John Finley (musician)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = John Finley


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Origin = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre = Soul, Gospel, Rock, R&B
Years_active = 1963–present
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John Finley (born May 6, 1945 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer/songwriter who came to prominance with Toronto R&B band Jon and Lee and The Checkmates and later with the Elektra supergroup Rhinoceros. Finley’s talents reach over many genres, including R&B, Gospel, Jazz and Rock, and is acclaimed for his song writing, recording and live performances.After Rhinoceros, Finley was a member of Blackstone before engaging in projects with Homestead and Michael Quatro. More recently, Finley has worked with the reformed band The Checkmates, and currently leads a contemporary jazz and R&B group, SoulBop!.

Musical Career

Jon & Lee & The Checkmates
In 1964, Finley joined Toronto based band The Checkmates with the help of Peter Hodgson, the band’s bass player and Finley’s cousin. With Finley’s inclusion, the band was renamed Jon and Lee and The Checkmates. After initial success, the band singed a contract with large RCA, despite Finley’s connection with Elektra producer Paul Rothchild, who would eventually recruit Finley to Rhinoceros. cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/checkmates.html|title=Jon & Lee & The Checkmates|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

The band struggled to capture their live dynamic in the studio, and eventually relocated to Philadelphia to pursue more original material under the new band name the Jon-Lee Group. The band experienced mixed success, releasing “Bring It Down Front/Pork Chops” in 1967, before splitting the same year. Finley recalls that the band split due to production pressure from Secunda and personal differences that were exacerbated by drug taking. cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/checkmates.html|title=Jon & Lee & The Checkmates|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

In 1999, Fonfara, Hodgson and Leishman reformed The Checkmates, and Finley connects with the band from time to time. The band is currently working on a new album.cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

Rhinoceros
In December 1967, with help again from Hodgson, Finley joined Paul Rothchild’s project super group that became known as Rhinoceros. According to Finley, when the band “listened to the tapes and they sounded just like a rhinoceros. The bass and the drums sounded lumbering and fat." cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/checkmates.html|title=Jon & Lee & The Checkmates|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

Finley recalls that Elektra "had this multi-thousand dollar campaign to make us instant mini-rock stars - you just go through a change, but by living together and jamming together the hype goes away." Despite heavy promotion, the three albums by Rhinoceros resulted in lack-lustre sales. cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

Rhinoceros disbanded in 1971, and Finley believes that it was precipitated by two poor decisions. Firstly, the move from the West Coast to the East Coast severed the band’s roots that lead to instability. Secondly, the bands decision to fire Paul Rothchild, despite Finley’s objections, resulted in further instability and ultimately disintegration. cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/johnfinley.htm|title=John Fiinley|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

Collaborations and Solo Career
In early 1972, Finley recorded with Homestead on Nimbus 9 Records to produce the album “Every Little Thing Has A Place In God's Heart”, featuring the singles “Anthem” and “Every Little Thing”. Finley also joined with Michael Quatro, and performed vocals on his album “Paintings”.cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

In 1972, Finley joined four ex-Rhinoceros members to launch the new band Blackstone Rangers (which was later shortened to Blackstone after a dispute with a motorcycle gang of the same name). Finley invited his old friend Paul Rothchild to Toronto to produce the album, which ultimately resulted in GRT Records album “On The Line”. Shortly after, the group disbanded.cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

In 1973, Three Dog Night’s “Let Me Serenade You”, a cover of Finley’s “I Will Serenade You”, became a US top 20 hit. In subsequent years, Finley concentrated on studio work and song writing, while increasing his involvement in the Los Angeles choir scene.cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11]

In 1990, Ivan Neville covered Finley’s song “'Why Can't I Fall In Love?” for the movie soundtrack “Pump Up The Volume”.

In 2002, Finley also contributed vocals and piano to the Northern Blues Gospel Allstars on their album “Saved”.

Finley is currently leading his own contemporary jazz and R&B group, “SoulBop!”. Their first recording contains original material as well as new arrangements of older songs, including the 1926 classic "Blue Skies".cite web|url=http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/rhino2.htm|title=Rhinoceros|publisher=Rhinoceros|accessdate=2008-09-11] Live performances by SoulBop!, as well as solo appearances, still continue in the Toronto area.

Discography

Albums
1968: Rhinoceros "Rhinoceros"
1969: Rhinoceros "Satin Chickens"
1970: Rhinoceros "Better Times Are Coming"
1972: Homestead “Every Little Thing Has A Place In God's Heart”
1972: Blackstone “On The Line”
2002: Northern Blues Gospel Allstars “Saved”

Singles
1967: The Jon-Lee Group “Bring It Down Front/Pork Chops”
1968: Rhinoceros "You're My Girl/I Will Serenade You"
1969: Rhinoceros "Apricot Brandy/ When You Say You're Sorry"
1969: Rhinoceros "I Need Love/ Belbuekus"
1969: Rhinoceros "Back Door/In A Little Room"
1970: Rhinoceros "Old Age/Let's Party"
1970: Rhinoceros "Better Times/It's A Groovy World"
1972: Homestead “Anthem/New York City”
1972: Homestead “Every Little Thing/Sadness”

References

External Links

* [http://www.rhinoceros-group.com/index.html Rhinoceros Home Page]