Mynah Birds - Lost Motown Tracks & Studio Outtakes

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	It's My Time (Mix 1)	03:17
	2	I'll Wait Forever (Mix 1)	02:50
	3	Masquerade (Take 1, Mix 1)	01:15
	4	Masquerade (Take 2, Mix 1)	01:30
	5	Fantasy (Mix 1)	02:20
	6	I've Got You In My Soul	02:42
	7	Go On & Cry	03:28

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Information/Write-up

Formed in Toronto in 1964, The Mynah Birds were one of Canada’s most improbable and fascinating bands—a shape-shifting, interracial R&B-rock group whose brief flame included Rick James and Neil Young, and whose music was nearly released by Motown before collapsing under the weight of military scandal.

The group's roots trace back to the bohemian Yorkville scene, where a teenaged Rickie Matthews (Rick James), AWOL from the U.S. Navy, walked into the El Patio club in uniform and was invited onstage by bassist Nick St. Nicholas to sing with a loose outfit known as the Swinging Doors. Alongside Ian Gobel (guitar) and Rick Cameron (drums), the raw charisma of Matthews soon took center stage. Their popularity at the El Patio attracted the eccentric businessman Colin Kerr, who renamed them The Mynah Birds after his pet bird, Rajah, and insisted the band adopt black-and-yellow uniforms to match.

Under Kerr’s guidance, the group recorded their first Canadian single in early 1965 for Columbia Records: “The Mynah Bird Hop” backed with “The Mynah Bird Song” (C4-2660). Written by Kerr’s brother Ben Kerr, the record featured Jimmy Livingston (vocals), Frank Arnel (guitar), and Goldy McJohn (organ), and included contributions from several players who floated in and out of the lineup. Though a commercial failure, it marked Rick James’s first official studio release.

Kerr’s influence on the band extended beyond music—he often staged outrageous publicity stunts and even brought the real-life bird, Rajah, onstage, much to the chagrin of Matthews. A short CBC film was also shot at the Devil's Den club, featuring this early lineup, though the footage is now presumed lost.

By mid-1965, Bruce Palmer replaced St. Nicholas on bass, and the group distanced itself from Kerr, especially after he suggested they shave their heads to resemble mynah birds. Backed by department store heir John Craig Eaton, they revamped the lineup with musicians from Brantford's The Bunkys: Tom Morgan (lead guitar), John Taylor (rhythm guitar), and Rick Mason (drums). This version of the group adopted a Stones-inspired image and performed at clubs like the Sapphire Tavern while also touring northern Ontario.

In early 1966, Morgan departed, and Palmer recruited his former Winnipeg acquaintance: Neil Young. Young joined on 12-string electric guitar just as the band secured a deal with Motown Records. Traveling to Detroit, they recorded multiple tracks at Hitsville U.S.A. under the supervision of producers Mickey Stevenson, Michael Valvano, and R. Dean Taylor, with Smokey Robinson also reportedly involved.

Among the songs tracked during these sessions were: “It’s My Time,” “Go On and Cry,” “I Got You (In My Soul),” and “I’ll Wait Forever.” Several additional titles remain unreleased or were only documented via BMI registration, including “Out in the Country,” “Little Girl,” and other Matthews/Taylor collaborations. The group also performed with Motown artists during the sessions, and each member reportedly tracked parts individually.

A single—“It’s My Time” b/w “Go On and Cry”—was prepared for release on the V.I.P. label (catalogue no. 25033), but the plan was abandoned after Motown was informed that Matthews was a U.S. Navy deserter. Pressured by label executives, Matthews agreed to turn himself in, bringing the project to a halt.

In the aftermath, Neil Young and Bruce Palmer sold their equipment and drove a hearse to Los Angeles, where they joined forces with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay to form Buffalo Springfield. Rick James, after serving time, returned to Motown as a songwriter and producer before launching his career as a funk icon.

The Mynah Birds continued briefly: Taylor and Mason reformed the group with returning guitarist Tom Morgan, bassist John Klassen, and new vocalist Mark Smith. They played through early 1967, but the original spark was gone.

Later that year, Rick James attempted a revival with Bill Ross (guitar), Al Morrison (drums), and Neil Lillie (bass and vocals; later Neil Merryweather). They recorded two songs at Motown, "Masquerade" and "Fantasy," but the group fell apart after an internal conflict. James made another attempt in 1968 with Lillie, Bruce Cockburn (guitar), Marty Fisher (keys), and Gordon MacBain (drums), but a pending jail sentence cut the plan short. The group evolved into The Flying Circus, and later Merryweather.

