Either a late version of the Inferno 5 Plus 1 or an early one of East African Fair from left: Dave Powers (front), Rick Panas, John Bell, Domenic Fragomeni and Randy Larocque.
East African Fair included some of the Inferno 5 Plus 1. Members were Randy Larocque (guitar and vocals), Dave Powers (keyboards and vocals), Dominic Fragomini (bass) and Rick Panas (drums and vocals). It seems John Bell was also a member for a time, as I think he appears in the photo above.
Their manager John Loweth sent me the 45 and scans of the neat poster and card of the band. He considers East African Fair to be a continuation of the Inferno 5 Plus 1, though their sound is quite different:
We changed the name to East African Fair and did pretty well with our second record, “Lovin’ Every Little Thing You Do Girl” which was a totally different style (more Hermans Hermits) than the Stones style of the first [Inferno 5 Plus 1] release.
Then we moved to the big city of Toronto. We did lots of auditions and things and played in trendy Yorkville where you just had to be if you wanted to be anywhere in Canada at that time of 1967.
The national CTV show ‘After Four’ was interested in replacing the current group Robbie Lane and Deciples and said they woud use us as the featured band next season, they suggested a name change and the remainder of the group now lead by Randy LaRocque became ‘York Lane’.
RPM Weekly, February 17, 1968A major booking agent booked the group in southern Ontario and upper New York state, but unfortunately several band members became homesick and discouraged due to lack of money, and went home, leaving just Randy and myself. I think we were just inches away from stardom.
As John states, “Lovin’ Every Little Thing You Do” is a pop single like the Herman’s Hermits, though the eerie organ gives it a darker, carnival-like quality. “I Won’t Stare” is a truly original side, slow, with a nice blend of organ and guitars and obsessive lyrics. Randy LaRocque wrote both songs on this record.
After the single was released in 1968, Bill Battersby replaced Dominic Fragomini and an unknown drummer replaced Rick Panas, and the band’s name changed to York Lane. Some recordings by this lineup done at Sound Canada in late 1968 are now lost.
Update: I’m sorry to report that John Loweth passed away on April 4, 2009. John produced the Inferno 5 + 1 and continued managing the group when they changed to East African Fair. He generously shared his recollections and memorabilia to help document the story of this band.
In February 2011 I added the photo at top, the news clips from the Sudbury Star and RPM Weekly and better scans of the promotional card, all courtesy of Ivan Amirault. Thank you to Lauraine Friskey for providing IDs for the top photo.
East African Fair reaches #21 on CHNO’s Top 45 The Sudbury Star, Feb. 16, 1968
7 thoughts on “East African Fair”
‘Really love the East African Fair! The organ is so sweet and delicate! Thanks.
Yeah, I gotta agree… what a find! “I Won’t Stare” is a moody classic, and “Lovin’ Every Little Thing You Do” is a great garage-pop tune. The production on both songs is well above average, and then there’s that amazing psychedelic organ sound. After my third or fourth listen, I realized that the organ reminds me of L.A. group Opus 1’s “Back Seat ’38 Dodge”, albeit in a very different context. All told, it was quite rare in those days to put so much reverb on an organ, which is surprising when you consider the very trippy carnivalesque feeling it creates. It’s even kinda creepy. Rick Wright’s organ sits similarly in the mix of some of the early post-Syd Barrett Pink Floyd stuff.
Very nice! I think the comparison is appropriate, and I’m happy to know that people are aware of Opus 1, and that folk’s like East African Fair are keeping the 60’s sound alive in a new context! Cool sounds!
John “Chris” Christensen, drummer for Mustang Records recording artists, Opus 1
I used to date the bass player, Dominic Fragomeni, whom I understand has now passed. Inferno 5, then Inferno 5 plus one used to play in Levack in the 60’s and I saw them many, many times, and then again many times after they became East African Fair. The drummer then was I believe Rick Panis. Big guy, fantastic drummer. Might have the name wrong! Can’t remember anyone else. Cool seeing this site – brings back a flood of memories.
The East African Fair was a band I saw live maybe 25 times..they covered everything from the Cowsills ( the rain, the park and other things) to their own original tracks. includin Lovin every little thing. Dave Powers and Rick Panas did most of the lead vocals and their harmonies were awesome. Sudbury had a dozen awesome bands the…Marketville Riot with Rob Paquette, Crimson Manual, Village Steps, Original Cast with Pete Wolfe and who can forget the Laurentian Combo with the Cat, but without much argument the East African Fair stood head and |Shoulders above all others, which is a testimony to the talent that Sudbury has produced through the years
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‘Really love the East African Fair!
The organ is so sweet and delicate!
Thanks.
Yeah, I gotta agree… what a find! “I Won’t Stare” is a moody classic, and “Lovin’ Every Little Thing You Do” is a great garage-pop tune. The production on both songs is well above average, and then there’s that amazing psychedelic organ sound. After my third or fourth listen, I realized that the organ reminds me of L.A. group Opus 1’s “Back Seat ’38 Dodge”, albeit in a very different context. All told, it was quite rare in those days to put so much reverb on an organ, which is surprising when you consider the very trippy carnivalesque feeling it creates. It’s even kinda creepy. Rick Wright’s organ sits similarly in the mix of some of the early post-Syd Barrett Pink Floyd stuff.
Very nice! I think the comparison is appropriate, and I’m happy to know that people are aware of Opus 1, and that folk’s like East African Fair are keeping the 60’s sound alive in a new context! Cool sounds!
John “Chris” Christensen, drummer for Mustang Records recording artists, Opus 1
I used to date the bass player, Dominic Fragomeni, whom I understand has now passed. Inferno 5, then Inferno 5 plus one used to play in Levack in the 60’s and I saw them many, many times, and then again many times after they became East African Fair. The drummer then was I believe Rick Panis. Big guy, fantastic drummer. Might have the name wrong! Can’t remember anyone else. Cool seeing this site – brings back a flood of memories.
Panas. 🙂
He’s my Dad.
The East African Fair was a band I saw live maybe 25 times..they covered everything from the Cowsills ( the rain, the park and other things) to their own original tracks. includin Lovin every little thing. Dave Powers and Rick Panas did most of the lead vocals and their harmonies were awesome. Sudbury had a dozen awesome bands the…Marketville Riot with Rob Paquette, Crimson Manual, Village Steps, Original Cast with Pete Wolfe and who can forget the Laurentian Combo with the Cat, but without much argument the East African Fair stood head and |Shoulders above all others, which is a testimony to the talent that Sudbury has produced through the years
How can I hear this record?