THE ROCK-A-TUNES
Hank Smith and Butch McGillis met in 1957 while touring with Joe Kozaks Western Canadian Hayride Show. Both were involved in the country music scene, but the new sound of rock and roll coming from the States was a major influence on them. They soon decided to form their own group, convinced that they could get higher pay and a better chance of success than just being session players or touring members of someone elses band. With the addition of Gordie Grey on guitar, the Rock-A-Tunes were formed in the fall of 1958.
About the same time they formed the band, Hank and Butch also formed Rock-A-Tune Records to handle the release of their own recordings. Western Canada had few record labels and none that would support a young group playing the new rock and roll sound. Adding Al Girard on drums, the Rock-A-Tunes recorded and released their first three singles in just over 12 months, while also touring extensively across Canada. Recording was done at a local radio station, generally using a single microphone placed in the middle of the studio. For each of the records released on the Rock-A-Tunes Records label, Hank sang lead vocal on one side and Butch was lead on the flip side. Woman Fever, You're Some Of Nice, and Heart Beat, were some of their early releases.
In 1959 they were the first Canadian group to be signed to Columbia Records, and two further singles were released. Unfortunately the singles were not hits, as the rockabilly sound had passed with Elvis being drafted, and the new smooth sounds of teenybopper singers had become the new face of popular music. The Rock-A-Tunes continued to rock with the addition of saxman Jerry Triska, Dave Israel on keyboards, and Dave McLauchlin on bass, and brothers Tom and Bill Eccleston on tenor sax.
The demise of the Rock-A-Tunes is an interesting story. In 1960, the song Muleskinner Blues had been a massive hit for the American group, the Fendermen. In 1962, after they recorded and released an album, the original Fendermen quit their own band. In order to continue promoting the LP, the record label decided to create an all-new lineup of the Fendermen. The Rock-A-Tunes were offered the chance to become the touring Fendermen. Against Hank Smiths objections, the rest of the band took the offer and moved to the States. The Rock-A-Tunes were no more. Sadly Hank Smith passed away in October of 2002.
Discography:
Rock-a-tune 1010 - Danny (Hank Smith) / Woman Fever (Butch McGillis)
Rock-a-tune 1011 - Honey Baby Sugar (Butch McGillis) / You're The Only One (Hank Smith)
Rock-a-tune 1012 - Rock and Roll Hepcat (Hank Smith) / Love You So (Hank Smith)
Rock-a-tune 1013 - Maria (Hank Smith) / You're Some Kinda Nice (Butch McGillis)
Columbia C4-2613 - Tomorrow (Butch McGillis) / Girls Nowadays (Hank Smith)
Columbia C4-2619 - Heartbeat (Butch McGillis) /Crazy Love (Hank Smith)
** Information supplied by Rick Liukko of Freecloud Records.
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Concert photos by Drew BorgwardtI