Though only a few recordings ever surfaced, The Mynah Birds’ legacy remains legendary. A 2012 Record Store Day release finally issued “It’s My Time” and “Go On and Cry” on 7-inch vinyl. In 2016, Motown digitally released “I’ll Wait Forever” and “I Got You (In My Soul)” as part of their Unreleased 1966 series. Numerous other songs remain unheard.

The Mynah Birds are remembered not for what they achieved, but for what they nearly became: a band that might have fused Motown soul, British Invasion energy, and Yorkville spirit into something truly original. Their story remains one of the most captivating what-ifs in Canadian and American music history.
-Robert Williston

1. It’s My Time
Writers: Rick James (credited as Ricky Matthews), Neil Young, Michael Valvano, R. Dean Taylor
Recorded: January 1966 at Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit
Produced by: William “Mickey” Stevenson, Michael Valvano, R. Dean Taylor
Release history: Intended as Motown V.I.P. 25033 A-side single (withdrawn); later released in 2006 on The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 6: 1966, and on a 2012 Record Store Day 7″ single.
Rick James: lead vocals
Neil Young: 12-string electric guitar
John Taylor: rhythm guitar
Bruce Palmer: bass
Rickman Mason: drums
R. Dean Taylor: arrangement, possibly keyboards (probable)
Unknown: backing vocals, additional instruments (unconfirmed)

2. I’ll Wait Forever
Writers: Rick James (Matthews), Neil Young, Michael Valvano, R. Dean Taylor
Recorded: January 1966, Hitsville U.S.A.
Release history: Unreleased until issued digitally by Motown in 2016 as part of Motown Unreleased 1966.
Rick James: vocals
Neil Young: guitar
John Taylor: rhythm guitar
Bruce Palmer: bass
Rickman Mason: drums
R. Dean Taylor: arrangement, possibly keyboards (probable)
Unknown: background vocals, additional instruments (unconfirmed)

3. Masquerade (Take 1)
Writers: Rick James and collaborators (exact registration uncertain)
Recorded: June 21, 1967 session, Motown Studios, Detroit
Release history: Unreleased; circulated unofficially via bootlegs such as Studio Outtakes 1966.
Notes: Early instrumental take, no vocals recorded.
Rick James: bandleader, likely composer
Neil Lillie (Neil Merryweather): bass
Bill Ross: guitar
Al Morrison: drums
R. Dean Taylor: producer
Unknown: keyboards (unconfirmed)

4. Masquerade (Take 2)
Writers: Rick James and collaborators (exact registration uncertain)
Recorded: June 21, 1967 session, Motown Studios, Detroit
Release history: Unreleased; appears on same bootleg sources as Take 1.
Notes: Alternate instrumental mix or rehearsal version.
Rick James: bandleader, likely composer
Neil Lillie (Neil Merryweather): bass
Bill Ross: guitar
Al Morrison: drums
R. Dean Taylor: producer
Unknown: keyboards (unconfirmed)

5. Fantasy
Writers: Unknown (possibly Rick James and session collaborators)
Recorded: June 21, 1967, Motown Studios
Release history: Never officially released; circulated via collector bootlegs only.
Notes: Instrumental studio demo, no vocals known to have been recorded.
Rick James: bandleader, likely composer
Neil Lillie (Neil Merryweather): bass
Bill Ross: guitar
Al Morrison: drums
R. Dean Taylor: producer
Unknown: keyboards (unconfirmed)

6. I’ve Got You (In My Soul)
Writers: Rick James (Matthews), John Taylor
Recorded: January 1966, Hitsville U.S.A.
Release history: Digitally issued in 2016 by Motown on Motown Unreleased 1966
Notes: Included in BMI repertoire database under the authors listed above.
Rick James: lead vocals
John Taylor: rhythm guitar
Neil Young: lead guitar
Bruce Palmer: bass
Rickman Mason: drums
R. Dean Taylor: arrangement, possibly keyboards (probable)
Unknown: backing vocals, additional instruments (unconfirmed)

7. Go On and Cry
Writers: Rick James (Matthews), John Taylor, Michael Valvano, R. Dean Taylor
Recorded: January 1966
Produced by: Stevenson, Valvano, Taylor
Release history: Intended B-side to V.I.P. 25033; unreleased at the time. First issued in 2006 on The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 6, and also pressed for Record Store Day 2012.
Rick James: lead vocals
John Taylor: rhythm guitar
Neil Young: guitar
Bruce Palmer: bass
Rickman Mason: drums
R. Dean Taylor: co-production, likely arrangement
Unknown: session players, background vocals (unconfirmed)

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