Next - Only A Friend Of Mine

Issued in Canada August 1975 on Columbia C4-4108.

Next has no biographical information on the web. There is a 1971 group listed called "Next..." from Winnipeg, but this isn't them. Mark LaForme, co-writer and vocalist of this song, and the only group member I can identify, went to my high school a couple of years ahead of me. He is from Hagersville, Ontario. I remember him giving a solo performance in the gymnasium, and the next year we were hearing him on the radio.

Trivia: this is the next record Columbia of Canada released after "What The Hell I Got" by Michel Pagliaro in August 1975. According to the RPM charts, it sat around for five months before showing up. "Only A Friend Of Mine" charted on February 21, 1976 at #98 and spent two weeks at #72 at the beginning of April.

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Next
• Only
• Friend
• Of
• Mine
• 1975
• Canadian
• pop

[hklinker]

Mr Filter, I can say I've got a pretty sharp memory for Canadian pop hits from about 1971 onward. I certainly remember this song, and have even tried to search for it but didn't know who the band was. It's a strange feeling to be the only one (among old friends) who really remembers very well songs like this because without any record (honest, no pun intended) it's almost as though I'm crazy. But these songs got a lot of before being ditched - never to be brought back as 'gold' or 'recurrent.'

[mojofilter02]

I know what you mean. When you haven't heard a song in over 30 years, then you finally find it, it's as though you are vindicated at last: no, you didn't imagine it, you *have* heard that song before. I've had numerous experiences like that.

[LHUPA]

I have an old Warner Brothers LP by NEXT made in early 70's and it's hard rock like Black Sabbath!

[mojofilter02]

That's another group called Next, not this one.

[guilty4association]

One thing I'd like to say, is he got better with age.

[mojofilter02]

Heh heh. Hopefully, so have we all.

[rockinroly]

This was a group I put together after "CROWBAR" parted company. Mark and I wrote the songs and did get, and still do get, airplay with this song.

There were other bands called Next but not in Canada.

Mark Laforme- guitar, vocals

Mel Coburn-drums, vocals, the high voice

Garnett Zimmerman-keyboards

Roly Greenway-bass and vocals

were the members on this record.

[glrcmptn]

it reminds me a lot of a song called i think 'lightening strikes me again' or something like that-back in the 60's....

[ThePhilipCoburn]

I was 14 at the time this came out (1975)! Well I will be 50 this year. As my big brother would say "My Goodness Gracious Me" You are still the best my friend. Let's see if I can remeber all the band members You would have had Roly Greenway on bass and vocals, Mark Laforme guitar and lead vocals, Garnet Zimmerman on the electric keyboard and of course the best drummer (and brother) in the world Melvyn John Coburn and of course Mel was the one hitting those high notes as well!

[XFactorInfinity]

As with the Syrinx track, I'd love this in FLAC or WAV format! Yes please.

[gallactic9conquest]

My Uncle Garnett Zimmerman played keyboards for this band.