Freedom North
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Freedom North was a Canadian rock group that was active in the 1970s. Recording for Aquarius Records, they had hits with "Doctor Tom" and "Losing You".


Background

The group had evolved from a previous group called The Munks who were around from 1963 to around 1968. During that time they recorded three songs. Now in the 1970s the new group was billing themselves as Freedom. They released their first single under that name. Some months later they were calling themselves Freedom North. The band consisted of Franki Hart, Bill Hill, Eddy Kaye,
Graham Lear Graham Lear (born July 24, 1949) is a Canadian rock drummer, best known for his time with Gino Vannelli, Santana (band), Santana and REO Speedwagon. He was born in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Background In 1952 his family moved to London, Ontario, ...
, Les Leroux and Rick St. Jean.


Career

In 1970, their single " Dr. Tom" was released on the Aquarius label. By August 1, it was at #20 on the RPM100 singles chart. It was also at #2 on the MAPL Top 50 Canadian Chart. It would eventually peak at #17. On August 24, 1970 " Losing You" was at #47 in the MAPL Top 50 Canadian Chart. With their single "Losing You" being a recent happening, the group was set to play two nights at the Spectrum, a coffee hose at
Bishop's University Bishop's University () is a small English-language Liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Lennoxville, a borough of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The founder of the institution was the Anglican Diocese of Quebec, Anglican Bishop of Quebec ...
for the week ending November 21, 1970. The establishment was suffering due to lack of patronage, and it was hoped that a major group like Freedom North would encourage students to attend and remedy the situation. It was also to be the first time a major group was to play at the venue. At the time, the group's line up consisted of lead guitarist Billy Hill, guitarist Rick St-Jean, vocalist Franki Hart, drummer
Graham Lear Graham Lear (born July 24, 1949) is a Canadian rock drummer, best known for his time with Gino Vannelli, Santana (band), Santana and REO Speedwagon. He was born in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Background In 1952 his family moved to London, Ontario, ...
and a bass player who was formerly with The Buddy Miles Express.


Album

''RPM Weekly'' wrote in the October 3 issue that Summerlea Music head, Brian Chater reported that a US release for "Losing You" was to be on the Scepter label. A simultaneous release for their album in Canada and the US was anticipated for the first part of October. The album was released on Aquarius AQR 501 that year. All the tracks but one was composed by the band. The non-band composition "Hey Carmen" was composed by R. Boileau. Produced by Bill Hill for Much Productions, the musicians playing on the album were, Franki Hart on vocals, piano and recorder, Bill Hill on lead guitar, Rick St. Jean on vocals and rhythm guitar, Eddie Kaye on drums, and Les Leroux on Bass. Additional musicians were Ron Dann on pedal steel,
Brian Wray Brian Wray was a veteran Canadian musician and musical arranger. He had been a member of three major Canadian bands, Natural Gas in the late 1960s, Motherlode and Truck in the early 1970s. He also worked with Lisa Hartt, Freedom North, Moe Koff ...
on piano and horn arrangements, Rayburn Blake on guitar,
Carl Watral Natural Gas was a Canadian rock music group featuring a horn section. Consisting of eight members, it was formed by George Olliver. They released an album and a single in 1970. They had hit that year with " All Powerful Man". Their self-titled al ...
, Mike Berman and Dave Classic on horns.


Further activities

For the week ending, February 6, 1971, their single "Ordinary Man" had entered the ''RPM'' 100 Singles chart at #96.


Post Freedom North

By 1973, Franki Hart was a member of the group, Riverson which also included Rayburn Blake and Brian Edwards who were from
Mashmakhan Mashmakhan was a Canadian rock band formed in 1969 in L'Île-Perrot, Quebec. The band is best known for their 1970 hit single " As the Years Go By". The song reached No. 1 in Canada, and the Top 40 in the United States. The song was also a ma ...
, and
Graham Lear Graham Lear (born July 24, 1949) is a Canadian rock drummer, best known for his time with Gino Vannelli, Santana (band), Santana and REO Speedwagon. He was born in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Background In 1952 his family moved to London, Ontario, ...
. By February they had already played at the Place des Arts, the Grand Théâtre de Québec and in Toronto, and set to appear at the Drummondville Cultural Center on Thursday, February 8 at 8:30 a.m.. Bill Hill later produced the debut album for Aquarius label mates
April Wine April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969 and based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, led by singer-guitarist-songwriter Myles Goodwyn until his death in 2023. April Wine first experienced success with their second album, ' ...
.


Members

* Franki Hart: vocals, piano, recorder * Bill Hill: lead guitar * Rick St. Jean: rhythm guitar, vocals * Eddie Kaye: drums * Les Leroux: basscitizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music)
Freedom North
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Discography


Further reading

* Rockasteria, Sunday, August 29, 2021


References

{{reflist Canadian progressive rock groups Aquarius Records (Canada) artists