Cat - ST

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Light of Love	03:52
	2	Burly Shirley	03:11
	3	The Pigeon Song	02:52
	4	The Whole World's Watching	02:30
	5	Looking Through a Glass Darkly	02:40
	6	Johnny B. Goode	02:53

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Blank Space	02:52
	2	I'm Gonna Hijack a Plane to Cuba	03:18
	3	Solo Flight	03:39
	4	We're All in This Together	04:55
	5	Goodbye	02:55

Photos

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Information/Write-up

Cat: A Canadian Rock Band (1964-1972)

Cat was a Toronto-based rock band that originated in 1964 under the name The Spasstiks. The group consisted of Jim Campbell (lead vocals, percussion), Graham Fidler (bass, vocals), Mike McQueen (guitar), Phil Mulholland (drums), and Gary O'Connor (guitar, keyboards). Their early years saw them performing extensively in Ontario and the northeastern United States, where they gained a strong following.

In 1968, they rebranded as Cat and became a popular attraction on the live music circuit. Their growing reputation led to their participation in the legendary Festival Express tour in 1970, where they shared the stage with renowned acts such as Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, and The Band. This period marked a peak in their career, coinciding with the release of their self-titled album.

Cat’s only album, Cat (1970), was recorded in Chicago and produced by Jack Richardson, best known for his work with The Guess Who. It featured a blend of soft rock, pop ballads, and even some bubblegum influences. The album included notable tracks such as "Light of Love," a rock-driven version of "Johnny B. Goode," and "We're All in This Together," which gained recognition in Canada. One of the album’s highlights, "Blank Space," exhibited psychedelic elements reminiscent of Eric Burdon’s "Monterey."

Despite their initial success, Cat disbanded in 1972. Following the breakup, Gary O’Connor embarked on a solo career in the early 1980s under the name Gary O', releasing singles such as "Pay You Back with Interest" and "All the Young Heroes," while also gaining recognition as a songwriter for artists like 38 Special and Eddie Money. Jim Campbell transitioned into the music business, becoming a record executive with WEA in 1974. The remaining members went on to form the band Fast Eddie.

Though their time in the spotlight was brief, Cat remains a notable part of Canada’s rock history, particularly for their participation in the Festival Express and their connection to the broader Canadian rock movement of the early 1970s.
-Robert Williston

Jim Campbell: lead vocals, percussion
Graham Fiddler: bass, vocals
Mike McQueen: guitar
Phil Mulholland: drums
Gary O'Conner: guitar, keyboards

Produced and recorded by Jack Richardson, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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