Bobby Kris & The Imperials
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Bobby Kris & The Imperials were a folk-rock ensemble from 1960s Toronto, recognized for their regional success with a rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's tune "Walk On By".
Origins
Initially called J.S. & The Imperials, the group was fronted by vocalist Jim Snowdon and featured pianist Pat Riccio Jr., who was succeeded in 1964 by Marty Fisher. The original lineup also included guitarist Al Waugh, bassist Brian Sefchek, saxophonists Jerry Shymanski (also known as Mann) and John Crone, along with drummer Gordon MacBain. Early in 1965, the band underwent personnel changes with Gene Martynec taking over guitar duties from Waugh and Rick Haynes stepping in for Sefchek on bass.
Transformation into Bobby Kris & The Imperials
In May 1965, the group adopted a new identity when Bobby Kris (Bob Burrows), then studying philosophy at the University of Toronto, became their lead singer. Dave Konvalinka (known as Dave Wayne) replaced Haynes on bass, while Rick Loth succeeded Crone on saxophone. Haynes eventually went on to collaborate with Gordon Lightfoot. One of the initial performances featuring this lineup took place at the Purple Candle Club in Wasaga Beach on August 7, 1965.
Their first single, a cover of Walk On By, was released in November 1965 and climbed to No. 8 on Canada's RPM chart by early 1966. The subsequent single, a rendition of Bob Dylan's She Belongs To Me, did not achieve comparable success. Additionally, they recorded an orange juice commercial that was never released.
In early 1966, they served as the opening act for Wilson Pickett at Toronto's Masonic Temple, where Jimi Hendrix played guitar for Pickett, and later supported The Beach Boys during a show in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay).
Collaboration with the ballet
In a unique partnership, the band performed at the O'Keefe Centre on April 13, 1966, providing live music in the lobby during intermission alongside the Canadian National Ballet Company.
On May 8, 1966, Bobby Kris & The Imperials opened for The Lovin' Spoonful at Toronto's Massey Hall. Shortly thereafter, Wayne Davis (born April 28, 1946, Toronto), formerly of The Just Us, replaced Dave Wayne who departed to join The Majestics. Both Loth and Shymanski exited around this time; Loth later became part of the Silhouettes under Doug Reilly's leadership (Dr. Music).
With this revised ensemble, they performed frequently throughout Toronto, although no additional singles were produced. They were one of fourteen local bands featured at a marathon 14-hour pop concert held at Maple Leaf Gardens on September 24, 1966. The next month saw former member Jerry Shymanski joining Eddie Spencer & The Power, which eventually transformed into Grant Smith & The Power.
On October 22, 1966, Bobby Kris & The Imperials supported Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs at Toronto's Club Kingsway alongside acts such as The Ugly Ducklings and The Ardels.
Band dissolution
By spring 1967, the group began to disband. Martynec departed in May to establish Kensington Market and was replaced by Jimmy Oskirko, previously with The Majestics. This iteration explored more experimental sounds and frequently played at the Concord Tavern, including performing a cover of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life". They also opened for Jose Feliciano at Massey Hall.
By September of that year, the band had disbanded completely. Fisher and MacBain joined Bruce Cockburn's ensemble, Flying Circus. Meanwhile, Kris took over from Jimmy Livingston in Livingston's Journey in late October; Davis became part of 3's a Crowd in December.
Bobby Kris reassembled the group
Around the middle of 1968, Bobby Kris brought the band back together, including MacBain, Oskirko, Davis, and Larry Leishman, who had previously played guitar for Jon and Lee & The Checkmates (born April 4, 1947, in Dunfermline, Scotland). Their renewed lineup debuted with a performance at the Night Owl on June 13–14, 1968. This iteration of the band remained active for roughly one year, concluding with a series of shows at the Night Owl from June 19 to 21, 1969, before ultimately dissolving.
Following this period, Leishman went on to become a member of Rhinoceros, while MacBain relocated to England to join Peter Quaife's post-Kinks project, Mapleoak.
Discography
- Single: "Walk On By" b/w "Travelling Bag" (Columbia 2672) 1965 [#8 CAN]
- Single: "She Belongs To Me" b/w "A Year From Today" (Columbia 2687) 1966
- EP: Bobby Kris... Now (Willow Music) December 1995
General references
- Coverage in the Toronto Telegram, January 20, 1966, page 9
- Interviews conducted by Nick Warburton with Marty Fisher (2004) and Gordon MacBain (2006)