Zon

Websites:  No
Origin: Toronto, Ontario
Biography:

Toronto progressive rock band Zon formed in the mid-70's and soon came to the attention of CBS Records A & R chief Bob Gallo. They released two albums for Epic (distributed by CBS) and gained a foothold in the Canadian prog rock sweepstakes next to the likes of Saga, Klaatu, FM and Rhinegold.

The Don V. Lorusso produced 'Astral Projector', released on blue vinyl, became an FM radio staple in the late '70's. The album garnered the band a 'Best New Group' Juno nomination. The band would find themselves opening up gigs for the likes of The Tubes at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, and Styx at CNE Stadium getting opening slot encores on both occasions!

1979's 'Back Down To Earth' was produced by Don V. Lorusso and the late Vancouver keyboard whiz Dale Jacobs. The band played Toronto as headliners where a hometown crowd swelled to 17,800 people. A reporter for the Globe & Mail, who had only stayed to see the opening act, wrote a scathing review thinking he had seen Zon. The negative review was the headline of the entertainment page, nationally in Canada. CBS demanded compensation for the impact on Zon's popularity but neither the band, nor the label, ever recovered.

Zon was dropped from CBS after a thorough corporate housecleaning of the A & R Department despite Zon already having their contract picked up for a third album.

The ensuing legal battle took much of the heart out of the band, but they did manage one more album for Falcon Records called 'I'm Worried About The Boys' produced by then former CBS A & R man Bob Gallo. The record featured a cover version of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane".
The band split up in 1981.
-Jaimie Vernon

Roddi Chappell (Lightspeed): guitar)
Howard Helm: keyboards, vocals
Kim Hunt: drums, percussion
Pat McQuire: drums
Brian Miller: guitar, vocals
Jim Samson: bass
Denton Young: lead vocals, cello, percussion