FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND
The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as The Staccatos from 1963–68) is a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. They had numerous hits in their native Canada, including the top 10 entries “Half Past Midnight” (1967) (as The Staccatos), “Absolutely Right” (1971) and “I’m a Stranger Here” (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single “Signs”. (More from Wikipedia)
Two of the earliest Christian contemporary hit songs came out in the same year (1971) as “Lions Christians” by Bang: “Signs” by the Five Man Electrical Band and “Put Your Hand in the Hand” by Ocean. Interestingly, both are Canadian bands.
(March 2010)
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Rock songs with religious themes, like “Mother of Mystery” by the Invisible Eyes, have always been fascinating to me. By now, Christian contemporary music has become an industry, but it wasn’t always like that. One long-time favorite is “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band. The band grew out of a Canadian band called the Staccatos, and I recently picked up a two-CD retrospective of their music, First Sparks: The Anthology. I was a bit perturbed originally that this set includes none of the Five Man Electrical Band material, but it is amazingly good music nonetheless.
(December 2012)
