Stringband
| Company type | Independent music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Bob Bossin, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Jerry Lewycky |
| Defunct | 1986 (ceased regular activity) |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Area served | Canada, international audiences |
Key people | Bob Bossin, Marie-Lynn Hammond, Ben Mink, Terry King, Nancy Ahern, Zeke Mazurek, Calvin Cairns, Dennis Nichol, Jerry Lewycky, Nancy Ahern |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, compilations |
Stringband was a Canadian folk music group spearheaded by Bob Bossin and Marie-Lynn Hammond. Established in 1971, the ensemble produced four studio albums between 1973 and 1978 and remained actively touring until 1986, with sporadic reunions thereafter, the latest occurring in 2013. Over the years, members included Ben Mink, Terry King, Zeke Mazurek, Calvin Cairns, Dennis Nichol, Jerry Lewycky, and Nancy Ahern.
Recognized as trailblazers in Canada's independent music scene, Stringband was among the first to self-produce and control their album releases. Their repertoire featured songs that humorously addressed Canadian subjects. While none achieved mainstream commercial success, tracks such as "Dief Will Be the Chief Again"—a satirical homage to former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker—and the feminist anthem "Show Us The Length" garnered a cult following despite minimal radio exposure.
Formation and formative period (1971–1977)
Stringband originated in Toronto in 1971, founded by the core members Marie-Lynn Hammond (born 1948) and Bob Bossin (born 1946), alongside violinist Jerry Lewycky. Initially a provisional title, "Stringband" soon became their official name.
Beginning with performances in Ontario’s coffeehouses and university venues, the group expanded their reach to national and international audiences. They were notably engaged in activism, advocating for anti-war efforts and environmental issues.
Their first album, Canadian Sunset (1973), was independently issued under their own Nick Records label and reached #97 on the RPM Canadian album charts. Following this release, Lewycky departed and was succeeded by Ben Mink.
The follow-up album, National Melodies (1975), included hallmark songs like "Dief Will Be The Chief Again" and the daring "Show Us The Length." Despite interest, major Canadian record companies declined to sign them due to perceived limited commercial appeal. Encouraged by Al Mair of Attic Records, Bossin focused on direct sales through Nick Records. Throughout their career, Stringband retained full control over their original releases.
After National Melodies, Mink left to pursue other musical projects but later returned as a producer and mixer for Stringband as well as for Hammond’s solo work. His replacement on violin was Terry King.
Their third album, Thanks To The Following (1977), was financed through advance subscriptions from dedicated fans whose names were featured on the album cover.
Hammond’s departure and the "Whilom" Stringband phase (1978–1979)
At the close of 1977, Hammond exited Stringband to embark on a solo career. Early in 1978, several tracks were licensed to CBC Records, resulting in a 'best-of' collection titled Stringband Revisited—the sole release not issued via Nick Records.
Bossin brought singer-songwriter Nancy Ahern into the group as Hammond’s successor; however, respecting Hammond’s wishes, the trio initially performed under the name Whilom Stringband—with "whilom" signifying 'former.' By their fourth and final studio album in 1978, The Maple Leaf Dog, they dropped the "Whilom" prefix and released it simply as Stringband. This album was produced by former member Ben Mink, with Daniel Lanois—who would later gain prominence as a producer—handling engineering duties and contributing as a session musician.
In 1979, both Ahern and King departed, marking the end of Stringband’s era as a full-time group.
Hammond's comeback; era of 'part-time' touring (1980–1986)
After the exits of Ahern and King, Bossin invited Hammond to rejoin the group on the condition that Stringband shift to a part-time schedule, allowing her to focus on her solo endeavors and other pursuits. Bossin also committed to exploring some solo projects during this period. In 1980, the band expanded their lineup by adding violinist Zeke Mazurek and bassist Dennis Nichol, enabling them to resume selective touring and festival performances. That same year, they released Stringband Live!, which featured guest appearances from King, Ahern, and Mink.
The ensemble continued performing intermittently up until 1986. Prior to a 1983 tour in the Soviet Union, Calvin Cairns took over fiddle duties from Mazurek; a live cassette recording from this tour was issued under the title Across Russia By Stage.
Following their appearance at Vancouver’s Expo '86, Stringband ceased regular activity as Hammond and Bossin concentrated on their individual careers. Bossin kept producing music through Nick Records, while Hammond released material via her own label.
Reunion events (1991, 2001, 2007, 2013)
In 1991, Stringband celebrated their "20th Anniversary" with reunion concerts and launched The Old Masters, a cassette-only collection of their greatest hits. For their 30th anniversary—partly inspired by CBC Radio's Stuart McLean—they organized an expanded reunion featuring live performances and recorded four new tracks for The Indispensable Stringband, a comprehensive CD box set containing 46 songs released by Nick Records in 2002. This endeavor was supported by $25,000 contributed by friends and fans. The lineup for these new recordings consisted of Bossin, Hammond, Cairns, Nichol, and Mink.
In January 2007, Stringband briefly reconvened in Toronto to perform a benefit concert aiding Hammond after an equestrian accident impaired her vision. The same group reunited once more in July 2013 for a series of five shows across western Canada.
Tributes
Stringband’s repertoire developed a devoted cult audience over time. Among Bossin’s distinguished compositions are "Tugboats," "The Maple Leaf Dog," "Show us the Length," "Lunenberg Concerto," and "Daddy Was a Ballplayer." Hammond contributed notable songs such as "Vancouver," "Flying/Spring of ’44," "I Don’t Sleep with Strangers Anymore," "La jeune mariée," as well as the co-written piece with Bossin titled "Mrs. Murphy."
Gary Cristall emphasizes that although Stringband was not the first to depict Canadian themes in song, their work uniquely combined straightforwardness with artistic sophistication, weaving together emotion, history, and geography. Marie-Lynn offered an early feminist viewpoint that anticipated the late 1970s “women’s music” movement by narrating powerful stories centered on women’s experiences.
In 2001, Stuart McLean likened Stringband’s cultural influence to that of Canadian icons such as Gordon Lightfoot and Margaret Atwood, acknowledging their contribution to enhancing national pride. Cristall encapsulates their legacy as a triumph over foreign cultural dominance in music production within Canada, pioneering independent recording practices domestically and inspiring countless artists through a collection of some of the country’s finest songs.
Studio albums
- Canadian Sunset, 1973
- National Melodies, 1975
- Thanks to the Following, 1977
- The Maple Leaf Dog, 1978
Live albums
- Stringband Live!, 1980
- Across Russia by Stage, 1983
Compilations
- Stringband Revisited, released in 1978
- The Old Masters: Stringband 20th Anniversary, issued in 1991
- The Essential Stringband, published in 2001