Molly Oliver was a Canadian rock group that was formed and fronted by Bruce Wheaton. They had a chart hit with "You Didn't Listen to Me" in 1979.
Background After the group Everyday People broke up, Bruce Wheaton and bassist Carson Richards who was a fellow member went on to create the group Molly Oliver.Secret East, Oct 13, 2016 - Secret Selector: “I Like What I Like” by Everyday People (1971) by Kris G. Hamlyn Tim Garagan and Bob Quinn had been members of the rock group Pepper Tree.Nova Scotia Classic Rock - Pepper Tree
The group was described by Guy Lepage of the Ottawa Citizen as having the guitar skills of Jimmy Page, the keyboard expertise of Keith Emerson and the vocal arrangements of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.Ottawa Citizen, Friday, March 2, 1979 - Page 26 Maritimes group scores By Guy Lepage
The name for the group is apparently from two dogs that lived near where the band rehearsed.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - MOLLY OLIVER
Career 1970s It was reported in the 17 February 1979 issue of RPM Weekly that Molly Oliver had been signed to an exclusive world-wide contract with London Records of Canada. Gary Chalmers of the label's A&R Office said that they were in preparation to engage in the largest launching campaign that they had undertaken on a Canadian group. Present at the signing of the group were, Alice Koury the vice-president of the label and Ron Scribner of Music Shoppe, the group's agency.RPM Weekly, Volume 30 No. 21 February 17, 1979 - Page 3 RECORDS, PROMOTION, Molly Oliver pact with London
As reported by Guy Lepage in the 3 March issue of the Ottawa Citizen, the group was appearing at the Black Swan.Ottawa Citizen, Friday, March 2, 1979 - Page 26 Maritimes group scores By Guy Lepage They had been playing since the beginning of the month.The Charlatan, March 1, 1979 - Page 11 black swan 275 Rideau St Now Appearing: Molly Oliver
A review of the band's performance at the Moustache Club was published in the 15 March issue of The McGill Daily. Even though the reviewers Mark Butler and S. Peter Loshin found them to be polished and their individual musicianship quite capable, the echo effects the band employed sounded like they were in a wind-tunnel. They also found their covering of other artists material lackluster. However, the response by the patrons in the club which was at near capacity was enthusiastic.The McGill Daily, March 15, 1979 - Page 6 AROUND TOWN The Moustache Club Cleans Up By Mark Butlerar and S. Peter Loshin
It was reported in the 31 March issue of RPM Weekly, earlier that month, a press party for the band was held in downtown Toronto. Their album had been released about a month prior and had been getting a considerable amount of airplay.RPM Weekly, Volume 31, No. 1 March 31, 1979 - Page 22 RECORDS, PROMOTION, London launches Molly Oliver In Toronto
Album The group's self-titled album had made its debut at No. 100 in the RPM 100 Albums chart for the week of 10 March.RPM Weekly, Volume 30 No. 24 March 10, 1979 - Page 10 RPM 100 Top Albums (51-100), 100 (1) MAPL, MOLLY OLIVER Molly Oliver (London) DL-3023 K DLR 3023 K DL5-3023 K For the week of 28 April, the record was at No. 77 in its eighth charting week.RPM Weekly, Volume 31 No. 4 April 21, 1979 - Page 10 RPM 100 Top Albums (51-100), TW 78, LW 79, Wks (7) MAPL, MOLLY OLIVER Molly Oliver (London) DL-3023 K DLR 3023 K DL5-3023 KRPM Weekly, Volume 31 No. 6 May 5, 1979 - Page 10, TW 77, LW 77, Wks (9) MAPL, MOLLY OLIVER Molly Oliver (London) DL-3023 K DLR 3023 K DL5-3023 K At week fourteen the album was still in the chart at No. 96.RPM Weekly, Volume 31 No. 11 June 9, 1979 - Page 10 RPM 100 Top Albums (51—100), TW 96, LW 95, Wks (14) MAPL, MOLLY OLIVER Molly Oliver (London) DL-3023 K DLR 3023 K DL5-3023 K
"You Didn't Listen to Me" Bruce Wheaton wrote the song "You Didn't Listen to Me", which the band recorded. Backed with "Open Up", it was released on London LX 2681.Museum of Canadian Music - You Didn't Listen to Me b/w Open Up By Molly Oliver It debuted at No. 97 in the RPM 100 Singles chart for the week of 17 March.RPM Weekly, Volume 30 No. 26 March 24, 1979 - Page 12 TW 84, LW 97, Wks (2) MAPL, YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME Molly Oliver London LX 2681 K (LP) Molly Oliver DL-3032 K For the week of 5 May, and in its seventh charting week, the single was at No. 72. It was still at No. 72 the following week.RPM Weekly, Volume 31 No. 6 May 5, 1979 - Page 8 RPM Top Singles (51–100), TW 72, LW 72, Wks (8) MAPL, YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME Molly Oliver London LX 2681 K (LP) Molly Oliver DL-3032 K
