George Olliver was a Canadian music artist. A singer and organist, he was the lead singer for Mandala in the 1960s. He also founded the late 1960s, early 1970s jazz rock group Natural Gas.
Background As a boy he was in the Anglican church choir. His parents also enrolled him in piano lessons which continued into his early teen years. His first band was the Cool Cats, a high school band.The Interim, May 29, 2005 - Family support keeps music legend rocking He was with Natural Gas, playing at The Laugh In on Victoria Street in Montreal in early 1970 when was noted by a reviewer for Montreal newspaper The Gazette that his stage act could range from a frantic singing and dancing of a James Brown to a laid back balladeer.The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat He has been referred to as "The Blue Eyed Prince".InsideHalton.com, Friday, May 19, 2006 - OPINION, R&B singer is loyal to his music The biggest influence on his career was Domenic Troiano.The London Free Press, October 2, 2013 - Entertainment, George Olliver marks 50 years of playing rhythm and blues, soul and rock this year by Joe Belanger
In 1987, he was Nominated for a Juno Award for his album Dream Girl.Cashbox Canada, Fri Jan 05, 2018 - Canadian Icon George Olliver to Receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award By Sandy Graham
Apart from music, Olliver has only had one day job and that was in an office job with Canadian Pacific Railway.The London Free Press, October 2, 2013 - Entertainment, George Olliver marks 50 years of playing rhythm and blues, soul and rock this year by Joe Belanger
Career 1960s to 1970s Olliver, and guitarist Domenic Troiano became part of Mandala in the mid-60s.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Mandala, Biography: A song he composed, "Lost Love" was the B side of the Mandala single, "Opportunity" which was ready for release in October 1966.Billboard, October 8, 1966 - Page 32 INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS, Mandala Single Is Ready to Go
Olliver quit the group in September, 1967 and some time afterwards formed the 10-piece soul outfit, George Olliver & His (Soul) Children.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Mandala, Biography: He later formed Natural Gas in 1969, a group that rivalled Lighthouse, Chicago, and Blood Sweat & Tears.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - NATURAL GAS They had a hit with "All Powerful Man" which peaked at #76 on May 9, 1970. It spent a total of 7 weeks in the Canadian charts.#RecordsAndCharts - Song ID: (99205) Natural Gas - All Powerful Man Their album got into the Canadian Top 10, and made the Top 50 in the United States.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - NATURAL GAS
By early July 1972, his group George Olliver and Friends had been signed to Shining Star Associates, a new marketing company that was located in Hamilton, Ontario.Billboard, July 1, 1972 - Page 44 INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS, Marketing Co. Formed
In 1973, Olliver released a solo single, "I May Never Get to See You Again" on Much Records which he composed himself. It was produced by the label's A&R man, Bill Hill. According to Billboard, the single was marking his recording comeback.Billboard, June 9, 1973 - Page 51 International News, Olliver Single Marks Comeback In 1976, he had another single released. The song "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You" had Dianne Brooks helping out with background vocals.Canukistan Music - George OlliverDiscogs - George Olliver – Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
Later in the 1970s, he experienced a life-changing event which turned him towards Christianity.CanuckistanMusic - George Olliver by Michael Panontin
1980s to 2000s In the 1980s Olliver entered a new chapter as co-owner and music director of Toronto’s Bluenote Club (1982–1992). The venue became the city’s “Home of Rhythm & Blues,” presenting legends like Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Sam & Dave, Solomon Burke, and Martha Reeves alongside Olliver’s own group Gangbuster. In 1983, Live at the Bluenote was released (produced by Domenic Troiano). With Jay Jackson as emcee, the songs included "Fannie Mae" by Jayson King, "In the Midnight Hour" by Roy Kenner, Shawne Jackson on "Heatwave", "Up On the Roof" by Olliver and more. The Bluenote was also where a young Whitney Houston gave her first Canadian club performance in 1985. In 1987, he released his first studio solo album Dream Girl, which earned him a Juno nomination for Best R&B Album in 1987. RPM Weekly, Volume 38 No. 12 May 21, 1983 - Page 15 NEW ALBUMS
As of 2006, he was performing with two of his bands, one was George Olliver & Gangbuster, and the other, his gospel band, Caught Away.InsideHalton.com, Friday, May 19, 2006 - OPINION, R&B singer is loyal to his music In 2008, he released a gospel album, George Olliver's Gospel Soul - Look Up.CanuckistanMusic - George Olliver by Michael Panontin
In May, 2010, he was booked to appear at the Books for Reading World Literacy Concert, a fund raiser held at St. Andrew's Place in Sudbury to help with costs of sending a shipping of a container of school supplies to a developing country.Rainbow District School Board, May 4, 2010 - What’s happening in Rainbow Schools?, May 15: Books for Reading World Literacy Concert features George Olliver
October 2013 marked his 50th year in the music business.The London Free Press, October 2, 2013 - Entertainment, George Olliver marks 50 years of playing rhythm and blues, soul and rock this year by Joe Belanger
In 2016, he was appearing with his band Gangbuster in Peterborough.The Peterborough Examiner, Wed., March 2, 2016 - Music legend George Olliver still going gangbusters
On Friday January 5, 2018, Cashbox Canada announced that he was to receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award.Cashbox Canada, Fri Jan 05, 2018 - Canadian Icon George Olliver to Receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award By Sandy Graham
Personal life Some way wish to know that he was a devout Christian.George Olliver - A NEW WAY / Joy Ministries
Discography + Singles Act Release Catalogue Year Notes George Olliver "I May Never Get To See You Again" / "Shine" Much CH 1024 1973 George Olliver "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You" / "If I Can Just Be Strong Enough" Corner Store CS 7507X 1976 George Olliver "Dream Girl" / "Please Don't Call" Slott C-644 1987 45Cat - George Olliver - Discography
+ Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes George Olliver & Gangbusterwith Special Guests Shawne Jackson, Roy Kenner, Jayson King, Wayne St. John Live At The Bluenote (Volume 1) Quality SV 2127 1983 RPM Weekly, Volume 38 No. 12 May 21, 1983 - Page 15 NEW ALBUMSDiscogs - George Olliver, Discography, Albums George Olliver Dream Girl Slott Records CSPS 3104 1987 Higher Family - George Olliver - Dream Girl Album
Further reading The London Free Press, Oct 02, 2013: - George Olliver marks 50 years of playing rhythm and blues, soul and rock this year. Joe Belanger Cashbox Canada, Fri Jan 05, 2018 Canadian Icon George Olliver to Receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award by Sandy Graham FYI Music News, June 15, 2018: A Conversation With .. George Olliver by Bill King Article: If any Canadian outfit had the talent to make it south of the border during the '60s, it was Toronto outfit Mandala
References
External links Discogs: George Olliver A NEW WAY / Joy Ministries The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia, OLLIVER, George