THE GAINSBOROUGH GALLERY

Mel Degan - lead vocals
Jae Mack - lead vocals
Peter Marley - guitar & vocals
Dennis Paul - bass, group leader
Ray McAndrew - drums
Tim McHugh - keyboards
Henry Small - vocals, violin

The Gainsborough Gallery formed in Calgary, Alberta Canada in late 1964 as The Skeptics. Dennis Paul (Planidin) who had previously been with Wes Dakus' Rebels, and Mel Degan (previously with "Priviledge") came down from Edmonton & joined in 1966 and the group became "The Gainsborough Gallery". The name was keyboardist Tim McHugh's idea, after the "Gainsborough (Art) Gallery" in Calgary where the group had their fan mail directed to for pick up.

The group had done their first recordings at the small "Porter's" recording studio in Las Vegas, NV. The studio actually had a 5 minute recording charge "break" because it was located beside a train track and in the middle of recording sessions, would have to stop for 5 minutes as the train would pass by...after that, the clock was back on.

Since that venture brought them no luck, they decided to try Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, NM since Dennis Paul and Wes Dakus had recorded there before. In 1969 the group went there to record a full length album. "Life Is A Song" was released on Petty's Evolution label in December 1969, the title track written by George Tomsco of "The Fireballs". Tomsco came in with acoustic guitar, pitched them the song & they agreed to do a quick few takes of it yet that day. Interesting note is that Petty always tried to do something unique with songs, and in this case - the trumpet part was a young Mexican boy that they basically dragged off the street, who couldn't play overly well & they overdubbed his lead trumpet part for a "dual effect". "Life Is A Song" became their biggest hit, peaking at #54 on January 24th of 1970,and stayed on the Canadian music charts for 10 weeks. The album track "Dreams In A Box Car" features Peter Marley on lead vocals.

Another single was released from the Petty session "Ev'ry Man Hears Different Music" which did not appear on the LP. It peaked at #78 on April 11th, 1970 and stayed on the charts for 9 weeks. Frustrated with their lack success, they decided to continue until their contract was up, then disband. 

Their last performance together was opening for Canadian group "Lighthouse" at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary in March of 1971. McHugh is still involved with music & producing in Vancouver, BC, Henry Small joined Canadian groups "Small Wonder" & "Prism", Marley, McAndrew & Degan are still in the music industry and reside in Calgary. Jae Mack resides in Tennessee. Dennis Paul is a financial consultant in Arizona.

(2007) from Jae Mack: "Jae Mack sang the solo lead on "Thank You Girl" and "Turn Around & Love You". Jae and Mel sang duets on "It's Growing" and "Get Ready". Just before the single was released Mel went back to the Canadian Privelege for a bit. Henry Small was hired to replace him and Jae sang "Life is a Song" for the live performances. Before the album was released, Jae was asked to leave the group for 3 reasons. [1], Mel was coming back. [2] Jae was still a novice and [3] the group lost an East coast U.S tour because some clubs did not want a mixed color group (Jae Mack is Black)".


Singles
1968  My Little Red Book / Little By Little (Apex) 77075
1968  If You Knew / Sonny (Apex) 77081

1969  Life Is A Song / Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham (REO) 9026

1970  Everyman Hears A Different Music / I Think I'll Catch A Bus (REO) 9030
1970  House On Soul Hill / If She Didn't Turn Your Head (REO) 9034


Album
1969 Life Is A Song (Evolution) 2012