BAND X
Manistee, michigan, 1966
Record Label
ORIGINALLY: SMF (independent label)
CURRENTLY: FERVOR RECORDS
Original members:
Jay Fortier: bass, guitar, vocals
Al Swanson: guitar, piano, vocals
Jim Toczynski: piano, organ, alto sax, bass, vocals
Dan Hansen (RIP): guitar, cornet, flute, piano, drums, vocals
Bob Doleys: drums, percussion
"Band X" was the final destination of it's predecessors, "The Magnatones" ('64), and "The Fendermen" ('65). Starting with local high school gigs, it soon progressed to teen dance clubs throughout Michigan.
The addition of a manager, booking agent and some regional airplay of the 1968 single "How Good The Rain" (R.T. Harcourt) introduced the group to new audiences and led to opening act status for some major shows of the day, nightclubs and college functions in a five state area.
Studio sessions in '68 and '69 produced the independently released 45 rpm single and several other original tracks intended for a proposed album release, a project which was never completed.
In 1971, the group's name was changed to "North Country", a reference to their home area in Michigan, and the title of one of the Roger Harcourt originals which was in the current repertoire. The recorded track was released on Roger's album "...And The Horse You Rode In On..." in 1976.
In 2012, the group was #1 in the voting for induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
In 2019, Band X was discovered by Fervor Records. Who have since re-released the original Band X album on Spotify:
