Steel River (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 in Toronto, Canada |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | Partial reunion in 1980 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Steel River was a rock ensemble from Canada, originating in Toronto and predominantly active throughout the 1970s.
Background
Initially formed in 1965 as a part-time R&B club outfit named The Toronto Shotgun, the group transitioned to a full-time commitment by 1969 under the name Steel River. The members included vocalist John Dudgeon, keyboard player Bob Forrester, bassist Rob Cockell, guitarist Tony Dunning, along with drummers Ray Angrove and Dennis Watson. Their debut single, "Ten Pound Note," co-authored with Jay Telfer of A Passing Fancy and released through Tuesday Records under the guidance of Greg Hambleton, achieved a Top 10 position in Canada and held the #79 spot nationally for the year.
Career
By late 1970, Steel River, together with fellow Tuesday Records artists Madrigal, embarked on tours across Quebec and the Maritime provinces. They also participated in a charity event at Massey Hall organized by CKFH, sharing the stage with performers such as Ronnie Hawkins. In 1971, their subsequent album was issued via Evolution Records; its single "Southbound Train" was marketed uniquely with a toy train package distributed by Quality Records.
The band maintained an international touring schedule until their breakup in 1974, which included a tour spanning 14 U.S. states. A partial reunion of four original members occurred in 1980 to release the single "Armoured Car." Lead singer John Dudgeon later pursued solo endeavors, releasing "Put My Arms Around You" in 1983, which garnered considerable radio play across Canada and the United States.
In 2013 and 2014, Axe Records—revived by producer Greg Hambleton—reissued Steel River's albums A Better Road and a remixed version of Weighin' Heavy.
Singles
- 1970 - "Ten Pound Note" / "Momma Pie Blues" (Tuesday) GH-101 [#5 CAN]
- 1971 - "Walk by the River" / "If You Let Her Know" (Tuesday) GH-105
- 1971 - "Southbound Train (Stand Up)" / "A Lie" (Tuesday) GH-110 [#28 CAN]
- 1971 - "Mexican Lady" / "Joyful Judy" (Tuesday) GH-113
- 1974 - "Just Remember" / "Lazin' Children" (Axe) AXE-14
- 1980 - "Armoured Car" / "Hold Me Close" (Axe) AXE-60
- 1980 - "We Want You to Love Us" / "Keep Movin' On" (Axe) AXE-61
Albums
- 1970 - Weighin' Heavy (Tuesday) GHL-1000
- 1971 - A Better Road (Tuesday) GHL-1003 and (Evolution) 3006 (US)
- 1979 - Armoured Car (Axe Records Limited) AXM-1001
- 2014 - A Better Road [Re-issue] (Axe Records) A534
- 2015 - Weighin' Heavy [Re-issue] (Axe Records) A536
- 2015 - Armoured Car [Re-issue] (Axe Records digital download) DL-A540
Compilation tracks
- 1990 - "Ten Pound Note" featured on Made in Canada: Volume One - The Early Years (BMG) KCD1-7156
External links and sources
- Musical groups established in 1969
- Musical groups disestablished in 1974
- Musical groups reestablished in 1980
- Musical groups from Toronto
- Rock music groups from Toronto
- Canadian rock music groups
- 1969 establishments in Ontario
- 1974 disestablishments in Ontario
- 1980 establishments in Ontario
- Axe Records artists
- Tuesday Records artists