Christopher Edward Campaign
Websites:
No
Origin:
Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:
Christopher Edward Campaign: A Forgotten Force in Late-60s Canadian Soul-Rock
Emerging from Toronto’s fertile late-1960s music scene, Christopher Edward Campaign was a large-format soul-rock ensemble that fused brass-heavy arrangements with driving rhythm & blues energy. Though they released just two singles on Quality Records, the group carved out a visible presence in the Canadian music press and featured a lineup of accomplished players who would go on to notable careers in music and beyond.
The band made an early impression in 1969 with their debut 45, “Hard Times” b/w “You’re My Life”, issued on Quality Records. The A-side was written by lead vocalist Doug Brooks, while the B-side was penned by Canadian pop writer Greg Hambleton (of Axe Records fame). Their follow-up release, “In Ten Years’ Time” b/w “Singing My Own Song”, continued their strong songwriting credentials, with the A-side composed by Jay Telfer (Steel River) and the B-side written by the band’s guitarist Stan Drozdoski.
Both singles were produced by Barry Keane, a Philadelphia-born drummer and producer who had relocated to Toronto at a young age. Keane was only 20 years old when he helmed these early sessions—his first known production credits. He would go on to a prolific career in Canadian music as A&R head for Quality Records, where he founded the Celebration label, and later as director of publishing at RCA Canada. As a drummer, Keane gained renown through his long association with Gordon Lightfoot, while also appearing on sessions for Anne Murray, Marty Butler, and acts like the Poor Souls. The albums he appeared on are at the bottom of this page.
By mid-1969, the Christopher Edward Campaign were making regular appearances in RPM Weekly, with reports of gigs at Toronto venues like The Night Owl, The Concord Tavern, and an Ontario university circuit. Studio time at Quality Records was also noted, and the band seemed poised for a breakout.
However, by late fall 1969, the group quietly disbanded. The November 22, 1969 issue of RPM confirmed the split, though it also noted that two additional recordings remained “in the can” at Quality Records.
While brief, Christopher Edward Campaign’s time together showcased the range of talent percolating in Canada’s late-60s club scene—where soul, jazz, and rock collided. Their singles remain sought-after by collectors and serve as an overlooked chapter in Toronto’s rich musical history.
Chris Kellesis
Keyboardist Chris Kellesis provided the Christopher Edward Campaign with its soulful harmonic core before co-founding the Toronto progressive hard rock band Jackal in 1969 with his brother Jack and vocalist Charlie Shannon. After recording solo material at Bay Studios, Kellesis shifted toward a heavier, organ-driven sound that culminated in Jackal’s 1973 cult LP Awake on Periwinkle Records. His swirling keyboards and compositional leadership were central to the band’s blend of fuzzed-out rock and psych-prog ambition, helping cement Awake as a buried treasure of early Canadian progressive music.
Gary Wyonch
Drummer Gary Wyonch (1947–2018) was a respected Toronto musician remembered for his generosity and lifelong passion for music. His tenure in Christopher Edward Campaign marked one of his earliest known professional engagements.
Stan Drozdoski
Lead guitarist Stan Drozdoski went on to front the Grampa Band, a successful touring act during the 1970s and '80s. Their RPM-charting singles “Canadian Way of Life” and “Ragtime Molly” achieved national recognition. Stan later operated multiple Records on Wheels stores in Toronto and continues to sell records online through stantherecordman.com.
Legacy
Despite their short lifespan and limited recorded output, Christopher Edward Campaign exemplified the ambitious, genre-blending spirit of Canadian music at the end of the 1960s. With their brass-driven arrangements and strong musicianship, the band built a regional following and left behind two underappreciated 45s that remain highly sought after by collectors. Their story—like many from the pre-CanCon era—is one of unrealized potential and scattered post-band success that today is finally being rediscovered.
-Robert Williston
Doug Brooks: lead vocals
Stan Drozdoski: lead guitar
Alex Lowire: bass
Gary Wyonch: drums
Chris Kellesis: keyboards
Brent Martin: trumpet
Bob McCumber: tenor saxophone, vocals
Dave Stasiuk: tenor sax
Bill Taylor: vocals
Related Discography Links:
Jackal – Awake (Chris Kellesis)
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/284377-jackal-awake
Grampa Band – Canadian Way of Life / Ragtime Molly (Stan Drozdoski)
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/318815-grampa-band-canadian-way-of-life-b-w-canadian-way-of-life
Steel River
https://citizenfreak.com/artists/103570-steel-river
The Poor Souls (Barry Keane, producer)
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/322801-poor-souls-comin-round-b-w-workin-man
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/322800-poor-souls-lookin-round-b-w-scarecrow
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/317323-poor-souls-in-the-land-of-the-few-b-w-no-more
