cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl
Classic Vinyl
DEE AND THE YEOMEN (ROCK SHOW OF THE YEOMEN) & THE FIVE D
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Dee and the Yeomen
1st Train Home 45 Cancut Label
You Should Know Wolff
Afraid Of Love/Village Girl 45 REO Label
The Yeomen consisted of: from England, Graham (Dee) Dunnett/vocals, from Fort William Ontario, Terry Watkinson/organ and from Montreal, Len Lytwyn/drums/vocals--this very popular group was based at the coffee house "Night Owl" in Toronto's Yorkville area in the early '60's ---they played at all the surrounding area high school's and clubs plus work in Montreal, Calgary and the East Coast. Keyboardist Terry Watkinson would go on to play with Max Webster in the mid 70's
Front man Dee originally from England played the Star Club in Hamburg with Johnny Neal and the Starliners and shared the bill with The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers---toured around France, the US and then headed to Canada to form The Yeomen---they made Toronto their home---they received lots of chart action, a huge following with fan clubs in the USA, Canada, Peru and Australia
Way back in '68-'69 one of the top bands to hit our High School was The Yeomen---just an amazing live act, all band members played tom toms to start off the opening set, complete with strobe lights and leslie organ --all great action to set off a night of music and dancing.
They managed to release 8 45's from 1965-1967 Say Baby/You Should Know It--Take The First Train Home/Why,Why,Why--A Love Like Mine/Begone Begone--Baby It's All Worthwhile/Broken Hearted Melody--In A Minute Or Two/Afraid Of Love--Someday You'll Need Someone/ Send Some Flowers To Julie (band renamed Dee And The Quotum)--this Was Meant To Be/The Greatest Story Ever Told (band renamed Daybreak)
Ottawa's Fifth Dimension started out in Ottawa 1965 but had to change their name to The Five D to avoid problems with the famous American act of the same name. Huge lineup of band members, here are the first generation: Jack Arsenault/rhythm guitar/vocals, Brian Brian Bradfield/drums, Brad Campbell/bass/vocals, Dave Poulin/lead vocals, Keith Richardson/guitar/vocals, Colleen Peterson/guitar/vocals.
The band were part of the televised 1967 Centennial Celebrations on Parliament Hill where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in attendance. The band was also given its own weekly TV show on CFTO for several months in 1967.
The Five D released 3 45's--Baby Boy/Good Time Music--Running 'Round In Circles/Get Out Of My Life Woman and She Can't Be My Girl/Freeloader all on RCA Records---Get Out OF My Life Woman was also a song played by The Strange Brew in their 3rd Set way back in 67 (this columnist old rock band)
The bands final concert in July of '67 was backing such acts as The Who, the Troggs, The Ohio Express and a TV special by CFTO which never aired. The members went their separate ways but for another great 60's band, they had a short sweet run at fame.
Help Preserve Canadian Music, log onto http://www.mouseholemusic.com/OttawaBands.htm and you will find an amazing selection of Canadian music for sale on cd's and some waiting to be re released
This week if you like, log onto this Awesome Internet radio site to listen to both of these great garage bands from the early 60's Dee and the Yeomen and The Five D http://www.archive.org/details/BunkyBackFromThe...nEpisode006 just click on the play button arrow to listen to Bunky's "Back from the Bin" episode
Also click on this older ebay auction which is linked to play a music clip of Dee And The Yeomen's 1965 hit "You Should Know It" it is a very early tune before they were known as The Yeomen http://cgi.ebay.com/Canada-Garage-Mersey-45-DEE...mdZViewItem
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca <bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" title="Go to http://ca.mc392.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" target="_blank">http://ca.mc392.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca>> or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl
Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.
