Leigh Ashford

Leigh Ashford was a rock group formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1966 by, guitarist Gord Waszek, vocalist Dave Cairns, bassist Joe Agnello and keyboard player Newton Garwood. In 1969, producer Jack Richardson (The Guess Who) took the band to New York to record. A single "Country Place" was released on the Nimbus 9 label but the album itself was never released.

The band kept busy in the clubs in Toronto until 1970. At this time Garwood was replaced by keyboardist Bruno Weckerle, Craig Kaleal (of The Witness) became the permanent drummer and a new vocalist Buzz Shearman [Former singer of Sherman & Peabody, which also featured Greg Godovitz, later of Goddo and Gil Moore, later of Triumph, as well as Wally Cameron on drums (former member of A Passing Fancy)] was added. In 1971, they recorded their debut album called "Kinfolk" in the RCA studios in Toronto, Canada. Things were looking good for the band with a U.S. tour. In addition, the album's first single, "Dickens", began gaining attention of U.S radio stations.

Despite their great promise, creative differences, primarily due to the rate of band member turnover,caused the group to disband. Gord Waszek left to join Fludd in 1972 and Joe Agnello joined Grant Smith and The Power. It fell to singer Buzz Shearman to pick up the pieces and soldier on. Buzz kept the band and its name going and by 1974 Buzz recruited Earl Johnson (guitar, and former member of the King Biscuit Boy band), Kim Fraser, then Terry Juric (bass guitar and Bill Wade (drums), the latter being former members of Outlaw Music This group ultimately evolved with a harder sound into the hit recording act Moxy in late 1974.

In 1997, Pacemaker Records re-issued the sole Leigh Ashford album, "Kinfolk", on CD.

Members

*Dave Cairns (vocals, drums)
*Joe Agnello (bass)
*Newton Garwood (keyboards)
*Gord Waszek (guitar)
*Wally Cameron (drums; replaced Cairns 1970)
*Lance Wright (drums; replaced Cameron)
*Craig Kaleal (drums; replaced Wright)
*Buzz Shearman (vocals; replaced Cairns in 1971)
*Bruno Weckerle (organ; replaced Garwood)
*Don Elliot (bass; replaced Agnello)
*Doni Underhill (bass; replaced Elliot)
*Kim Frased (bass; replaced Underhill 1973)
*Earl Johnson (guitar; replaced Waszek 1973)
*Terry Juric (bass; replaced Underhill 1974)
*Bill Wade (drums; replaced Kaleal 1973)

ingles/45's

* 1970 (Nimbus 9)- Country Place (with David Cairns on vocals)
* 1971 (Revolver)- Dickens (with Buzz Shearman on vocals)
* 1971 (Revolver)- Never Give Myself (with Buzz Shearman on vocals)
* 1971 (Revolver)- Good Day (with Buzz Shearman on vocals)
* 1972 (Revolver)- Workin' All Day (with Buzz Shearman on vocals)
* 1972 (Revolver)- The Country's Got A Soul All Its Own (Hopi) (with Buzz Shearman on vocals)

Album "Kinfolk" Track List

# Dickens 2:40 (Sherman, Waszek)
# Mighty Fine Cookin' 3:15 (Waszek)
# Never Give Myself 4:27 (Waszek)
# Juicy Lucy 3:25 (Waszek)
# County Country 3:24 (Sherman, Waszek)
# Good Day 4:00 (Agnelio, Kaleal, Shearman)
# Lee Oompa Kum Pah Pah 3:10 (Agnello, Shearman, Waszek)
# Lady 4:44 (Sherman, Waszek)
# Sicawine, Pt. 1 3:27 (Sherman, Waszek, Weckere, Agnello)
# Sicawine, Pt. 2 6:39 (Sherman, Waszek, Weckerle, Agnello)
# Workin' All Day 2:05 (Sherman)- Bonus Tracks on 1997 re issue CD
# The Country's Got A Soul 3:14 (Sherman)- Bonus Tracks on 1997 re issue CD

References

External links

* [http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/L/Leigh_Ashford.html Bio at Pop Encyclopedia CANOE.ca]