Original upload date: Sun, 18 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Sat, 04 Dec 2021 06:28:18 GMT
Bobby Kris & The Imperials were one of many bands to cut their teeth in Yorkville's R&B Scene of the mid to late 60's. Originally getting their start as J.S & The Imperials, they were led by singer Ji
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m Snowden and featured Pat Riccio Jr. on piano. Other original members were Al Waugh (Guitar), Brian Sefchek (Bass), saxophone players Jerry Shymanski (aka Mann) and John Crone, and finally Gordon MacBain (Drums). During the early part of 1965, the group underwent changes in personnel, which saw Gene Martynec replace Al Waugh and Rick Haynes replace Brian Sefchek. Around May 1965, the group changed name when Bobby Kris (real name: Bob Burrows), who was studying philosophy at the University of Toronto, joined as lead vocalist. (Originally the band had asked Jay Smith of The Majestics but he declined the offer). The group's debut single, a cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Walk On By" was released in November 1965 and reached #8 on Canada’s RPM chart early the following year. Their follow up was a cover of She Belongs To Me by Bob Dylan. This single failed to be as successful as that of the former's B-Side. In 1966 they had some true crosses with fame, opening up for Wilson Pickett at the Masonic Temple in March and The Lovin' Spoonful at Toronto’s Massey Hall in May. They were also one of 14 local groups to play at a 14-hour pop show at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on September 24, 1966. A final big milestone was the band supported Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs at the Club Kingsway in October 1966. In the spring of 1967 the band started to fragment. Gene Martynec left to form Kensington Market in May, and the band was never quite the same after that. They went through a few more line-up changes before finally calling it quits in 1969. Enjoy the B-Side of their first single Walk On By.
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