The Mynah Birds

The Mynah Birds

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1964 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Defunct	1967
Headquarters	Toronto , Canada
Products	Music recordings, singles

The Mynah Birds were a Canadian R&B ensemble originating from Toronto, Ontario, active between 1964 and 1967. Despite not issuing a full album, the group is distinguished for featuring artists such as Rick James and Neil Young, who later gained prominence in rock, folk rock, and funk genres.

The band's most recognized roster consisted of Rick James, Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, Rickman Mason, and John Taylor. Rick James rose to fame as a leading funk artist during the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, Young and Palmer co-founded the seminal West Coast folk rock outfit Buffalo Springfield. Following his time with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Neil Young established a successful solo career. Goldy McJohn and Nick St. Nicholas subsequently became members of the rock group Steppenwolf. A later iteration of the Mynah Birds in late 1967 included rocker Neil Merryweather.

History

The Mynah Birds emerged from a 1964 ensemble led by Jimmy "Liver" Livingston (1941–2002), featuring guitarist Ian Goble, drummer Rick Cameron, organist John Goadsby (known professionally as Goldy McJohn), and bassist Nick Kassbaum (also known as Nick St. Nicholas).

In the early 1960s, James Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves but absconded to Toronto in 1964. Local musicians Levon Helm and Garth Hudson assisted him in integrating into the music community there. To avoid detection, he adopted the stage name Ricky Matthews at the suggestion of Shirley Matthews. His initial band, The Sailorboys, evolved into the Mynah Birds through several lineup changes.

An early formation including Rick James, St. Nicholas, Rick Cameron, and guitarist Frank Arnel recorded "The Mynah Birds Song" for Columbia Records late in 1964; this was later replaced by "The Mynah Birds Hop" as the single's lead track. Released in Canada in early 1965, the single did not achieve commercial success.

Bruce Palmer joined after a bassist swap involving Jack London & The Sparrows. Following a split, Rick James and Palmer reassembled the band by incorporating Brantford’s Bunkies—drummer Rickman Mason and guitarists Tom Morgan and John Taylor. In January 1966, Neil Young replaced Morgan. Livingston departed in April 1965 to pursue other local musical projects.

In early 1966, the Mynah Birds secured a contract with Motown Records. Bruce Palmer invited folk musician Neil Young to join prior to recording sessions. Although their intended single "I've Got You In My Soul" was shelved due to its resemblance to a song by 'Them', they completed "It's My Time" for Motown’s V.I.P. imprint.

After dismissing their manager over misappropriation of funds, he reported Rick James as AWOL from the Navy, leading to James’ arrest. Consequently, Motown withheld release of "It's My Time" and abandoned album plans. Subsequently, Neil Young and Bruce Palmer relocated to Los Angeles where they formed Buffalo Springfield—a chapter later referenced in Young’s track "Mr. Soul". The unreleased single eventually appeared officially on Motown compilations from 2006 onward.

To satisfy contractual commitments, the remaining band members enlisted new players including Tom Morgan, vocalist Mark Smith, and bassist John Klassen. They continued performing throughout various Ontario venues until mid-1966.

Following his release from military detention in May 1967, Matthews reformed the Mynah Birds with Neil Lillie (known as Merryweather), Al Morrison, Vernon Wayne Pickell, and Bill Ross. This lineup recorded another version of "It's My Time" for Motown but disbanded amid internal disputes and Matthews’ subsequent arrest.

Matthews later returned to Motown as producer for Bobby Taylor’s Taylor Made Soul album, adopting the stage name Rick James.

The 2017 digital compilation Motown Unreleased 1966 features two additional Mynah Birds tracks: "I Got You (In My Soul)" and "I'll Wait Forever".

Singles

Year	Title	Label
1965	"The Mynah Bird Hop"/"The Mynah Bird Song"	Columbia

Compilation Appearances

Year	Track	Compilation	Label	Remarks
2006	"It's My Time"	The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966	Hip-O	* recorded during 1966
	"Go On and Cry"
2016	"I Got You (In My Soul)"	Motown Unreleased: 1966	Motown
	"I'll Wait Forever"

See also

• Music of Canada

Bibliography

• Chong, Kevin. Neil Young nation. Greystone Books, 2005. pp. 128-132. ISBN 9781553651161.
• McDonough, Jimmy. Shakey: Neil Young's Biography. Random House of Canada, 2003. ISBN 9780679311935.
• Goldy McJohn Biography. Official site.

External links

• Feature on canadianbands.com