Greg Hambleton (Ogopogo)
https://citizenfreak.com/titles/282291-hambleton-greg-ogopogo-b-w-the-ookpik-song
Barry Keane appearances (not exhaustive)
Aldo Nova – Self-titled (EPK Video)
Amy Sky – Cool Rain
Anne Murray – As I Am
Anne Murray – Croonin’
Anne Murray – The Best… So Far
Anne Murray – What a Wonderful World
Anne Murray – You Will
Anne Murray / Various – Anne Murray Presents: A Song For Canada
Artie Glen – Tell Me You Love Me
B. B. Gabor – Girls of the Future
B. B. Gabor – Metropolitan Life
Barry Keane – Presenting Barry Keane
Bob Luman – Nashville Sessions
Brian Edwards – You
Bruce Murray – …For You
Bryan Lee – The Blues Is…
Christopher Edward Campaign – Hard Times / You’re My Life (1969, Quality)
Christopher Edward Campaign – In Ten Years’ Time / Singing My Own Song (1969, Quality)
Colleen Peterson – Takin’ My Boots Off
Dan Hill – Hold On
Dan Hill – Let Me Show You
David Bradstreet – Renaissance
David Bradstreet – Dreaming in Colour
David Wilcox – Breakfast at the Circus
David Wilcox – The Natural Edge
Denise McCann – Tattoo Man
Dick Damron – Borderline
Dwayne Ford – Needless Freaking
Edward Bear – Best Of
Eric Mercury – Eric Mercury
Fred Penner – Special Delivery
Gary Buck – Best Of
Gary Fjellgaard – No Time to Lose
Gary Fjellgaard – Time and Innocence
Gary Fjellgaard – Under Western Skies
Gary Fjellgaard – Western Songs
George Hamilton IV – A Canadian Country Christmas
Gordie Tapp – Country Time
Gordon Lightfoot – Dream Street Rose
Gordon Lightfoot – East of Midnight
Gordon Lightfoot – Endless Wire
Gordon Lightfoot – Gord’s Gold Vol. 2
Gordon Lightfoot – Harmony
Gordon Lightfoot – Shadows
Gordon Lightfoot – Songbook (Box Set)
Gordon Lightfoot – Summertime Dream
Gordon Lightfoot – Waiting For You
Gowan – Strange Animal (drums only, not producer)
Harvey Andrews – Margarita
Helen Reddy – Imagination
Ian Tyson – I Outgrew the Wagon
Jack Lenz – The Message
Jim Witter – Self-titled
Joan Kennedy – Candle in the Window
Joan Kennedy – Family Pride
Joan Kennedy – Higher Ground
Joan Kennedy – One of the Guys
Joan Kennedy – Talk to My Heart
John McDermott – Love Is a Voyage
John McDermott – Old Friends
John McDermott – One Voice
John McDermott – The Danny Boy Collection
John McDermott – The Songs of the Isles
Johnny Cash / Various – A Canadian Tribute
Johnny Gold – One Track Mind
Ken Tobias – Magic’s in the Music
Kenny Rogers – Christmas From the Heart
Kenny Rogers – The Gift
Lawrence Gowan – Strange Animal (drummer only)
Lisa Dal Bello – Pretty Girls
Lucille Starr – Yours
Lulu – Independence
Marc Jordan – Talking Through Pictures
Mark Haines & The Zippers – Rockin’ In the Real World
Marshall Law – Skin
Mary Lou Collins – Love Hurts
Matt Minglewood – Me & the Boys
Matt Minglewood – The Story
Michael Damus – Dreams
Michael Vincent – Self-titled
Murray McLauchlan – Heroes
Murray McLauchlan – Into a Mystery
Murray McLauchlan – Storm Warning
Murray McLauchlan – Sweeping the Spotlight Away
Murray McLauchlan – Whispering Rain
Neil Young / Gordon Lightfoot / Joni Mitchell – Canadian All-Stars (Various contributions)
Patricia Conroy – Bad Day for Trains
Patricia Conroy – You Can’t Resist
Paul Anka – Freedom For the World
Paul Anka – Somebody Loves You
Paul Anka – Songs of December
Patsy Gallant – Are You Ready For Love
Patsy Gallant – Stranger in the Mirror
Patricia Dahlquist – This is Patricia Dahlquist
Paul Janz – Electricity
Pavlo – Fantasia
Pavlo – Trifecta
Poor Souls – Lookin’ Round / Toronto '69
Randy Bachman – Any Road
Ray Griff – Canadian Pacific
Rita MacNeil – Reason to Believe
Roger Doucet – O Canada (NHL Version)
Ron Nigrini – Rogue Waves
Ronnie Prophet – Prophet Country
Ronnie Prophet & Glory-Anne – Together
Ronney Abramson – Jukebox of Paris
Ronney Abramson – Stowaway
Roxanne Potvin – The Way It Feels
Samantha Fox – Greatest Hits
Shari Ulrich – Long Nights
Shari Ulrich – One Step Ahead
Shaye – Lake of Fire
Silver – Self-titled
Sneezy Waters – You’ve Got Sawdust on the Floor of Your Heart
Susan Aglukark – Big Feeling
Terry Carisse – Story of the Year
Terry Crawford – Good Girl Gone Bad
The Bells – Fly Little White Dove Fly
The Bells – Studio Albums
The Canadian Brass – Swingtime
The Canadian Brass – Red, White & Brass
The Irish Rovers – 25 Years Celebration
The Irish Rovers – Children of the Unicorn
The Irish Rovers – Live!
The Irish Rovers – Silver Anniversary
The Irish Rovers – The Best of the Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers – Years May Come, Years May Go
The Mercey Brothers – Comin’ On Stronger
The Mercey Brothers – Have a Party
The Mercey Brothers – Pick of the Hits
The Mercey Brothers – The Best of the Mercey Brothers
The Mercey Brothers – You’re My Wife
Tom Jackson – The Huron Carole
Tom Jackson – The Huron Carole: Hope
Tom Jackson – The Essential Tom Jackson
Tom Lavin and the Powder Blues – First Decade / Greatest Hits
Tommy Ambrose – Gospel Road
Tommy Ambrose – Sweet Music
Valdy – Passport: Best of Valdy
Valdy – Valdy’s Kid’s Record
Various Artists – Across the Great Divide
Various Artists – Canada for Asia
Various Artists – Homegrown Café
Various Artists – Spirit of the Season
Willie P. Bennett – The Lucky Ones
Zappacosta – Quick!… Don’t Ask Any Questions
