriet Wasser, well known ed their new musical spectacle, trade promo rep for the music industry, HlllD CANADAI "Absolutely Freee", which was en­ has taken on the duties of handling titled "Pigs & Repugnant" until 48 the trade promotion for newly signed hours before curtain time, at The Garrick. The musical is a Herb Cohen l'MlllF IRIKSDNI production which was conceived by the Head Mother, Frank Zappa. Re­ garding the last minute title change, Zappa insists that titles are meaning­ less and there is apparently no con­ DISCDVIR Ml_ nection with the release of their new Verve/ Folkways album, " Absolutely Freee", and claims it ''is sheer co­ incidence". Music and lyrics for the' AS I ·DISCDVIR show were all composed by Zappa, and include such candidates for show tune nostalgia as "Suzy Creamcheese': "What's Got Into You? ", "Hungry Freaks Daddy", " Call Any Vege­ CANADA IN THI table" and "Brown Shoes Don 't Make It". SE RGIO FRANCHI Date recording artists, The Glories. CAPITDl AlBUM TAPES CBC SPECIAL Their single, which has just been re­ Toronto: Rea Victor recording artist, leased in Canada, "I Stand Accused Sergio Franchi was in town last week, (Of Loving You)" is starting to make to tape a CBC-TV special, one of a a noise on both the r & b and pop series of 4 "Centennial International" scene. 'CANADA DBSIRVID' presenta lions, which are skedded for viewing the latter part of summer. Franchi's show, which was produced EVERY MOTHERS' SON SET FOR by Drew Crossand, has been dubbed, HEAVY TV SCH EDULE "Chow Mediterrean". The half hour NYC: Every Mothers' Son , who are show features the popular Italian currently ridin g the top of the charts singer performing many of his hits. with their first record release "Come Choral backing is supplied by The On Down To My Boat" (RPM 23) are Ivan Romanoff Singers and Ork. facing a heavy schedule of network TV appearances throughout the sum­ mer. They first came to the attention of television audiences when they appeared on "The Man From U.N.C.