The Influence

The Influence is a band best known for their mini rock-opera, "Mad Birds of Prey" and for containing Walter Rossi.

British roots

Arguably one of the most interesting groups to emerge from the Canadian ‘60s rock scene, Influence was the brainchild of British émigré, lead guitarist Louis Campbell McKelvey (born on October 31, 1943 in Killorgin, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland). McKelvey, who had spent the early ‘60s playing in west London band, Jeff Curtis & The Flames and recorded with The Upsetters and The A-Cads during a brief visit to South Africa between September 1965 and April 1966, formed the original Influence line up in late May 1967.

Having arrived in Montreal around December 1966, he initially found work with the French-speaking group, Les Sinners, playing a one-off date with them at Paul Sauve Arena on April 9, opening for The Young Rascals, before briefly hooking up with Our Generation for a lone single.

Through a chance meeting with The Haunted's guitarist Jurgen Peter, McKelvey met former Haunted drummer Dave Wynne (born May 17, 1947 in Stockport, England) and recruited him for the new project he was planning.

Around the same time, he also befriended bass player Jack Geisinger (born Jakob August Geisinger, March 1945 in Czechoslovakia) and asked him to join. Geisinger had recently been playing with The Buddy Miles Quartet but was currently unemployed after Wilson Pickett recruited the entire group for a US tour.

The last member to join was English singer Andrew Keiller (born August 16, 1941 in Bodmin, Cornwall, England), who had previously worked with McKelvey in the South African group, The Upsetters in late 1965 and before that, recorded a solo album in Johannesburg, which was belatedly released in 1966. Keiller, who had moved to Montreal in April 1966, had seen McKelvey playing with Our Generation on a local TV station and contacted him.

Opening for jazz musicians

Influence initially found work at the Barrel, a small Montreal club, opening for jazz musicians like Sonny Murray and Archie Shepp. In June 1967, however, the band was expanded when Geisinger's former colleagues from The Buddy Miles Quartet, singer/songwriter and pianist Bob Parkins (aka Bobo Island) and second lead guitarist Walter Rossi (born Rossignuoli Rossi on May 29, 1947 in Naples, Italy) joined. The three musicians had previously played together in the early ‘60s with Bob & The Messengers and The Soul Mates. The expanded line up's music became much more adventurous and diverse and reflected the influence of the jazz musicians they had opened for as well as Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention.

Influence records for ABC Records

In late August, the group relocated to Toronto and debuted at Boris’ Red Gas Room in the city's Yorkville Village on September 2, 1967. The group performed regularly at the venue over the next two months before travelling to New York during November to record an album for ABC Records at Bell Studios with producer Dennis Minogue (aka Terry Cashman).

After returning to Toronto to perform a string of dates at Boris’ Red Gas Room throughout the first half of December, Influence went back to New York to launch the album at Steve Paul's The Scene, opening for Blood, Sweat & Tears over the Christmas and New Year period. During the festivities, Buddy Miles (now with The Electric Flag) joined the band on stage. However, the album's failure, together with internal conflict, resulted in Dave Wynne's departure in January 1968.

Tours the US and implodes

Back in Montreal, Influence replaced Wynne with former Soul Mates’ drummer Frank LoRusso (aka Yum Yum). The new line up returned to Toronto in mid-February to perform at Boris’ and continued to play local gigs, including an extended date at the city’s Penny Farthing club from March 4-9, before landing a support slot at The Doors’ show at the CNE Hall on April 20.

Influence then embarked on a brief tour of the US Midwest, supporting Procol Harum at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit from May 17-19 and Steppenwolf at the Electric Theatre in Chicago from May 24-26. However, the group was slowly unravelling and in June 1968, Andy Keiller left the band. He later returned to the UK before emigrating to Australia in 1971 and currently lives in Melbourne.

Back in Toronto, Influence resumed live work, appearing at the El Patio from August 31- September 1 but soon afterwards, founding member Louis McKelvey left the band and returned to England for six months. The remaining musicians carried on as Influence but broke up in early 1969 when Walter Rossi joined The Buddy Miles Express.

Aftermath

In March 1969, Louis McKelvey returned to Canada with his former Jeff Curtis & The Flames compatriot Malcolm Tomlinson and together they formed Milkwood who recorded an unreleased LP for Polydor Records with legendary producer Jerry Ragovoy. Geisinger was also involved with the sessions. When Milkwood broke up in late 1969, he became a brief member of McKelvey's next project, Damage. Latter day Influence drummer, Yum Yum also played with this group. McKelvey abandoned a music career in the early ‘70s and currently works in Toronto.

In February 1970 Geisinger joined Luke & The Apostles and later that year brought in Rossi. The group evolved into The Apostles before disbanding in 1971. Both musicians then collaborated on an LP as Charlee. Rossi later established a successful solo career while Geisinger recorded with the group, Bombers.

Bobo Island, who had appeared on Buddy Miles’ single “Them Changes” with Rossi, died in a highway accident in late 1969.

Trivia

Dave Wynne briefly dated the late Australian rock journalist Lillian Roxon during late 1967.

Recordings

* LP Influence (Sparton 630) 1968 (Canada)
* LP Influence (ABC 630) 1968 (US)

ources

* Nick Warburton interviews with Louis McKelvey, Andy Keiller, Walter Rossi and Dave Wynne, 2002-2004
* The "Toronto Telegram"'s After Four section on Thursdays lists live dates.
* The New York publication, "The Village Voice", lists live dates.

External links

* [http://www.rock.co.za/files/merchants_index.htm Beat Merchants article]
* [http://www.walterrossi.net Walter Rossi website]