Cats Can Fly
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | North York, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Cats Can Fly was a Canadian pop rock ensemble active during the 1980s, with a single album released in 1986.
The group initially formed under the name Ethos in 1971 at Elia Junior High School located in North York, Ontario. The original lineup consisted of Jim Longmuir and Alan Frizell on guitars, Frank Miller handling drums, and Peter Alexander playing bass guitar. Following several personnel changes and a naming conflict with an American band, they adopted the name Scamp. As Scamp, they toured across Canada performing as a bar band, achieving modest success that included touring alongside Burton Cummings and winning the CFTR Talent Search. Management duties were later shared by Laura Lapedus along with Wayne Baguley and Warren Keach.
In 1980, Scamp recorded an album under the production of Jack Richardson; however, distribution complications prevented its release. After multiple drummer replacements, Eddie Zeeman became the permanent drummer in 1982, coinciding with the band's rebranding as Cats Can Fly. The definitive lineup featured David Ashley on lead vocals and bass, Mitchell James on lead guitar, Peter Alexander on keyboards, and Zeeman on drums. They independently issued the EP Touch Touch in 1984 and secured a contract with CBS Records following their victory in a nationwide talent competition sponsored by Craven A.
Their eponymous album Cats Can Fly was launched by CBS Records in 1986, co-produced by Lou Pomanti and Lenny DeRose. This release spawned singles such as "Flipping to the A Side," which climbed to number 16 on Canadian charts, while "Lies Are Gonna Get Ya" and "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" each reached number 88. The band conducted extensive tours throughout Canada, headlining shows as well as supporting acts like Level 42. The album remained on the charts for 20 weeks, peaking at position 48. In 1986, Cats Can Fly earned a Juno Award nomination for Most Promising Group.
Despite these accomplishments, CBS Records dropped the band amid a significant corporate restructuring prior to its acquisition by Sony Music Entertainment in 1988. After unsuccessful attempts to sign with another label, Cats Can Fly ultimately disbanded.
Studio albums
- Touch Touch (EP) (1984)
- Cats Can Fly (1986) – CAN #48
Singles
- "Father Was a Foreigner" / "Touch Touch" (1984)
- "Flippin' to the 'A' Side" (1986) – CAN #16
- "Lies Are Gonna Get Ya" (1986) – CAN #88
- "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" (1986) – CAN #88