Les Emerson is a brilliant writer and Musician. I met Les in the mid sixties in Ottawa when I waswith the Esquires and Les with the Staccatos. They were taking off then. I recorded one song with him in Montreal called " Move to California " dont think it became a hit but I enjoyed doing the falseto on it. Les was always going to writea song for me,but never got around to it. Considering his talent and the voice I had then I am sure it would have gone great.I would still love to do. Bernie
Les Emmerson had a great voice,(and still does) in Control Of Me! I feel proud that his band (Five Man Electrical Band) are Canadian and gave us great tunes! Who the hell is Shirley?
At 3:04, the master puppeteer who is doing work on one of his marionettes is the incomparable Ronnie Burkett, another one of Canada's treasures...like Les Emmerson.
This is one of those songs that I heard on AM radio and didn't get the name of the band and the song stuck in my head for 30 years before I found it...right here on Youtube.
That reference was just a wistful thought ~ Shirley was a friend of mine - from PEI - back then, but we have had no contact since 1973. Still, she and this song are forever linked in my mind, and the song awakens memories of some things we did, like a '73 BeeGees concert at The O'Keefe Centre (now The Hummingbird) in Toronto.
I think that music leaves an indelible time etch on most of us, often facilitating a sort of virtual time travel, into our past.
Les Emmerson's credentials had already been established many times with Five Man...While this seems a rather simple song, both the melody and lyrics really struck a chord with me, back in the day.
Checked it out and it's okay, but didn't do anything special for me. I liked Last Song the first time I heard it, and Close Your Eyes is musically the best of the three. But you're entitled to your opinion. And we can both agree on the wealth of great Canadian pop from that time period.
Les Emerson is a brilliant writer and Musician. I met Les in the mid sixties in Ottawa when I waswith the Esquires and Les with the Staccatos. They were taking off then. I recorded one song with him in Montreal called " Move to California " dont think it became a hit but I enjoyed doing the falseto on it. Les was always going to writea song for me,but never got around to it. Considering his talent and the voice I had then I am sure it would have gone great.I would still love to do. Bernie
jessome1100 9 months ago
Thanks for the recordings. It's a rare find indeed!
Hojosun 1 year ago
CKLW in Windsor/Detroit memories! Awesome!
drambuierocks 2 years ago
Les Emmerson had a great voice,(and still does) in Control Of Me! I feel proud that his band (Five Man Electrical Band) are Canadian and gave us great tunes! Who the hell is Shirley?
Railrodder 2 years ago
At 3:04, the master puppeteer who is doing work on one of his marionettes is the incomparable Ronnie Burkett, another one of Canada's treasures...like Les Emmerson.
rickshaw62 2 years ago
This is one of those songs that I heard on AM radio and didn't get the name of the band and the song stuck in my head for 30 years before I found it...right here on Youtube.
Thanks for bringing it back so well.
rickshaw62 2 years ago
That reference was just a wistful thought ~ Shirley was a friend of mine - from PEI - back then, but we have had no contact since 1973. Still, she and this song are forever linked in my mind, and the song awakens memories of some things we did, like a '73 BeeGees concert at The O'Keefe Centre (now The Hummingbird) in Toronto.
I think that music leaves an indelible time etch on most of us, often facilitating a sort of virtual time travel, into our past.
elipoet1 2 years ago
Les Emmerson's credentials had already been established many times with Five Man...While this seems a rather simple song, both the melody and lyrics really struck a chord with me, back in the day.
I wonder if Shirley recalls it in the same way.
elipoet1 2 years ago
Who's Shirley?
MrTrashcan1 2 years ago
PS MrTrashcan1.
Do you remember Edward Bear?
neorunt 2 years ago
Sure do. "Last Song" and "Close Your Eyes" were both played here in Philly. I think they're already on youtube. Thanks for your comment.
MrTrashcan1 2 years ago
The best (but not well-known) Edward Bear song is "You Me and Mexico". Check it out.
dllewiszz 2 years ago
Checked it out and it's okay, but didn't do anything special for me. I liked Last Song the first time I heard it, and Close Your Eyes is musically the best of the three. But you're entitled to your opinion. And we can both agree on the wealth of great Canadian pop from that time period.
MrTrashcan1 2 years ago
Canadian pop is much like Australian pop.
Unique and underappreciated.
neorunt 2 years ago
Going through a rough time with my girl.
Can't believe this song came back to me after so many years.
Thanks MrTrashcan1.
Used to hear it on a little transistor radio in my bed on warm summer nights when I was just a teen.
neorunt 2 years ago
Aha, I remember listening to it on my transistor too...was a Top 20 hit in New Zealand in 73, haven't heard it again until now
Still think it's an interesting and unusual song....great harmonies
kiwidave218 2 years ago
Yeah kiwidave218, guess we're gettin old.
It's a thoughtful song and the lyrics are somehow more poignant now than the the melody was back in the 'daze' of youth.
neorunt 2 years ago
This underrated song should have been a major hit record around the world.
dllewiszz 2 years ago
Ottawa...will always be "The Staccatos" and Les Emmerson.
Ridgemont High.
kahanasam 2 years ago