Skylark (Canadian band)
Skylark was a Canadian pop and rock band active from 1971 to 1973 and based in Vancouver. "Wildflower" is their biggest hit. History Skylark formed in 1971 from one of Ronnie Hawkins's backup groups and signed with Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1972 which spawned three singles. The group, whose alumni include composer/arranger David Foster, disbanded after the lukewarm reception of their second album, Two of its other members, Donny Gerard and Carl Graves achieved mixed success in other projects. Their biggest single, "Wildflower", was a 1972 number #1 hit in Canada on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart; it reached number 10 on the Canadian RPM singles chart and then peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following spring, selling over a million copies. It was written by guitarist Doug Edwards and Dave Richardson, who was a Victoria police officer at the time. The song's popularity was boosted by frequent play on CKLW-AM radio after its initial release. Donny Gerrard was amongst the Canadian musicians who recorded the 1985 charity single for African famine relief entitled "Tears Are Not Enough". He sang his solo line with Bryan Adams. Doug Edwards died on November 11, 2016. Donny Gerrard died from cancer in February 2022, at the age of 75. Former members B.J. Cook, Donny Gerrard, & Flip Arellano - vocals David Foster - keyboards Carl Graves - percussion Robbie King - Hammond organ Eddie Patterson, Doug Edwards, & Gaye Delorme - guitars Steven Pugsley - bass Duris Maxwell - drums Brian Hilton - drums (replaced Maxwell) Kat Hendrikse - drums (replaced Hilton) Norman McPherson - guitar (replaced Edwards) John Verner - guitar (replaced McPherson in 1972) Allan Mix - guitar (replaced Verner in 1973) Discography Charted singles Albums 1972 - Skylark (Shanachie/Capitol) (number 53 in Canada) Track listing Side 1 "Brother Eddie" – (Howie Vickers, Joe Fahrni, Robbie King) - 4:31 "What Would I Do Without You" - (Ernie Shelby, Phillip Mitchell) - 3:29 "A Long Way to Go" - (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 3:46 "Suites for My Lady" - (David Foster, Duris Maxwell) - 2:06 "I'll Have to Go Away" - (Kerry Chater, Renée Armand) - 5:07 Side 2 "The Writing's on the Wall" - (Don Troiano) - 3:01 "Twenty-Six Years" - (David Foster, Donny Gerrard, Linda Patterson) - 4:55 "I'm in Love Again" - (Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew) - 3:18 "Wildflower" - (David Richardson, Doug Edwards) - 4:08 "Shall I Fail" - (Carolyn Borsman, Doug Edwards) - 1:27 Personnel Donny Gerrard - lead and backing vocals B. J. Cook - lead and backing vocals, percussion Kitty Ditto - backing vocals Patrice Holloway - backing vocals Doug Edwards - electric and acoustic guitars David Foster - acoustic and electric pianos, harpsichord, Moog synthesizer, string arrangements (all but 3) Steve Pugsley - bass Duris Maxwell - drums, percussion Bobby Torres - congas Jimmie Haskell - string arrangements (3) Robbie King - organ (8), arrangements (8) 1974 - 2 (Capitol) "You Remind Me of a Friend"