Tyme & A Half

Tyme & A Half were a late-1960s pop-psych group from Trenton, Ontario, representing a crucial transitional chapter in the evolution of the band that would later emerge nationally as Noah.

The group’s roots trace back to Buzzy and the Belvederes, formed in the mid-1960s by bassist and vocalist Barry “Buzz” Vandersel, who was just 14 years old at the time, alongside his cousins Marinus Vandertogt (guitar, vocals) and Peter Vandertogt (drums, percussion, vocals). With the addition of lead vocalist Paul Clapper, the band became a popular fixture on the local Trenton club circuit.

After coming to the attention of Al MacMillan at the newly formed Nimbus 9 Productions, the group adopted the more contemporary name Tyme & A Half. Under this name, they released two singles between 1968 and 1969, including ‘It’s Been a Long Time’ backed with ‘Magic Island’, followed by ‘Cassandra’ b/w ‘It’s Happening Here’. The debut single received notable regional airplay, charting as high as #20 on CFRA-AM in Ottawa.

Musically, Tyme & A Half occupied a polished pop-psych space, blending melodic songwriting with light orchestration and early psychedelic textures. Tracks such as ‘Magic Island’ revealed a more adventurous studio approach, aligning the band with contemporary soft-psych trends of the era while still maintaining strong vocal harmonies and radio-friendly structures.

As Nimbus 9 producer Jack Richardson took a deeper interest in the group, their sound began shifting toward a heavier, blues-based direction. This stylistic evolution, coupled with broader ambitions, led to another name change. By 1970, Tyme & A Half had transformed into Noah, securing a recording contract with RCA Victor and closing the chapter on their late-1960s incarnation.

Though short-lived, Tyme & A Half remain an important snapshot of Ontario’s late-1960s pop-psych scene and a formative stage in the career of Barry “Buzz” Vandersel, whose songwriting, musicianship, and leadership would carry forward into Noah’s most celebrated recordings.
-Robert Williston

Lineup (Noah era)
Core lineup (self-titled LP, 1970):
Paul Clapper: lead vocals
Barry “Buzz” Vandersel: lead vocals, bass
Marinus Vandertogt: lead guitar, vocals
Peter Vandertogt: drums, percussion, vocals

Subsequent members / touring & Peaceman’s Farm era:
Ron Neilson: lead guitar
Al Manning: guitar
Jim Morgan: organ

Associated contributor:
Randy Bachman: guitar, producer

Lineup (Tyme & A Half era)

Paul Clapper: vocals, guitar
Barry “Buzz” Vandersel: vocals, bass
Marinus Vandertogt: guitar, vocals
Peter Vandertogt: drums, percussion, vocals

Bottom Row Barry Vandersel and Danny Farrar
Middle: Marinus Vandertogt and Paul Clapper
Top: Peter Vandertogt