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Kensington Market was a Toronto, Canada based rock band, active from 1967-1969. Named for a downtown Toronto neighbourhood, it was formed by songwriters Keith McKie (vocals, guitar) and Eugene Martynec (guitar, piano), with Alex Darou (bass guitar) and Jimmy Watson (drums). The singer and songwriter Luke Gibson (from the blues band Luke And The Apostles ) was added later in 1967, and the synthesizer player John Mills-Cockell was a member in 1969. HISTORY Brought together in 1967 by musical entrepreneur Bernie Finkelstein , the Market performed initially in Toronto coffeehouses and high schools. Sometime after the dissolution of "Luke And The Apostles", the Market recruited Luke Gibson in the latter part of 1967 by which time they had already released two singles for Stone Records. These singles achieved minimal success but Finkelstein was able to sign them to Warner Brothers in New York City. In 1968, the Market did the soundtrack to the NFB film "The Ernie Game." Later that year, they released the album Avenue Road(Produced by Felix Pappalardi ), followed by a tour of the United States. In 1969, keyboardist John Mills-Cockell joined, and their follow-up, 'Aardvark', was released, once again produced by Pappalardi, followed by their second US tour. However, this wasn't done in enough time to save the splintering band who split that same year. DEMISE OF THE MARKET Although it was short lived and did not enjoy great commercial success, Kensington Market was one of the first Canadian rock bands to develop a style - texturally complex, lyrically eloquent - independent of US and British models. Its LPs did not capture the exuberant, improvisatory nature of its live performances. Darou died in the early 1970's from a suspected heroin overdose. Watson retired from the world of music. Finkelstein founded True North Records . John Mills-Cockell went on to record with synth-prog band Syrinx before trying his own solo career both projects were on Finkelstein's True North Records . Pappalardi died on April 17 , 1983 from a gunshot to the neck. Martynec subsequently worked in Toronto studios, while Gibson and McKie have had minor and intermittent solo careers. Gibson made the LP '' Another Perfect Day '' (TNorth TN6) in 1971 and McKie released '' Rumors At The Newstand '' (Quantum QR-81003) in 1981. FUTURE PLANS Currently, there are rumors circulating that an american label is planning to rerelease the Market albums on a mastered CD. MEMBERS Final Line-Up
DISCOGRAPHY Studio Albums '' Avenue Road '' ( 1968 , Warner WS-1754) Warner Brothers Records '' Aardvark '' ( 1969 , Warner WS-1790) Warner Brothers Records Compilations '' Music From "The Ernie Game" '' ( 1968 ) Canadian National Film Board Singles ''Mr. John'' ( 1967 ) (Stone) ''Bobby's Birthday'' ( 1967 ) (Stone) ''I Would Be The One'' ( 1968 ) ( Warner Bros. ) ''Witch's Stone'' ( 1968 ) ( Warner Bros. ) ''Help Me'' ( 1969 ) ( Warner Bros. ) |
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