49th Parallel

49th Parallel formed in April 1967 in Calgary when vocalist Dennis Abbott and guitarist Dan Lowe renamed their earlier group, the Shades of Blond. Abbott and Lowe first played together as the Real McCoys, a Calgary beat group that evolved into the Shades of Blond. The expanded lineup included bassist Mick Woodhouse, drummer Terry Bare, organist Dave Petch, and guitarist Bob Carlson.

The Shades of Blond played Calgary clubs and teen dances, including an October 1966 Calgary Teen Council event. The group recorded “All Your Love” for a four-artist EP on International Master Discovery Records, alongside tracks by the Stampeders and two other Calgary groups. They also recorded with producer Gary S. Paxton at his garage studio in Hollywood. By early 1967, the Edmonton-based Rayal Talent Agency, operated by Ray Schwartz and Al Johnson, represented the Shades for western Canadian engagements.

The renamed group secured a recording agreement with Gaiety Productions, operated by producer Don Grashey from offices in Ontario and California. RCA Victor issued their May 1967 single “Laborer” (b/w “You Do Things”), which reached No. 1 on Calgary station CKXL in June. The band toured the Prairie provinces, with repeated appearances at Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. RCA followed in early 1968 with “She Says” (b/w “Citizen Freak”), which reached the Calgary charts.

When RCA ended the arrangement, 49th Parallel moved to the Los Angeles-based Venture label, with Canadian distribution through Quality Records. Venture issued “Blue Bonnie Blue” (b/w “Missouri”), with the A-side credited to Delaney Bramlett and Mac Davis. The group continued touring across Canada and the United States amid personnel changes. Woodhouse and Petch stepped aside for bassist Dave Downey and organist Jack Velker.

In January 1969, Venture issued “Twilight Woman” (b/w “Close the Barn Door”), which reached No. 1 on the RPM Canadian-content chart and No. 16 on the Toronto CHUM chart. The group relocated to Hollywood in mid-1969 and followed with “Now That I’m a Man,” which also charted in Canada. With additional personnel changes, Venture and Maverick assembled a self-titled album from earlier singles and studio recordings for release through Quality Records in September.