The Martels
Encyclopedia
The Martels were a Canadian rock band formed in 1957 in Midland
, Ontario
, Canada
. The band first emerged on the music scene when musicians Tom Ambeau (drums, guitar), Milt Budarick (bass guitar), Bert DesRochers (piano), Larry French (lead guitar, vocals) and Gary French (lead vocals, drums), formed The Corvettes. Rock & Roll was becoming a powerful force on the music scene and The Corvettes became a part of that, playing concerts throughout Ontario.
The Corvettes would go on to become the backing band for Canada's first teen idol Bobby Curtola
. Changing their name to Bobby Curtola & The Martells (after Curtola's manager, Maria Martell) in 1961, the band went on to record hits such as Indian Giver, Hand in Hand with You and Fortune Teller with Curtola. The band also toured across Canada and recorded with big stars of the day such as Del Shannon
.
The Martels disbanded in the late 1960s, but in 1979, the band reunited and have been together ever since then.
Current members of the band also include Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers
, formerly of Canadian band Lisle
, on guitar & vocals. Former radio DJ Ken Rowland served as the band’s master of ceremonies and occasional percussionist until his untimely death in 2008, after a battle with cancer.
In 2007, The Martels released a new album of Rock & Roll classics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their founding.
In August 2010, The Martels played the Kempenfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Barrie
, Ontario
for the 20th straight year.
Midland, Ontario
Midland is a town located on Georgian Bay in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.Situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands, Midland is the economic centre of the region, with a 125-bed hospital and a local airport. It is the main town of the southern Georgian Bay area...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The band first emerged on the music scene when musicians Tom Ambeau (drums, guitar), Milt Budarick (bass guitar), Bert DesRochers (piano), Larry French (lead guitar, vocals) and Gary French (lead vocals, drums), formed The Corvettes. Rock & Roll was becoming a powerful force on the music scene and The Corvettes became a part of that, playing concerts throughout Ontario.
The Corvettes would go on to become the backing band for Canada's first teen idol Bobby Curtola
Bobby Curtola
Robert Allen "Bobby" Curtola, CM is an early Canadian rock and roll singer and teen idol.-History:Curtola had several songs on the Canadian music charts beginning with "Hand In Hand With You"...
. Changing their name to Bobby Curtola & The Martells (after Curtola's manager, Maria Martell) in 1961, the band went on to record hits such as Indian Giver, Hand in Hand with You and Fortune Teller with Curtola. The band also toured across Canada and recorded with big stars of the day such as Del Shannon
Del Shannon
Del Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
.
The Martels disbanded in the late 1960s, but in 1979, the band reunited and have been together ever since then.
Current members of the band also include Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
William Joseph "Bill" Chambers was an American football offensive lineman in the All-America Football Conference. He played two seasons for the New York Yankees . He played collegiately for Alabama, Georgia Tech and UCLA....
, formerly of Canadian band Lisle
Lisle (band)
-Biography:Originally named 'Quantity Unknown' and 'Robin and the Hoods', the band produced one hit single in Canada in 1974: "Shelly Made Me Smile" which came from their album, Smile With Lisle , on Bronco Records....
, on guitar & vocals. Former radio DJ Ken Rowland served as the band’s master of ceremonies and occasional percussionist until his untimely death in 2008, after a battle with cancer.
In 2007, The Martels released a new album of Rock & Roll classics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their founding.
In August 2010, The Martels played the Kempenfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Barrie
Barrie
Barrie may refer to:* Barrie, city in Ontario, Canada* Barrie , Canadian federal electoral district* Barrie , provincial electoral district* Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, former Canadian electoral district...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
for the 20th straight year.