Grant Smith & The Power
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | October 1966 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music recordings (singles and album) |
Grant Smith & The Power emerged as a prominent Canadian rock-soul ensemble from Toronto during the 1960s, gaining recognition for their successful cover of Jackie Edwards' "Keep On Running" and acting as a stepping stone for musicians who later became part of groups such as McKenna Mendelson Mainline and Motherlode.
Transition from Eddie Spencer to Grant Smith as lead
Initially established in October 1966 under the name Eddie Spencer & The Power, the founding members featured vocalist Eddie Spencer, organist Val Stevens, guitarist Les Morris, bassist Mike Harrison, drummer Charlie Miller, trumpeter Ralph Miller, and tenor saxophonist Jerry Mann. On December 31, 1966, Ellis Grant Smith took over the role of frontman from Spencer, while Jim Pauley succeeded Morris on guitar. Brian "Otis" Ayers, who had previously played with Ralph Miller in The Beau Keys, replaced Mann on saxophone. Soon after, Wayne "Stoney" Stone—formerly of E. G. Smith & The Express alongside Smith and Pauley—joined the band, establishing a unique dual-drummer arrangement.
The group rapidly developed a loyal fanbase throughout southern Ontario under the monikers E. G. Smith & The Power or Grant Smith & The Power. Following Charlie Miller’s exit in mid-1967, Wayne Stone assumed exclusive drumming responsibilities during a residency at a resort in Grand Bend, Ontario. Subsequently, the band toured clubs across Boston and upstate New York during the 1967 "Summer of Love." Upon their return to Toronto in September, guitarist Jon Palma replaced Pauley.
In the autumn of 1967, they recorded their first single: an R&B adaptation of "Keep On Running," a song previously popularized by The Spencer Davis Group, at Art Snider’s Sound Canada studios located in Don Mills. The flip side featured "Her Own Life," co-written by Smith and Stevens. This single was released in January 1968 through the independent Boo! Records label and was promptly followed by a second release: "Thinkin' About You" backed with "You Got What I Want," both penned by Toronto songwriter Al Rain. These sessions included contributions from guest saxophonist and musical director Steve Kennedy, who became a permanent member during their early 1968 tour in Boston.
While performing in New York City, the band secured a contract with MGM Records through Tony Orlando, leading to the spring release of "Thinkin' About You" on that label. During this timeframe, guitarist Kenny Marco joined the lineup, replacing Palma; Marco brought experience from his previous associations with The Upset and The Beau Keys alongside Ayers and Ralph Miller. On March 17, 1968, Grant Smith & The Power served as the opening act for The Hollies and Spanky & Our Gang at Toronto's O'Keefe Centre, before embarking on another segment of their U.S. tour the following month.
Harrison's departure to McKenna Mendelson Mainline
By summer, Steve Kennedy—formerly of Dianne Brooks, Eric Mercury and The Soul Searchers—became a full-time saxophonist with the band. After a performance in Huntsville, Ontario on October 13, Mike Harrison departed to join McKenna Mendelson Mainline. Val Stevens left soon after to create a jazz trio and later collaborated with Tucky Buzzard and Steve Hillage's Khan. Encouraged by Kennedy, the group enlisted fellow ex-Soul Searcher William "Smitty" Smith, who utilized bass pedals on his Hammond organ to streamline the ensemble’s size.
This lineup—comprising Grant Smith (vocals), Ralph Miller (trumpet), Brian Ayres and Steve Kennedy (saxophones), Ken Marco (guitar), Wayne Stone (drums), and William Smith (keyboards)—recorded most tracks for their album in November 1968, which included their initial single. Early in 1969 saw Marco, Kennedy, Smith, and Stone depart to establish Motherlode, achieving significant acclaim with "When I Die."
Subsequently, drummer Sonny "Jiggs" Bernardi (formerly of The Spirit Revue) and keyboardist Josef Chirowski (ex-Mandala and The Power Project) joined until February 1970 when both transitioned to Crowbar. Bassist Joe Agnello briefly became part of the band coming from the Lee Ashford Blues Band before returning to Leigh Ashford. Frank De Felice took over drumming duties briefly before moving on to Jericho in March 1970. Shortly thereafter, the band disbanded.
Recordings
- 45 - "Keep On Running" with the B-side "Her Own Life" (BOO 681), released in 1968
- 45 - "Thinkin’ About You" accompanied by "You Got What I Want" (MGM 13979), issued in 1968
- LP - Grant Smith & The Power (BOO 6802), launched in 1968