I'm Only Dreaming b/w Measles

The Lyme were a short-lived Winnipeg, Manitoba psychedelic rock group whose only known single, “Measles” / “I’m Only Dreaming,” was released on Dominion 99 in 1969. The record has long been noted by collectors as purportedly the first stereo 45 released in Canada, and it might have had a stronger local chart life had it not arrived in the shadow of The Guess Who’s breakthrough hit “These Eyes,” issued only months earlier. Both groups were connected through the Quasimodo Agency, led by Don Hunter and Ray White.

The Lyme came together after keyboardist Terry Read returned to Winnipeg from Burlington with bassist Rick Keens, joining George Crakewich, Gary Sherbanow, Wade Gargan, and the rest of the group. Keens left before the band recorded commercially, with Mark Thiessen replacing him on bass for the studio sessions, including a demo version of “Morning Dew.” The group also appeared on national television on the weekly afternoon CBC program hosted by Chad Allan with The Guess Who.

Both sides of the Dominion single were recorded at Century 21 Studios in Winnipeg and produced by a young Randy Bachman, who also added guitar. The languid, organ-led “I’m Only Dreaming” leaned toward the AM radio sound of the period, while “Measles” carried a more electric, moody feel with trippy double-tracked vocals and a darker psychedelic edge. Both tracks later appeared on the 2009 Super Oldies 2-CD compilation Buried Treasures: Winnipeg Rock Gems 1958–1974.

The Lyme’s connection to later Manitoba rock history continued through drummer Wade Gargan, who resurfaced more than a decade later as drummer and vocalist with the Winnipeg hard rock trio Magik.

—Robert Williston