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'''Donny Gerrard''' (March 19, 1946 – February 3, 2022) was a Canadian singer. He was a member of the band [[Skylark (Canadian band)|Skylark]] in the early 1970s, and in later years performed and recorded as a baritone backup singer for such artists as [[Mavis Staples]].
'''Donny Gerrard''' (March 19, 1946 – February 3, 2022) was a Canadian singer. He was a member of the band [[Skylark (Canadian band)|Skylark]] in the early 1970s, and in later years performed and recorded as a baritone backup singer for such artists as [[Mavis Staples]].


==Biography==
==Early life==
Gerrard was born in [[Vancouver]], Canada, on March 19, 1946.<ref name="CP obit 1">{{cite news|title=Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark's 'Wildflower,' dies at 75|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/donny-gerrard-lead-singer-of-skylark-s-wildflower-dies-at-75-1.5773119|first=David|last=Friend|date=February 8, 2022|access-date=February 8, 2022|agency=The Canadian Press|publisher=CTV News}}</ref><ref name=Gajewski>{{cite news|title=Donny Gerrard, “Wildflower” Singer, Dies at 75|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/donny-gerrard-dead-wildflower-singer-1235087772/|first=Ryan|last=Gajewski|date=February 5, 2022|access-date=February 8, 2022|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> He began singing as a child and his talents became noticed when he was in high school. He and Al Foreman formed a group called "Donny Gerrard and the Checkmates" after the latter heard him sing at church community event in 1961. The band performed for three years before breaking up. He subsequently had a sojourn in [[Hawaii]] with another band, before coming back to Canada and reuniting with Foreman in [[Night Train Revue]] as its bassist for the next two years.<ref name="CP obit 1"/> Gerrard later relocated to the United States and started out performing in flash [[Las Vegas|Vegas]] lounge acts. He was also part of a group that disbanded after [[Floyd Sneed]] became a member of [[Three Dog Night]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Freedland|first1=Nat|date=September 15, 1973|title=Skylark Flying on 'Flower' Power|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=CQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=85|issue=37|page=17|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
⚫
Gerrard sang with the band Skylark on their self-titled album in 1972,<ref name="Inc.1972">{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Album Reviews|magazine=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_EigEAAAAMBAJ|date=July 29, 1972|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_EigEAAAAMBAJ/page/n49 50]–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and was lead singer on their hit single, "[[Wildflower (Skylark song)|Wildflower]]".<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/doug-edwards-west-coast-musician-composed-wildflower-for-his-band-skylark/article33083451/ "West Coast musician Doug Edwards composed Wildflower for Skylark"]. TOM HAWTHORN, ''The Globe and Mail'', November 28, 2016</ref>


==Career==
⚫
He released a single, ''Greedy for Your Love'' in 1976<ref name="Inc.1976">{{cite magazine|title=Attic Records will distribute Greedy artists|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT88|date=November 27, 1976|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=88–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and another, ''Stay a While With Me'' in 1977.<ref name="Inc.1977">{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Top 50 - Easy Listening|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jkUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50|date=February 19, 1977|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=50–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> He later released a self-titled album.<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/donny-gerrard-mw0000342384 "Donny Gerrard"]. ''AllMusic'' Review by Andrew Hamilton</ref>
⚫
Gerrard successfully auditioned as [[lead vocalist]] for [[Skylark (Canadian band)|Skylark]] in the early 1970s, with his performance leaving an impression on [[David Foster]].<ref name="CP obit 1"/> He sang with the band on its self-titled album in 1972,<ref name="Inc.1972">{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Album Reviews|magazine=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_EigEAAAAMBAJ|date=July 29, 1972|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_EigEAAAAMBAJ/page/n49 50]–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and was lead singer on their hit single, "[[Wildflower (Skylark song)|Wildflower]]".<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/doug-edwards-west-coast-musician-composed-wildflower-for-his-band-skylark/article33083451/ "West Coast musician Doug Edwards composed Wildflower for Skylark"]. TOM HAWTHORN, ''The Globe and Mail'', November 28, 2016</ref> It ultimately lasted 21 weeks on the [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]].<ref name="CP obit 1"/>

⚫
Gerrard released a single, ''Greedy for Your Love'' in 1976<ref name="Inc.1976">{{cite magazine|title=Attic Records will distribute Greedy artists|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT88|date=November 27, 1976|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=88–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and another, ''Stay a While With Me'' in 1977.<ref name="Inc.1977">{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Top 50 - Easy Listening|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jkUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50|date=February 19, 1977|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=50–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> He later released a self-titled album.<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/donny-gerrard-mw0000342384 "Donny Gerrard"]. ''AllMusic'' Review by Andrew Hamilton</ref>


