Biography
In Ottawa during 1963, vocalist Dean Hagopian, guitarist Vern Craig, bassist Brian Rading, and drummer/vocalist Rick Bell assembled the Staccatos. After Hagopian exited, Les Emmerson entered on vocals and guitar, soon establishing himself as the group's chief songwriter. Capitol issued their 1965 single "Small Town Girl," which preceded the 1966 debut album Initially. Mike Bell, Rick's brother and likewise a drummer/vocalist, then joined the lineup. The band next cut the 1967 album A Wild Pair in tandem with the Guess Who. Late in 1968 keyboardist Ted Gerow came aboard, Vern Craig left, and the ensemble adopted the new name Five Man Electrical Band. Under that banner they delivered a self-titled album in 1969 along with the single "It Never Rains on Maple Lane," followed by Good-Byes & Butterflies in 1971, Coming of Age in 1972, and Sweet Paradise in 1973. Once the group disbanded, Les Emmerson launched the Emmerson Electrical Band, later formed Blue Blood, and recorded with Cooper, King & Emmerson. On December 10, 2021, he died at age 77 in an Ottawa hospital from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Albums