Ralph Murphy Circa 1978

Bio

Name: Ralph Murphy
Year: 1978
Raised: (Chatham-Kent) Wallaceburg
Position: Performer, producer, songwriter & publisher.

Amongst many other projects, roles, & duties, highlights for Ralph Murphy this year include:

* 1978 – Moves to Nashville and began a joint venture publishing/production company with Roger Cook called PICALIC. The company achieved its first number one hit within a year with a song by Crystal Gayle called “Talking in Your Sleep”. Pic-A-Lic became one of the most successful independent publishers in Nashville and was eventually sold to EMI.
* 1978 – Vocal credits. Release: Zwol. Album: Zwol
* 1978 – Ralph Co produces: Walter Zwol – the song ‘A Little Bit Crazy’. & wrote Every Man For Himself.

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Email your info & pics to: chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
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MCM and Company 1978

Band: MCM and Company
Year: 1978
Home: Chatham Kent Area

Members
(Back Row L-R)
Doug Morrison – Guitar
Eugene Tremblay – Bass, Vocals
Charlie St. Denis – Drums
(Front Row)
Cassandra Vasik – Guitar, Vocals

Notes: This line up began in 1978.

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Email your info & pics to:  chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com

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Fowler Lockwood Band 2012

Band: Fowler Lockwood Band
Release: The Fowler Lockwood Band (CD)
Year Released: 2012
Formed: Circa 1977/78
Home: Chatham Ontario
Genre: Jazz, rock, instrumental

Members:
Tom Lockwood – Guitar, guitar synth
(Steve) Stephen Fowler – Guitar, guitar synth, & synth programming
Brent Hunter – Bass
Mark Tremblay – Keyboards
Pat Crone – Drums

This Cd contains music recorded between 1978-1991. All of the music was written between 1978 and 1982.
Dedicated to the memory of Stephen Fowler (1954-2011)

Mr. Fowler became interested in recording and began to document the bands original music. Besides a few studio sessions, the bulk of material was home recordings never released. A few of the songs were performed live also by the local band Quadrant. All the members were heavily involved in the live music scene at this time. Bands often performed three to six nights a week in those days without shortage of work or venues.
All members have recorded many works through the years as they began solo projects and formed other bands. The short list of bands include Tom Lockwood Band, The Force, Friends, Highwaze, Advanced Green, Manpower, Appliances, Ground Zero, Nexus, Harvest, Air Tight, Hero, Rebel, The Unit, Quadrant, Rosco, Red herring, Chickoree

Note: For information on getting a copy of this CD, email tomlockwood@hotmail.com

Watch the CD preview video below:

Fowler Lockwood Band 1978

Band: Fowler Lockwood Band
Year: 1978
Home: Chatham

Members:
Tom Lockwood – Guitar
(Steve) Stephen Fowler – Guitar
Brent Hunter – Bass
Mark Tremblay – Keyboards
Pat Crone – Drums

Notes:
1979: Lockwood/Fowler opens for Auger in 1979. They performed original music on this great night of rock jazz.

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Email us:
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The Force 1978 Chatham Band

Band: The Force
Year: 1978
Circa: 1977-1983

Members in 1978
Rick Rankin – guitar
Randy Young – bass
Pat Crone – drums
Tom Starks – keyboards
Dave Sass – sax
 The Force was formed in 1977 after the breakup of the band Beginings.

  Tom Starks on keys and Pat Crone on drums joined Rick Rankin (guitar) and Randy Young (bass). Bassist Brent Hunter replaced Randy Young in 1981. The band was in high demand and worked steadily, playing disco (they had to) and rock/top 40 music that was popular at the time at many local hotels, festivals, and special events in Chatham-Kent from 1977-1983.

  With a talented horn section consisting of Dave Sass, Jack Drobko, Bob Fazecash and Brian Murphy, The Force had a large and unique songlist. About 10 times each year, the band put on themed shows with special guests Craig (Pork) Koehler and Ed Smitchen, “The Fast Fried Pork Revue”. They added musical comedy  that was zany, hilarious and often strayed from the script.  The shows were authentically costumed thanks to Ed and his family.
  The movie Star Wars opened in `77 and was the inspiration for a series of “Summer Trek” concerts (Gross Encounters of the Force Kind).
Hallowe’en productions were a specialty. Parodies of popular movies like Star Wars, The Blues Brothers, The Rocky Horror Picture Show were performed at places like the Tilt’n Hilton in Erieau, the CAW Hall, the Tecumseh Hotel, the Turf Room, and the Thames Theatre (opening for Max Webster).
 
 When The Force and Hatrick bands split up in 1983, new bands Advance Green, Texas and Manpower were formed.
Thank You to Mr. Crone for the information.

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Trogen 1978 Band

Band: Trogen 
Year: 1978
Home: Chatham Ontario

Members:
Jeff Parker (Formerly of Free Ride)
Ted Masters
Wayne McDermid

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Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires 1978

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Band: The Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires
Year: 1978-1979
Home: Chatham Ontario
Genre: Country.

Members:
Ray Trahan – Drums
Patricia-Gail Lozon – Vocals
Ray Myers – Vocals and  rhythm guitar
Ernie Marchand – Pedal steel
Roland Myers – Bass and vocals
Roland Lozon – Lead guitar, fiddle

  While the band continues to perform at local clubs and events, they have been landing big shows and new experiences to their enjoyment of being musicians.
 
  In 1978 and 1979, the band was on the bill for some of the biggest country music shows in Canada. They were Canadian guests for the travelling “Grand Ole Opry Show. In 1978, they played Halifax, Moncton and Fredericton in (June 16, 17, 18). In March of 1979, they played Kitchener and the London Gardens. The big show included Grant Turner, MINNIE PEARL, Stonewall Jackson, Archie Campbell, Jeanne Pruett, Red Sovine, Jim and Jesse, The Stonemans, Jack Greene, Jeanne Seely, Marie Bottrell, Jimmy C. Newman, Penny DeHaven, Ray Pillow, Charlie Walker, Roy Drusky, Ronny Robbins, Tammy Wynette, The Stoney Mountain Cloggers. Canadian Guests included “Roger Quick and the Rainbows”, and “The Myers Brothers and The Jubilaires”.

  1979 also marked when the guys became involved with the Belle River Singing and Fiddle Contest held annually. The event consistently draws thousands of people and involves musicians from far and wide.
From 1979 to 1981 they performed under their current band name. They would go on to play the event until 1989 under their future band names “Jubilaires II” and “Front Page News”.

Note: The group released an LP in 1968 and many singles (45rpm’s) the following year.

By S.Beaulieu

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Melody Ramblers 1978

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Band: Melody Ramblers
Home: Chatham Ontario
Circa: 1978
Style: Country Covers
Band History: Ran from 1953-1994 with various line ups.

Members:
(Back Row)
Bruno Pinsonault – Bass
Mark Buckwheat – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Larry St.Pierre – Drums
Dan St.Pierre – Guitar
(Front Row)
Dennis Smith

Notes: Mark Buckwheat would later join the band Home Grown.

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Pitts Family (Circa 1978)

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Band: Pitts Family
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada
Circa: 1978

Members: (L-R)
Norman Pitts – Guitar, Vocals
Francine Pitts – Keyboards
Daniel Pitts – Drums
Francois Pitts – Bass

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