Gerrard was a backup singer for musicians such as [[Elton John]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], and [[Cher]].<ref>Huey, Steve. [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/donny-gerrard-mn0000799821/biography Donny Gerrard artist biography]. Allmusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.</ref> He sang backup for Mavis Staples on her album ''One True Vine'',<ref>[http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18220-mavis-staples-one-true-vine/ "Mavis Staples One True Vine"]. ''Pitchfork'', Stephen M. Deusner June 26, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-mavis-staples-one-true-vine-review-20130624-column.html "Album review: Mavis Staples, 'One True Vine'"]. ''Chicago Tribune'', June 24, 2013.</ref> and at live performances, including at the Lincoln Center in 2014.<ref>[http://www.popmatters.com/review/187826-mavis-staples/ "Still on the Freedom Highway"]. ''Pop Matters'', George de Stefano November 10, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagobluesguide.com/reviews/live-reviews/mavis-jc-brooks/mavis-jc-brooks-tivoli-page.html "Mavis Staples with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound"]. ''Chicago Blues Guide'', February 29, 2012</ref> He continued to perform with Staples, and can be heard on her 2016 album ''Livin' on a High Note''.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/cd-reviews-mavis-staples-the-timbers-breakbot/news-story/402657506248609dd1b2eb7518865b0b "Music reviews: Mavis Staples, The Timbers, Breakbot"]. ''Western Australian'', February 13, 2016</ref>
Gerrard was a backup singer for musicians such as [[Elton John]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], and [[Cher]].<ref>Huey, Steve. [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/donny-gerrard-mn0000799821/biography Donny Gerrard artist biography]. Allmusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.</ref> He sang backup for Mavis Staples on her album ''One True Vine'',<ref>[http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18220-mavis-staples-one-true-vine/ "Mavis Staples One True Vine"]. ''Pitchfork'', Stephen M. Deusner June 26, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-mavis-staples-one-true-vine-review-20130624-column.html "Album review: Mavis Staples, 'One True Vine'"]. ''Chicago Tribune'', June 24, 2013.</ref> and at live performances, including at the Lincoln Center in 2014.<ref>[http://www.popmatters.com/review/187826-mavis-staples/ "Still on the Freedom Highway"]. ''Pop Matters'', George de Stefano November 10, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagobluesguide.com/reviews/live-reviews/mavis-jc-brooks/mavis-jc-brooks-tivoli-page.html "Mavis Staples with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound"]. ''Chicago Blues Guide'', February 29, 2012</ref> He continued to perform with Staples, and can be heard on her 2016 album ''Livin' on a High Note''.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/cd-reviews-mavis-staples-the-timbers-breakbot/news-story/402657506248609dd1b2eb7518865b0b "Music reviews: Mavis Staples, The Timbers, Breakbot"]. ''Western Australian'', February 13, 2016</ref>


==Personal life==
⚫
Gerrard died from [[cancer]] on February 3, 2022, in hospice care at his home in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], United States. He was 75.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ has died |url=https://news.yahoo.com/donny-gerrard-lead-singer-skylark-194800142.html |access-date=4 February 2022 |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=4 February 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.musictimes.com/articles/83855/20220204/donny-gerrard-cause-of-death-finally-revealed-soul-band-lead-singer-of-skylark-dead-at-75.htm Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ has died]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-donny-gerard-wildflower-dies|author=Rizik, Chris|title=R.I.P. R&B classic "Wildflower" singer Donny Gerrard|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022|website=SoulTracks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/donny-gerrard-skylark-wildflower-dies-75/|title = Donny Gerrard, Vocalist On Skylark’s 1972 Hit ‘Wildflower’, Dies At 75|last = Peacock|first = Tim|date = February 7, 2022|accessdate = February 8, 2022 |work = uDiscoverMusic |archive-url = https://archive.today/XZwKe |archive-date = February 7, 2022 |url-status = live}}</ref>
Gerrard was married to Myra until his death. Together, they had one child (Cooper). He also had a another child (Traie Payne) from a previous relationship before he was married.<ref name="CP obit 1"/>

