JOHN & LEE & THE CHECKMATES - BRING IT DOWN FRONT

This is "John & Lee & the Checkmates" one &
only stab at the Hit-Parade. A remarkable performance, this was the first success for John Finley,who eventually fronted "Rhineoceros" (along with Mike Fonfara-keyboards,& Peter Hodgson-bass). If you watch carefully you'll see the "guys" posing with "Mick Jagger".(They opened for The STONES in April of 1965). This performance was as raw as it gets, but still didn't match the thrill of seeing the band "Live" ! I saw them once at "The Avenue Road Club" in Toronto and literally got chills up my spine. The only other time I had witnessed that much energy on stage was when I saw The King of Soul, "James Brown" do his thing. These guys were the real deal.The soul of Toronto.
John Finley - Lead Vocals
Lee Jackson - Lead Vocals
Michael Fonfara - Hammond Organ-vocals
Jeff Cutler - Drums
Larry Leishman - Guitar
Peter Hodgson - Bass

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Raw
• Blistering
• Unadulterated
• R&B.
• SOUL-FUNK!

[MyHGE]

I met Mike last week at a Latin music bar in TO. What a joyless asshole he is. If you read this Mike, please know that you were rude to many people that night for no reason at all. Learn the art of small talk and know that now in your old age the best is to enjoy meeting people and forget the old days when the little bit of fame you had gave you the excuse to be an asshole.

[kitkovaleish]

go larry! 

[literatibuff]

God, I loved to watch Jon & Lee and the Checkmates. This brings back so many memories, not the least of which was going out with Jon a couple of times.  He was a really nice guy. Awesome tune, performed with their usual soul.

[PaulMiil]

Great song. Don't understand why we don't hear this on the radio.

[mckenzie818]

So you know, the three Rhinosceros albums are available on CD. The first - with Apricot Brandy, That Time of Year, and When You Say You're Sorry is absolute classic... and sounds incredible even today. Albums two and three - Satin Chickens and Better Times Are Coming - is available as a 2-on-1. It's interesting to note that as Rhinoseros lost members, they were replaced by those from the Checkmates. I saw Jon, Mike, Peter, and Larry with Mike Sloski drumming a couple years back. Great stuff!

[tynertyner]

Gotta be a Toronto Soul classic. Good shot of the Friars back drop. A moving cut that really ages well.

[PadreMDB]

Brings us down front where it all happened. Mike, John were dynamic and forerunners. TO scene was cookin back then.

[jeffkahl]

ah yes! another killer J/L CM performance! John Findlay and Mike Fonfara are still playing around the GTA. Mike's playing with Downchild these days and John's got his own eponymously named band that plays the club scene.

[dougvarty]

Yeah! I loved this song when I was in my first band - these guys were the most intense performers around Toronto, and that still comes through after all these years.

Thanks for posting this classic! Jon & Lee rule!

[uncledooley]

Love this song reminds me of all the clubs they played in Toronto back in the 60's