This is my first instalment in a series of lost and forgotten records from the past. Most of these hits are Canadian hits, and they are the ones that bring back memories for me from my youth.
Below is a recording from a Canadian bubblegum rock group singed on to Columbia in the early seventies called “Next”, entitled “Only a Friend of Mine”. The personnel on this 1975 recording consisted of Mark Laforme on guitar and vocals; Mel Coburn on drums and vocals; the high voice comes from Garnett Zimmerman, who played keyboards; and on Bass and vocals, Roly Greenway. This being August 2010, marks its 35th anniversary, for what it’s worth. Roly Greenway is apparently of no relation to Brian Greenway, who plays with April Wine.
Greenway and Laforme appear on the credits as the writers/composers of this single. Greenway would be better known to the world as the bassist and leader of the Canadian band Crowbar, and earlier as the backup performer for Ronnie Hawkins. Crowbar would re-form intermittently after 1977. Next was never heard from again.
But no worries, I at least have audio in the link below of probably their biggest hit.
The song “Only a Friend of Mine” barely made it into the top-40 in many regions of Canada, but was pretty catchy.
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Looking for lyrics to this song, where can I find them?
Here is a link to Reverb Nation which has a good number of their recordings online, along with a publicity photo. It has been around for at least the past 5 years. No lyrics that I can find, unfortunately.
It entered the RPM Top Singles chart at #98 on February 21, 1976 and spent 8 weeks on the chart, peaking at #72 on April 3 and 10, and then dropped off the chart. The follow-up single, “You and I,” was released a few months later, and I don’t think it charted.
Yes! That checks out with my reading of my copy of the Maple Music charts. My sense is that it got more airplay in Western Canada where I grew up. Also, didn’t this song make it to a K-Tel compilation?
Great stuff, just great! Always wondered about Next
Good day! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about obscure 1970s songs. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Been following Greenway since Crowbar! Hadn’t heard of this group!
Good day! Can you post more 70’s stuff?
I still do when the occasion strikes. It is not as often as in the past, but I have not retired the topic.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
I, as a convicted felon that used to scream “Free Harlem” around my block until my throat was sore, and they gave me Xanax to bring me down. Well, I mean they say I look like a rock star. I believe that praise from the voices in your head is better than no praise. I’m the kind of guy who, when someone gets up to go ot the bathroom, I like to yell “I WIN!”