Soma

Websites:  No
Origin: Truro, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Soma was a powerful original band, began in Delmer's Barn, Truro, Nova Scotia in 1969, a combination of three of the areas biggest bands, The 5 Sounds (Ritchie Oakley, Jack Harris, Keith Jollimore), The Lincolns (Frank MacKay, Layne Francis, Don Muir) and The Stitch in Tyme (Bob Murphy, Grant Fullerton, Bruce Wheaton, Donnie Morris) and violinist Andrew Melzer, and drummer Norman Calp. They will always be remembered for many reasons: Frank MaKay's powerful vocals, their thundering sound and pounding arrangements of their very different and meaningful original songs.

Soma was formed in 1969 by former "The Stitch In Tyme" keyboard player/turned rhythm guitarist, Bob Murphy. A number of players revolved in and out of the band in its early days until it played its first gig at Delmar's Barn just outside of Truro, Nova Scotia. The show sold out. The line up at this gig was Murphy, former "The Stitch In Tyme" bandmates, Donnie Morris on bass and Bruce Wheaton on congas, former members of "The Lincolns", singer Frank MacKay, organist Donnie Muir, saxophonist Layne Francis (The Novatones) and trumpeter Charlie Grey, Ritchie Oakley (who played bass in "The Five Sounds" which became "Central Nervous System") on lead guitar, drummer Norman Calp from Saint John, New Brunswick, saxophonist Duncan George and electric violinist, Andrew Metzler.

Band name, "Soma" was taken from the name of a drug in Aldous Huxley's book "Brave New World".

This line-up was short lived as Wheaton, who wanted to return to playing guitar and writing his own songs, returned to Ontario to form "Everyday People". His replacement was Oakley's friend Jack Harris. Oakley's former "Central Nervous System" bandmate, Keith Jollimore replaced Duncan George on sax. In the fall of 1969 the band went to Toronto. Harris switched to drums and for awhile the band had two drummers until the departure of Calp. The line-up was reduced further with the departure of Grey and Metzler.

Before the line up was pared down to a six piece band, they had a recording session in Detroit, Michigan. Unfounded rumor that the band was based there came from this session. Unfortunately the material from this session was never released, and in fact the tapes would appear to be in the hands of an ex-roadie. They became a six piece band when Layne Francis left the band to form the Truro, N.S. based "Horse" and Keith Jollimore joined "Lighthouse".

In 1971, with the line-up reduced down to Oakley, Harris, Murphy, MacKay, Morris,and Muir (Ohmmmm as credited on the singles), the band released its first single (Train/Welcome Love) on Aquarius Records. Second single (Technicolor Dreams/The Box) was released in 1972. Both singles charted.

Early in 1972, the band broke up for approximately four months. MacKay joined the existing band, "Turnpike" which changed its name to "Junk". Muir joined the Truro based band, "Horse". Oakley, Morris and Harris teamed up with Saint John, N.B. singer, Terry Hatty to form "Oakley, Morris, Harris and Hatty".

In June of 1972, Halifax entrepreneur Peter Christakos got MacKay, Morris, Muir, Oakley and Harris back together and took over management of the band.

During their career, Soma was the opening act for several famous bands including: Chicago, Sly And The Family Stone, The J Geils Band, Santana and Rod Stewart.

Late in 1976, things started to come apart with the departure of MacKay and Morris. Manager Peter Christakos tried to keep band alive by bringing in new musicians. This led to the creation of the band "Ram ".

MacKay went on to an acting career and also continues to sing with various bands of the best available local musicians. Oakley left to form the highly popular Oakley. Muir continued with Ram until they broke up and then played with The Dutch Mason Blues Band. Morris formed his own band Zipper and later rejoined Oakley in the Oakley band. Harris went on to play in Chalice. Murphy formed the country band "Bob Murphy and Big Buffalo".
-written based on info provided by: Frank MacKay, Ritchie Oakley, Terry Hatty, Bruce Wheaton, Jim Rice, Duncan George and Richard Bonner.

This band drew members from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Montréal, Québec. Their debut 45 climbed to No. 54 on 19th June 1971.

Bob Murphy: rhythm guitar, vocals
Ritchie Oakley: lead guitar
Frank MacKay: lead vocals
Layne Francis: saxophones
Keith Jollimore: saxophones, clarinet, flute
Jack Harris: drums, percussion
Donny Morris: bass, vocals
Donnie Muir: organ, vocals
Bruce Wheaton: percussion, vocals