Leigh Ashford


Leigh Ashford was a Canadian rock group formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and which existed between 1966 and 1974. Many of the band members would go on to form Moxy in 1973.

History

The group was formed in 1967 by, the guitarist Gord Waszek, drummer and singer Dave Cairns, bassist Joe Agnello and keyboard player Newton Garwood. With Garwood as keyboardist, the band opened for The Vanilla Fudge. Later on in 1969 a lead singer was added for more dynamics. Percussionist Vocalist Glenn Brown was recruited from another iconic Toronto band, A Passing Fancy. During his stint in the band, Leigh Ashford opened for the bands The Foundations at the Electric Circus in Toronto and The Who at the Rockpile in 1969. Record producer Jack Richardson 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 issued.
The band kept busy in the clubs in Toronto until 1970. Garwood was replaced by keyboardist Bruno Weckerle, Craig Kaleal became the permanent drummer and a new vocalist Buzz Shearman was added. The band was invited to appear at three day long, Strawberry Fields Festival, in August 1970. In 1971, they recorded their debut album called Kinfolk in the RCA studios in Toronto. Things were looking good for the band with a US tour. In addition, the album's first single, "Dickens", began gaining attention of US radio stations. However creative differences due to member turn-over rate was breaking the band up. It fell to singer Buzz Shearman to pick up the pieces and soldier on in 1972, when founding members Gord Waszek joining Fludd and Joe Agnello joining Grant Smith & The Power. Wally Cameron and Doni Underhill also decided to leave in 1974, with Underhill also joining Fludd. Shearman recruited Earl Johnson, Kim Fraser, then Terry Juric and Bill Wade, 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.

Career

In December 1970, the group had their single out on the Revolver label that was headed by Mort Ross. A distribution deal between Revolver and RCA had been signed. In addition to Leigh Ashford, other acts included Chimo!, Motherlode, and Jam Jar.

Members

  • Dave Cairns
  • Joe Agnello
  • Newton Garwood
  • Gord Waszek
  • Glenn Brown
  • Wally Cameron
  • Lance Wright
  • Craig Kaleal
  • Buzz Shearman
  • Bruno Weckerle
  • Don Elliot
  • Doni Underhill
  • Kim Fraser
  • Earl Johnson
  • Terry Juric
  • Bill Wade

    Leigh Ashford / Moxy Timeline


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bar:Buddy Caine from:01/07/1975 till:16/06/1983 color:g
bar:Buddy Caine from:01/07/1999 till:01/12/2008 color:g
bar:Woody West from:01/07/1978 till:01/11/1979 color:g
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bar:Brian Maxim from:01/07/1999 till:01/07/2003 color:v
bar:Alex Machin from:01/07/2003 till:01/07/2008 color:v
bar:Russell Graham from:01/07/2008 till:01/07/2013 color:v
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bar:Don Elliott from:01/04/1972 till:01/09/1972 color:b
bar:Doni Underhill from:01/09/1972 till:01/01/1973 color:b
bar:Kim Fraser from:01/01/1973 till:15/11/1974 color:b
bar:Terry Juric from:15/11/1974 till:16/06/1983 color:b
bar:Jim Samson from:01/07/1999 till:01/07/2013 color:b
bar:Andy Narsingh from:01/07/2013 till:01/07/2015 color:b
bar:Rod Albon from:01/07/2015 till:01/07/2018 color:b
bar:Chaz Coats-Butcher from:01/07/2018 till:01/07/2024 color:b
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bar:Craig Kaleal from:01/07/1970 till:01/07/1973 color:d
bar:Bill Wade from:01/07/1973 till:01/02/1977 color:d
bar:Bill Wade from:01/07/1999 till:01/07/2000 color:d
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bar:Danny Bilan from:01/02/1977 till:16/06/1983 color:d
bar:Kim Hunt from:01/07/2000 till:01/07/2013 color:d
bar:Mike Cotton from:01/07/2013 till:01/07/2015 color:d
bar:Desche Sparboom from:01/07/2015 till:01/07/2024 color:d
bar:Rod McLeod from:01/07/2024 till:end color:d

Discography

Singles

Albums

  • Kinfolk - Revolver– LSP-4520, 1971
  1. "Dickens" - 2:40
  2. "Mighty Fine Cookin'" - 3:15
  3. "Never Give Myself" - 4:27
  4. "Juicy Lucy" - 3:25
  5. "County Country" - 3:24
  6. "Good Day" - 4:00
  7. "Lee Oompa Kum Pah Pah" - 3:10
  8. "Lady" - 4:44
  9. "Sicawine, Part 1" - 3:27
  10. "Sicawine, Part 2" - 6:39
  11. "Workin' All Day" - 2:05 - Bonus track on 1997 re-issue CD
  12. "The Country's Got a Soul" - 3:14 - Bonus track on 1997 re-issue CD