Blind Ravage

Websites:  https://citizenfreak.com/artists/93132-clockwork
Origin: Laval, Québec, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Blind Ravage was a Canadian hard rock band formed in September 1969 in Laval, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec. The original lineup consisted of Jean (John) Charbonneau on guitar and vocals, Bob Dufour on bass and lead vocals, and Danny Gorman on drums. The trio performed extensively in Montreal's nightclub circuit, delivering energetic covers of artists like Rod Stewart, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin.

During one of their performances, Charbonneau and Dufour met drummer André Deguire, who was backing various shows and singers at the time. Following Gorman's departure, Deguire was invited to join the band. Deguire had previously collaborated with organist and pianist Serge Fleury in a Montreal R&B group. Fleury, a former music professor at a Montreal high school, was well-acquainted with Dufour from their early 1960s band, The Furys, which had gained popularity in Montreal's dance halls with covers of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Fleury's addition to the group solidified the classic lineup of Blind Ravage.

In 1971, Blind Ravage released their self-titled debut album under the Crescent Street label, produced by Ken Ayoub. The album featured primarily original compositions, with the exception of a cover of The Beatles' "Birthday." The single "Loser" backed with "My Life" was released as a single. Despite the album's limited commercial success, it has since become a sought-after collector's item, praised for its raw energy and impressive guitar work.

The band toured extensively across Quebec, Ontario, and the northeastern United States, performing in states such as New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Their live shows were known for their high energy and musicianship. However, by 1973, Blind Ravage disbanded.

Following the split, Dufour, Deguire, and Fleury embarked on a progressive rock project called Clockwork, drawing inspiration from bands like Genesis and Yes. Clockwork gained popularity in Quebec and released a single titled "Cybernaut" backed with "Mean Lady" before disbanding in late 1975. Subsequently, Dufour and Charbonneau formed a country rock band named Mirage, which lasted a couple of years. Listen here: https://citizenfreak.com/titles/271537-clockwork-cybernaut-b-w-mean-lady

In the late 1970s, the members pursued separate paths but remained close friends, occasionally reuniting for special events. André Deguire passed away in 1997, and Jean Charbonneau died in late 2006. In 2007, Gear Fab Records reissued the band's self-titled album, bringing renewed attention to their work. Bob Dufour and Serge Fleury have continued to explore blues music over the past two decades and still perform together occasionally.

Blind Ravage's legacy endures as a testament to the vibrant Canadian rock scene of the early 1970s, reflecting a blend of hard rock energy and blues influences that continue to resonate with enthusiasts and collectors.

Foreword
I was first turned on to the music of Blind Ravage several years ago by my collector friend Richard Czcerdarek, who lives near Toronto. He had asked me if I knew of anyone that had a copy. I soon found out that copies of the original LP were going for over $300 (I bought one).

The first time I listened to it I was in awe of the raw but yet polished sound of this Canadian band. It took me five years to find the two surviving members, Serge and Bob.

This release is dedicated to the memory of Jean Charbonneau and Andre Deguire.
-Roger Maglio, Gear Fab Records, August, 2007

THE BLIND RAVAGE STORY
BLIND RAVAGE was formed in September 1969 in Laval, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec. Jean (John) Charbonneau (guitar, vocals) and Bob Dufour (bass, lead vocals) had been working together along with drummer Danny Gorman doing gigs in various night clubs in and around Montreal. They met with Andre Deguire (drummer, vocals) at one of these clubs where he was backing up shows and singers. On account of Danny's departure, John and Bob asked Andre to join the group.

Andre had been gigging in a Montreal R&B group with Serge Fleury (organ, piano, vocals) who was doing R&B at the time and who knew Bob well, having played with him in the early sixties with The Funes. That band had been a mixture of cover songs of The Byrds and The Beatles and Stones material for many years. John and Bob asked Serge to join as well, and this is how Blind Ravage was established.

The group did gigs, mostly in Montreal doing covers of Rod Stewart, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and The Stooges, along with their original material which was well received by the audience. After a year of rehearsing, they decided to record their first album. This album consisted of all original material except one cover of the Beatles' song Birthday. The song Loser by My Life was taken from that album.

The band played various concerts in Quebec, Ontario and in the northeastern states such as New York, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire before disbanding in 1973. Bob and Andre and Serge came up with a progressive rock project Genesis type called Clockwork that became very popular especially in Quebec. They also came up with a single called Cybernaut b/w Mean Lady that was very YES oriented. They went on until late 1975. Later, Bob and John formed a country rock band called Mirage that lasted a couple of years.

In the late seventies, the four musicians went their own ways but stayed close friends and performed together occasionally on special events. Andre passed away in 1997 and John died at the end of 2006. Bob and Serge have been mostly into blues over the past 20 years and still gig together once in a while.

Serge Fleury
Laval, Quebec, Canada
May, 2007

The Dictionary describes "Blind Ravage" as "Reckless Devastation." We describe "Blind Ravage" as uninhibited performers who devastate their audience with their hard rock sound. If you are prepared to be ravaged, put this album on your sound system and get ready for a devastating experience.

JEAN CHARBONNEAU - Guitar:
Jean was born in Rigaud Quebec on March 16, 1947. He also plays piano on the record. Playing music since the age of 7, he has learned to play bass, mouth organ, and guitar and is outstanding on these instruments.

ANDRE DEGUIRE - Drums:
Born in old Montreal, March 1948. He has been playing the drums for six years. Andres has a long record of success in the music business, such as playing on some of the top recording dates for name performers, etc. Caught between making a decision to leave his studio work and joining up with the group, he then decided to do what he wanted most — here he is today with Blind Ravage. He is also an outstanding songwriter. "My Life" on their first single release was composed by Andre.

SERGE FLEURY - Organ:
Serge, the organizer of Blind Ravage plays mainly organ and piano. He was born in Laval-des-Rapid (a suburb of Montreal) in September 1944. Serge was a music professor in a Montreal high school for four years. His ambition was to get out and do more in life to further his talents. That is when he decided to form Blind Ravage. Now heading the group successfully, he does not regret a moment of it. He keeps the group constantly in work, playing at high schools on one-nighters.

ROBERT DUFOUR - Bass:
Bob is also a very fine songwriter. Born in Chomedey, Quebec in November, 1940, he plays mouth organ and guitar as well. Collaborating on "Loser" with Jean Charbonneau, the two have turned out a great song. Most of the cuts on their soon-to-be released album are written by them.

Jean Charbonneau: guitar, vocals, piano, bass, mouth organ
Robert (Bob) Dufour: bass, lead vocals, guitar, mouth organ
Serge Fleury: organ, piano, vocals
André Deguire: drums, vocals