George Olliver

George Olliver is 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.

George Olliver
GenresRock music, soul music
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, organ
Years active1960s to present
LabelsQuality, Slott Records, Much, Corner Store Records
Formerly ofMandala, George Olliver & The Soul Children, 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.[1] He was with Natural Gas, playing at The Laugh In in Victoria Street, Montreal in early 1970 when was noted by a reviewer for Montreal newspaper The Gazzette that his stage act could range from a frantic singing and dancing of a James Brown to a laid back balladeer.[2] He has been referred to as "The Blue Eyed Prince.[3] The biggest influence on his career was Domenic Troiano.[4]

In 1987, he was Nominated for a Juno Award for his album Dream Girl.[5]

Apart from music, Olliver has only had one day job and that was in an office job with Canadian Pacific Railway.[6]

Career

1960s to 1970s

Olliver, and guitarist Domenic Troiano became part of Mandala in the mid-60s.[7] A song he composed, "Lost Love" was the B side of the Mandala single, "Opportunity" which was ready for release in October 1966.[8]

Olliver quit the group in September, 1967 and some time afterwards formed the 10-piece soul outfit, George Olliver & His (Soul) Children.[9] He later formed Natural Gas in 1969, a group that rivalled Lighthouse, Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears.[10] 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.[11] Their album got into the Canadian Top 10, and made the Top 50 in the United States.[12]

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.[13]

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. [14] 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.[15][16]

Later in the 1970s, he experienced a life-changing event which turned him towards Christianity.[17]

1980s to 2000s

In May, 1983, the live album, Live at the Bluenote was released. 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.[18]

As of 2006 he was performing with two of his bands, one was George Olliver & Gangbuster, and the other, his gospel band, Caught Away.[19] In 2008, he released a gospel album, George Olliver's Gospel Soul - Look Up.[20]

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.[21]

October, 2013 marked his 50th year in the music business.[22]

In 2016, he was appearing with his band Gangbuster in Peterborough.[23]

On Friday January 05, 2018, Cashbox Canada announced that he was to receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award.[24]

Personal life

He is now a Christian.[25]

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 [26]
Albums
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes
George Olliver & Gangbuster
with Special Guests Shawne Jackson, Roy Kenner, Jayson King, Wayne St. John		 Live At The Bluenote (Volume 1) Quality SV 2127 1983 [27][28]
George Olliver Dream Girl Slott Records CSPS 3104 1987 [29]

Further reading


References
  1. The Interim, May 29, 2005 - Family support keeps music legend rocking
  2. The Gazzette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat
  3. InsideHalton.com, Friday, May 19, 2006 - OPINION, R&B singer is loyal to his music
  4. 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
  5. Cashbox Canada, Fri Jan 05, 2018 - Canadian Icon George Olliver to Receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award By Sandy Graham
  6. 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
  7. citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Mandala, Biography:
  8. Billboard, October 8, 1966 - Page 32 INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS, Mandala Single Is Ready to Go
  9. citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Mandala, Biography:
  10. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - NATURAL GAS
  11. #RecordsAndCharts - Song ID: (99205) Natural Gas - All Powerful Man
  12. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - NATURAL GAS
  13. Billboard, July 1, 1972 - Page 44 INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS, Marketing Co. Formed
  14. Billboard, June 9, 1973 - Page 51 International News, Olliver Single Marks Comeback
  15. Canukistan Music - George Olliver
  16. Discogs - George Olliver – Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
  17. CanuckistanMusic - George Olliver by Michael Panontin
  18. RPM Weekly, Volume 38 No. 12 May 21, 1983 - Page 15 NEW ALBUMS
  19. InsideHalton.com, Friday, May 19, 2006 - OPINION, R&B singer is loyal to his music
  20. CanuckistanMusic - George Olliver by Michael Panontin
  21. Rainbow District School Board, May 4, 2010 - What’s happening in Rainbow Schools?, May 15: Books for Reading World Literacy Concert features George Olliver
  22. 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
  23. The Peterborough Examiner, Wed., March 2, 2016 - Music legend George Olliver still going gangbusters
  24. Cashbox Canada, Fri Jan 05, 2018 - Canadian Icon George Olliver to Receive the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award By Sandy Graham
  25. George Olliver - A NEW WAY / Joy Ministries
  26. 45Cat - George Olliver - Discography
  27. RPM Weekly, Volume 38 No. 12 May 21, 1983 - Page 15 NEW ALBUMS
  28. Discogs - George Olliver, Discography, Albums
  29. Higher Family - George Olliver - Dream Girl Album
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