A Passing Fancy
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Brian Price |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music recordings (singles and album) |
A Passing Fancy was a Toronto-based Canadian group active during the mid-1960s, led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Jay Telfer alongside Brian Price.
Early years
In July 1965, Brian Price (organ, vocals) established the Dimensions at Downsview Secondary School, enlisting brothers Jay (rhythm guitar) and Ian Telfer (bass), Phil Seon (guitar), and Greg Hershoff (drums). Under the management of Bernie Finkelstein, who would later become president of True North Records, the Dimensions secured the role of house band at Cafe El Patio located in Yorkville Village. Following Finkelstein's departure in January 1966 to manage The Paupers, the band adopted the name A Passing Fancy.
Ian Telfer was succeeded by Rick Mann on bass, and this refreshed lineup performed extensively throughout the local scene. Connections made through fan club president Barb Young introduced them to Walter Honsberger, a record store owner, and Dan Bartollini of Wal-Dan Management, who helped polish their musical style and image. This collaboration culminated in a contract for three singles with Columbia Records. Their initial release under this agreement, I'm Losin' Tonight, achieved nationwide success in Canada.
In September 1966, Steve Wilson took over drumming duties from Hershoff. The band maintained a steady presence at venues such as the Night Owl, Gogue Inn, Club 888, and Blue Fox, cultivating a strong local fanbase through late 1966 into early 1967.
Singles success and playing Expo
The band's first single, Telfer's composition I'm Losing Tonight, launched in February 1967, climbed to No. 22 on the CHUM chart. Its successor, You're Going Out Of Your Mind, reached No. 37 by June, while their third single, I Believe in Sunshine, attained No. 28 in September. By this period, Louis Pratile had replaced Wilson as drummer.
During the summer of 1967, A Passing Fancy performed at Expo '67 in Montreal alongside local group Les Tetes Blanches. Columbia Records supported a fourth single titled People In Me, which peaked at No. 48 in December.
Internal disagreements emerged when Price opposed Telfer's insistence on rigorous rehearsals; consequently, Price departed in March 1968 to focus on a dental career. As the band's founder and business strategist, his exit profoundly impacted Seon and Mann. Fergus Hambleton (organ/vocals) and Brian Smith (guitar) joined as replacements, but the group's cohesion weakened.
Following appearances on CBC and participation in the first color broadcast of the Let's Go TV show, Wal-Dan management informed Telfer that he was no longer part of the ensemble. Shortly thereafter, Seon and Mann also exited; by June 1968, all remaining members had left.
Fergus Hambleton period
In July 1968, Wal-Dan management reassembled A Passing Fancy around Fergus Hambleton with new members Ron Forster (guitar), Dan Troutman (bass), Wally Cameron (drums), and Glenn Brown (lead vocals). This iteration recorded four tracks which were submitted to John Irvine of Boo Records. Irvine compiled enough material for an album and issued the single "Your Trip," though it experienced limited sales.
The self-titled album featuring all previous Columbia singles—including an alternate version of "I'm Losing Tonight"—was released in November 1968. Despite maintaining a residency at El Patio into early 1969, both album and single failed to achieve commercial success. The band ultimately dissolved by June 1969.
Aftermath
Original band member Jay Telfer embarked on a solo journey, recording an album in 1969 that remained unreleased. This project featured collaborations with artists from Kensington Market, Milkwood, Murray McLauchlan, and Kevin Staples, known for his work with Rough Trade. Additionally, Telfer and Hambleton teamed up to record "Come Together" under the name Goody Two Shoes for Allied Records. Telfer went on to release multiple singles and the 1974 album Time Has Tied Me on Axe Records, which included contributions from McLauchlan, Tomlinson, Mollin, Mann, Hambleton, and Staples.
In 1975, Telfer relocated to Los Angeles, where he briefly married actress Bonnie Bedelia. He subsequently worked as a screenwriter for Cannon Films, contributing to the 1977 movie Kid Vengeance. Returning to Toronto in 1979, he authored the CBC production You've Come a Long Way, Katie, which addressed the subject of cross-addiction. Jay Telfer passed away in May 2009.
Brian Price completed his dental degree in 1972 and practiced dentistry for eight years before founding Tridont Dental Centres in 1980. The company grew to encompass 107 locations throughout Canada. Price notably challenged advertising restrictions within his profession before the Supreme Court of Canada in 1990. That same year, he transitioned from healthcare to establish Parkhurst Products Inc., a manufacturer of hockey cards. Currently, he owns In The Game, Inc., a sports card and memorabilia enterprise based in Vaughan, Ontario.
Hambleton continued his solo career and performed with groups such as Rain, The Basics, and the reggae ensemble The Sattalites. Meanwhile, drummer Wally Cameron and lead vocalist Glenn Brown had brief stints with Leigh Ashford.
Rick Mann reverted to his birth name Richard Fruchtman and played bass for the influential Canadian blues group Whiskey Howl between 1970 and 1972. He later freelanced with various artists including Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Paul Shaffer, Doug Henning, The Diamonds, Doug Kershaw, Dan Hill, King Biscuit Boy (Richard Newell), Tony Kosinec, and String Band.
A Passing Fancy reunited for a single performance in Toronto’s Yorkville district in 1988.
In later years, Telfer took on the role of publisher and editor for the antiques publication Wayback Times.
JAMES TELFER died on 20 May 2009 at age 60.
Singles
- "I'm Losing Tonight" b/w "A Passing Fancy" (Columbia 2729) 1967 CAN No. 52
- "You're Going Out of My Mind" b/w "Sounds Silly" (Columbia 2755) 1967
- "I Believe In Sunshine" b/w "She Phoned" (Columbia 2767) 1967 CAN No. 50
- "People In Me" b/w "Spread Out" (Columbia 2772) 1967 CAN No. 89
- "Island" b/w "Your Trip" (Boo 684) 1968 CAN No. 92
Albums
- A Passing Fancy (Boo 6801) 1968