Christopher Edward Campaign - Hard Times b/w You're My Life

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Hard Times	02:09

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	You're My Life	02:43

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Information/Write-up

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.

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

Written by Doug Brooks (Hard Times); and Greg Hambleton (You're My Life)
Produced by Barry Keane

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