⚫
Gerrard died on February 3, 2022, while receiving hospice care at his home in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]].<ref name="CP obit 2">{{cite news|title=Donny Gerrard, singer of Skylark's Wildflower, dead at 75|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/donny-gerrard-obituary-1.6343570|date=February 8, 2022|access-date=February 8, 2022|publisher=CBC News|agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref> He was 75, and suffered from [[cancer]] prior to his death.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ has died |url=https://news.yahoo.com/donny-gerrard-lead-singer-skylark-194800142.html |access-date=4 February 2022 |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=4 February 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.musictimes.com/articles/83855/20220204/donny-gerrard-cause-of-death-finally-revealed-soul-band-lead-singer-of-skylark-dead-at-75.htm Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ has died]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-donny-gerard-wildflower-dies|author=Rizik, Chris|title=R.I.P. R&B classic "Wildflower" singer Donny Gerrard|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022|website=SoulTracks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/donny-gerrard-skylark-wildflower-dies-75/|title = Donny Gerrard, Vocalist On Skylark’s 1972 Hit ‘Wildflower’, Dies At 75|last = Peacock|first = Tim|date = February 7, 2022|accessdate = February 8, 2022 |work = uDiscoverMusic |archive-url = https://archive.today/XZwKe |archive-date = February 7, 2022 |url-status = live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:42, 9 February 2022

Donny Gerrard (March 19, 1946 – February 3, 2022) was a Canadian singer. He was a member of the band Skylark in the early 1970s, and in later years performed and recorded as a baritone backup singer for such artists as Mavis Staples.

Early life

Gerrard was born in Vancouver, Canada, on March 19, 1946.[1][2] He began singing as a child and his talents became noticed when he was in high school. He and Al Foreman formed a group called "Donny Gerrard and the Checkmates" after the latter heard him sing at church community event in 1961. The band performed for three years before breaking up. He subsequently had a sojourn in Hawaii with another band, before coming back to Canada and reuniting with Foreman in Night Train Revue as its bassist for the next two years.[1] Gerrard later relocated to the United States and started out performing in flash Vegas lounge acts. He was also part of a group that disbanded after Floyd Sneed became a member of Three Dog Night.[3]

Career

Gerrard successfully auditioned as lead vocalist for Skylark in the early 1970s, with his performance leaving an impression on David Foster.[1] He sang with the band on its self-titled album in 1972,[4] and was lead singer on their hit single, "Wildflower".[5] It ultimately lasted 21 weeks on the Billboard charts.[1]

Gerrard released a single, Greedy for Your Love in 1976[6] and another, Stay a While With Me in 1977.[7] He later released a self-titled album.[8]

Gerrard was a backup singer for musicians such as Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Cher.[9] He sang backup for Mavis Staples on her album One True Vine,[10][11] and at live performances, including at the Lincoln Center in 2014.[12][13] He continued to perform with Staples, and can be heard on her 2016 album Livin' on a High Note.[14]

Personal life

Gerrard was married to Myra until his death. Together, they had one child (Cooper). He also had a another child (Traie Payne) from a previous relationship before he was married.[1]

Gerrard died on February 3, 2022, while receiving hospice care at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[15] He was 75, and suffered from cancer prior to his death.[16][17][18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Friend, David (February 8, 2022). "Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark's 'Wildflower,' dies at 75". CTV News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (February 5, 2022). "Donny Gerrard, "Wildflower" Singer, Dies at 75". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Freedland, Nat (September 15, 1973). "Skylark Flying on 'Flower' Power". Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 37. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 17. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. ^ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 29, 1972. pp. 50–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ "West Coast musician Doug Edwards composed Wildflower for Skylark". TOM HAWTHORN, The Globe and Mail, November 28, 2016
  6. ^ "Attic Records will distribute Greedy artists". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 27, 1976. pp. 88–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ^ "Billboard Top 50 - Easy Listening". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 19, 1977. pp. 50–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. ^ "Donny Gerrard". AllMusic Review by Andrew Hamilton
  9. ^ Huey, Steve. Donny Gerrard artist biography. Allmusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "Mavis Staples One True Vine". Pitchfork, Stephen M. Deusner June 26, 2013
  11. ^ "Album review: Mavis Staples, 'One True Vine'". Chicago Tribune, June 24, 2013.
  12. ^ "Still on the Freedom Highway". Pop Matters, George de Stefano November 10, 2014
  13. ^ "Mavis Staples with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound". Chicago Blues Guide, February 29, 2012
  14. ^ "Music reviews: Mavis Staples, The Timbers, Breakbot". Western Australian, February 13, 2016
  15. ^ "Donny Gerrard, singer of Skylark's Wildflower, dead at 75". CBC News. The Canadian Press. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  16. ^ "Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark's 'Wildflower' has died". Yahoo! News. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  17. ^ Donny Gerrard, lead singer of Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ has died
  18. ^ Rizik, Chris (February 4, 2022). "R.I.P. R&B classic "Wildflower" singer Donny Gerrard". SoulTracks. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Peacock, Tim (February 7, 2022). "Donny Gerrard, Vocalist On Skylark's 1972 Hit 'Wildflower', Dies At 75". uDiscoverMusic. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.

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