A Foot in Coldwater
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Alex Machin, Bob Horne, Paul Naumann, Danny Taylor, Hughie Leggat |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Website | afootincoldwater |
A Foot in Coldwater, frequently abbreviated as AFIC, was a Canadian rock ensemble that gained prominence during the 1970s and 1980s.
The founding members consisted of Alex Machin (lead vocals), Bob Horne (keyboards), Paul Naumann (guitar), Danny Taylor (drums), and Hughie Leggat (bass guitar and vocals). The band is primarily recognized for their hit track "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want," which achieved chart success in Canada in both 1972 and 1974, and was honored with induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
History
Originating in Toronto in 1970, the group was formed through the merger of musicians from three different bands—Nucleus, the Lords of London, and Island. They secured a contract with Frank Davies' Daffodil Records, which was responsible for naming the band "A Foot in Coldwater."
Their self-titled debut album, A Foot in Coldwater (1972), featured the single "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want," which reached the top 25 on Canadian charts. The subsequent album, The Second Foot in Coldwater (1973), delivered singles such as "(Isn't Love Unkind) In My Life" (peaking at No. 34) and "Love is Coming" (No. 27), which saw moderate success. Their third release, All Around Us (1974), contained an edited version of their signature song that also charted domestically. After issuing the single "Midnight Lady" in 1976, Daffodil Records declared bankruptcy, leaving the band without label support; around this period, keyboardist Bob Horne exited the group.
In 1977, A Foot in Coldwater released "Breaking Through" under Anthem Records; however, it did not achieve commercial success, prompting the band's dissolution. They briefly regrouped for tours in 1988. Additionally, the heavy metal band Helix recorded a cover of "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" in 1984. In 1998, Unidisc Music re-released A Foot in Coldwater's initial three albums along with a two-disc anthology titled The Very Best of A Foot in Coldwater.
Members
Alex Machin: Lead vocals
Associated acts: Christopher Edward Campaign, Island, Nucleus, A Foot In Coldwater, Character, Champion, Moxy.
Paul Naumann (April 8, 1952 – October 20, 2009): Guitarist and occasional bassist
Involved with Buttergarden, Leather, Island, Nucleus, A Foot In Coldwater, Character, Steppenwolf (1979).
Hughie Leggat: Bass guitar, guitars, occasional vocals
Participated with Lords of London, Nucleus, A Foot In Coldwater, Thunder Road, Private Eye, Leggat, The Mississippi Hippies.
Bob Horne: Keyboardist
Member of Lords Of London, Nucleus, A Foot In Coldwater.
Danny Taylor: Drummer and percussionist with occasional vocal duties
Involved with Lords Of London, Nucleus, A Foot In Coldwater, Gus, Leggat, Ryan Brothers.
Ron Charles McBride: Backup vocalist
Associated with A Foot In Coldwater.
Albums
- A Foot in Coldwater
Daffodil SBA 16012, 1972; Reached No. 30 on Canada charts
CD release by Unidisc AGEK 2158 in 1998
- The Second Foot in Coldwater
Daffodil SBA 16028, 1973; Peaked at No. 41 on Canada charts
CD issued by Unidisc AGEK 2159 in 1998
- All Around Us
Daffodil DAF 10048, 1974; Achieved No. 10 on Canada charts; No. 63 on year-end rankings
CD released by Unidisc AGEK 2160 in 1998
- Breaking Through
Anthem ANR 1 1008, 1977
- Footprints Vol. 1
Daffodil DFN 665, 1983
CD format BEI BEIBD 25
- Footprints Vol. 2
Daffodil DFN 666, 1983
CD format BEI BEIBD 26
- The Very Best of A Foot in Coldwater (2CD)
Unidisc AGEK 2 2161 CD release in 1998
Singles
- "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" / "Alone Together"
DFS 1017 1972; Reached No. 33 on Canada charts
- "(Isn't Love Unkind) In My Life" / "Deep Freeze"
DFS 1028 1972; UK release: Island WIP 6162 (March 1973); Peaked at No. 34 in Canada
- "Lady True" / "In Heat"
DFS 1033 1973; Attained No. 67 on Canada rankings
- "Love Is Coming" / "How Much Can You Take"
DFS 1040 1973; Charted at No. 27 in Canada
- "So Long" / "Who Can Stop Us Now"
DFS 1046 1973
- "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" / "Para-Dice"
DFS 1058 1974; Reached No. 33 on Canada charts
- "I Know What You Need" / "He's Always There (Watching You)"
DIL 1065 1974; Peaked at No. 76 in Canada
- "Midnight Lady" / "All Around Us"
DFS 1216-1068 1975
- "Keep A Candle Burning" / "It's Only Love"
DFS 1087 1976
- "Breaking Through" / "Play My Guitar"
ANS 002 1977
See also
Other sources