Further activities It was reported in the 12 May 1979 issue of RPM Weekly that former Music Shoppe International partner, Bruce Hudson had formed his own agency, The Hudson Agency, which was located at 5467 Spring Garden Road, Halifax. Artists to be represented by the agency were, Maritime acts; Titan, Taquila and Molly Oliver. The agency was also in the process of organizing cross-country tours for Molly Oliver and Titan.RPM Weekly, Volume 31 No. 7 May 12, 1979 - Page 3 RECORDS, PROMOTION, MSI's Hudson forms own agency
1980s "Somebody New in My Eyes" The group released the single, "Somebody New in My Eyes" bw "Hey There" on London LX 2681.Museum of Canadian Music - Somebody New in My Eyes b/w Hey There By Molly Oliver As shown in the 23 February 1980 issue of RPM Weekly, the song was playlisted at CFTJ in Cambridge.RPM Weekly, Volume 32 No. 22 February 23, 1980 - Page 34 PROGRAMMERS, LAIRD ELCOMBE CFTJ CAMBRIDGE PLAYLISTED Somebody New-Molly Oliver The following week, it was playlisted at stations, CJCJ in Woodstock, and CKIQ in Kelowna.RPM Weekly, Volume 32 No. 23 March 2, 1980 - Page 35 TED HAYWARD CJCJ WOODSTOCK CKIQ PLAYLISTED, Somebody New In My Eyes-Molly Oliver; TED POUND CKIQ KELOWNA PLAYLISTED As shown in the 8 March issue of RPM Weekly, "Somebody New in My Eyes" was one of the playlisted Cancon singles.RPM Weekly, Volume 32 No. 24 March 8, 1980 - Page 27 TRENDSETTERS, CFCN RADIO 1060 CALGARY, CAROL DONILY CFCN CALGARY, CANCON SINGLES PLAYLISTED Molly Oliver -Somebody New In My Eyes It was also at No. 48 on the play chart at CKBW in Bridgewater.RPM Weekly, Volume 32 No. 24 March 8, 1980 - Page 28 PROGRAMMERS continued from page 25, DAVE CARMEN CKBW BRIDGEWATER CHARTED, (48) Somebody New Molly Oliver It was still on the CFCN Cancon singles playlist as shown in the 15 March issue of RPM Weekly.RPM Weekly, Volume 32 No. 25 - Page 33 TRENDSETTERS, ADULT ORIENTED, CFCN RADIO 1060 CALGARY, CAROL CONILY CFCN CALGARY CANCON SINGLES PLAYLISTED
Further activities An Eastern Alliance Records compilation featuring Molly Oliver, Oakley, The Minglewood Band, Dutch Mason, Titan, Sam Moon, the Battery, Spice, and Ram was released around September 1982.Billboard, September 4, 1982 - Page 61, Canada, LP Features Eastern Groups
Following lineup changes, the group released an EP in 1982.
The group broke up in 1987.Nova Scotia Classic Rock - Molly Oliver
Members Original line up Bruce Wheaton - lead vocals, guitar Carson Richards - bass, vocals Tim Garagan - drums, vocals Bob Quinn - keyboards, vocals Nova Scotia Classic Rock - Molly Oliver
Member list Bruce Wheaton - lead vocals, guitar Bob Quinn - keyboards, vocals Carson Richards - bass, vocals Bob Biggs- (drums) Tim Garagan - drums, vocals Ken "Dutch" Schultz - drums (replaced Garagan) Tony Quinn - guitar, vocals (added) Mike Leggat - keyboards, vocals (replaced B. Quinn) Larry Maillet - guitar, harmonica, vocals (replaced T. Quinn) Ian MacMillan - drums (replaced Schultz) Peter Jackson - keyboards, vocals (replaced Leggat) Don Rodgers - keyboards, vocals (replaced Jackson 1984–86) Terry Hopkins - drums (replaced MacMillan) Mike Gaudet - bass (replaced Richards) Ian MacDougall - bass (replaced Gaudet) Neil Robertson - drums (replaced Hopkins)
Reunion Line-up 1999-2000 Bruce Wheaton - guitar, lead vocals Larry Maillet - guitar, harmonica, vocals Mike Gaudet - bass Andre Leblanc - keyboards Doug MacKay - drums Donnie Morris Robin Chapman The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - MOLLY OLIVER
Later years The band reformed in 1999. The members were, Wheaton, Larry Maillet, Mike Gaudet, Andre Leblanc, and Doug MacKay who had been with the band Oakley.Nova Scotia Classic Rock - Molly Oliver
References
External links Discogs - Molly Oliver Chebucto, Bruce Wheaton - Molly Oliver History