Simon Caine
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Peter Shields (Simon Caine) |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Funk and soul music |
Simon Caine was a Toronto-based funk and soul ensemble with a brief existence, producing only one album in 1970. Several members later gained recognition as prominent session musicians within Canada's music industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s, collaborating with notable artists such as Bruce Cockburn, David Wiffen, and Murray McLauchlan.
Early years
Vocalist Peter Shields, also known by the stage name Simon Caine, first attracted notice in 1966 with the group Simon Caine & The Catch. This lineup included bassist Dennis Pendrith, drummer John Savage, keyboardist Tom Sheret, and guitarist Bill Palmer. Pendrith temporarily departed during the summer to join Luke & The Apostles but returned later that fall.
During early 1967, the band regularly performed within Toronto’s club scene at venues like Boris', the Red Gas Room, and the Gogue Inn. They shared stages with local acts such as Jon and Lee & The Checkmates and The Paupers. By June, Pendrith had moved on to Livingstone's Journey, leaving The Catch to continue without him for a period.
Transfusion
In July 1968, Simon Caine and Tom Sheret established a rock group named Transfusion. The band featured guitarist Danny McBride (who later worked with Chris de Burgh), drummer Pat Little (formerly of Luke & The Apostles), and bassist Rick Shuckster. Transfusion became the resident band at Toronto’s Rock Pile.
Towards the end of 1968, they served as opening act for prominent groups including Blood, Sweat & Tears, Country Joe & The Fish, Procol Harum, the Jeff Beck Group, and Iron Butterfly. Caine exited the band before the year concluded and subsequently maintained a low profile in music.
Simon Caine returns
In October 1969, Peter Shields revived Simon Caine—this time dropping “The Catch” from the name—bringing back original members Bill Palmer, John Savage, and Dennis Pendrith, who had experience with groups such as Olivus, 3's a Crowd, and GNU. The reformed lineup added pianist Pat Godfrey from The Diplomats and wind instrumentalist Bruce Pennycook.
They secured a contract with RCA Victor and released the single “Walked Out The Door,” penned by Godfrey and Dave Richardson. This coincided with a December 1969 performance at Toronto’s Electric Circus. Throughout 1970, the band extensively toured southern Ontario and recorded an album at RCA Studios in Toronto under producer George Semkiw; this album was released in October.
That same month, Simon Caine resumed live performances at venues including the Night Owl and Ryerson Great Hall alongside Leigh Ashford. They were slated to perform at Maple Leaf Gardens for a major concert featuring artists such as Johnny Winter, Rare Earth, and Chilliwack, but withdrew due to disagreements over payment.
Although receiving positive critiques from the Toronto Telegram, their album failed to achieve commercial success. Early in 1971, the band began working on a follow-up album with a new producer but disbanded before its completion.
Aftermath
Dennis Pendrith became an integral part of backing bands for Bruce Cockburn and Murray McLauchlan, also contributing to David Wiffen’s 1973 release Coast To Coast Fever. He currently performs with the Bebop Cowboys and maintains ongoing collaborations with McLauchlan.
Pat Godfrey, Bruce Pennycook, and John Savage participated in Wiffen’s project as well as various other recording sessions during the 1970s.
Savage and Godfrey briefly collaborated with Bruce Cockburn, who himself contributed to sessions for Tom Rush. Godfrey later moved to Vancouver Island where he focused on composing scores for animated films while continuing his work as a pianist and composer.
Bill Palmer, originally from Liverpool, Nova Scotia and raised in Toronto, returned to the United States to work on home renovations in the Florida Keys. Contrary to earlier reports of his passing, Palmer (also known as Mouse) is alive and currently employed as an expert woodworker in North Carolina. Peter Shields transitioned into a career as a Catholic school teacher in Toronto. John Savage lives near Toronto engaged in construction and renovation projects. Bruce Pennycook resides in Austin, Texas, where he teaches composition at The University of Texas at Austin alongside sustaining a successful career in music composition.
Discography
- 45 Walked Out The Door with Scarlet Skies (RCA Victor 1044), released in 1969
- LP Simon Caine (RCA Victor 4410), issued in 1970