The Esquires (Canadian band)
| The Esquires | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Pop |
| Years active | 1962-1967 |
| Labels |
Capitol Columbia |
| Associated acts | The Children Don Norman and The Other Four The Staccatos Five Man Electrical Band The Townsmen The Modern Rock Quartet 3's a Crowd Canada Goose James Leroy and Denim |
| Website | http://www.spotlightheroes.com/Esquires |
| Past members | Bob Harrington Don Norman Brian Lewicki Gary Comeau Paul Huot Andy Legault Clint Hierlihy Richard Patterson Gail Thompson Bert Hurd Ted Gerow John Cassidy Bernie Jessome Douglas Orr Bruce Cockburn Robert Coulthart Mike Argue |
The Esquires were a Canadian band, based in Ottawa, active from 1962 to 1967. The band is notable as the recipient of the first Juno Award in Canada, as well as being one of Canada's earlier pop music recording acts. The first Canadian music video ever made is said to be that of an Esquires song. The band is also notable as having had Bruce Cockburn as a later member, and also for one of its hit records, "It's A Dirty Shame", having been written by William Hawkins.
The Esquires (not to be confused with the same-named R&B group The Esquires from Milwaukee, Wisconsin) were co-founded in Ottawa, in 1962, by Clint Hierlihy and Gary Comeau, while both were still in high school. The band developed a strong local following during the 1962-1963 period, modeling their sound on that of Cliff Richard and The Shadows. The group attracted the attention of Montreal singer Marty Hill. They were asked to back Montreal singer Andy Kim for his performance during Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars in Montreal, where the band played on the same bill as Gene Pitney, The Dovells, Paul and Paula and The Tymes.
The Esquires were signed to Capitol Records in 1963, and are considered to have been the first Canadian pop band to be signed to a major label. In 1964, they received the RPM Award, a predecessor to the Juno Awards, as Best Vocal and Instrumental Group. They became the opening act for some of the major performers of the day, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five and Roy Orbison. The Esquires issued a series of singles, the biggest hit of which was "So Many Other Boys" (1964) and one album, Introducing The Esquires.
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