The Squires (Canadian band)
| The Squires | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Surf music, Rock music |
| Years active | 1963–1965 |
| Labels | V Records |
| Associated acts | Buffalo Springfield |
| Past members |
Neil Young Allan Bates Jack Harper Ken Smyth Ken Koblun Jeff Wuckert |
The Squires or Neil Young & The Squires were a Canadian band formed in 1963 in Winnipeg. It was one of the first bands of singer-songwriter Neil Young.
Recordings
On July 23, 1963, The Squires were recorded by Harry Taylor of local radio station CKRC in a tiny two-track recordings studio.[1] These recordings were released later that year as a single released by V Records. 300 records were pressed, only around 10 are known to still exist, which makes it one of the rarest 45 rpm records around the world.[2]
On April 2, 1964, the group again entered CKRC studios to record with Harry Taylor, and, according to Young recorded "about twenty songs". According to drummer Ken Smyth, these were for a possible deal with London Records of Canada.
On November 23, 1964, while on Tour in Fort William, Ontario, The Squires were recorded by local CJLX radio DJ to the station studio where two versions of "I'll Love You Forever" were recorded.[3]
Young's 2009 collection "The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972" opened with six recordings by The Squires, including the V Records single, mastered from a vinyl copy.
- Aurora [V Records 45"] - 2:10
- The Sultan [V Records 45"] - 2:35
- I Wonder [2 Apr 1964 CKRC studios] - 2:24
- Mustang [2 Apr 1964 CKRC studios] - 2:26
- I'll Love You Forever [23 Nov 1964 CJLX studios] - 3:25
- (I'm A Man And) I Can't Cry [Winter/Spring 1965, Winnipeg] - 2:35
Other material
- "Farmer John" was a regular staple of their live set, a song Young would eventually record with Crazy Horse on his 1990 album Ragged Glory.
- "I Wonder', which The Squires recorded three different times, became the basis of Young's song "Don't Cry No Tears" on his 1975 album Zuma.
- "Aint It the Truth" was recorded and performed by Neil Young & The Bluenotes on his 1988 album This Note's For You.
- "Sugar Mountain" was written by Young while on Tour in Fort William, Ontario, with The Squires.
Gigs
The band used to play at community clubs, high school dances and proms. They played a lot of The Shadows, The Ventures, The Fireballs songs. Neil started writing songs and they played them regularly. The band also played engagements out of town, including as far away as Fort William, Ontario, and Churchill, Manitoba.
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | The Sultan / Aurora | V records |
| 2008 | Mustang / Aurora | Reprise Records |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972 | Reprise Records |
References
- Citations
- ↑ "The Squires Sound", Neil Young: Don't Be Denied: The Canadian Years, by John Einarson, 1992
- ↑ Neil Young news, trasherswheat.org .
- ↑ "Four Strong Winds", Neil Young: Don't Be Denied: The Canadian Years, by John Einarson, 1992
External links
- Neil Young news, trasherswheat.org .
- Neil Young Archives Interview, Uncut interview with The Squires guitarist Allan Bates .
