Everest

Everest was a Canadian melodic-rock band from Toronto that released a 1984 self-titled album on Epic. The band recorded a second album in 1985 that appeared a decade later on the German Long Island label.

Members: Ric McDonald (vocals, bass), Frank Reid (vocals, keyboards), Don Gaze (guitar), Jim MacLellan (drums)

Background

Everest formed in Toronto in the late 1970s with singer-bassist Ric McDonald, keyboardist-singer Frank Reid, guitarist Don Gaze, and drummer Jim MacLellan.

McDonald joined Abraham’s Children on bass in 1974, following the 1973 G.A.S. album Time and a string of Canadian hit singles. He entered the revised lineup alongside keyboardist Dave Dobko, replacing original members Jim Bertucci and Bob McPherson.

Gaze played on the 1982 Maze album Postcard by Toronto singer Garnett Ford, with production divided between Jack Richardson and Paul Gross. The latter co-founded Phase One Studios in Toronto with Doug Hill and produced the first three Saga albums.

Everest developed a repertoire primarily written by McDonald, with Reid and MacLellan sharing credits on “Streetwise” and “I Don’t Know.” The quartet secured a CBS Records Canada deal in early 1984 and entered Phase One Studios for February–March sessions with Gross and engineer Mick Walsh for the self-titled Epic debut.

Discography:

• Everest (1984)
• One Step Away (1995, recorded 1985)

References and notes

• Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia — Everest. Establishes the late-1970s formation, Toronto origins, original quartet, and CBS signing. (Artist history)
• RPM — May 11, 1974. Contemporary report confirms Ric McDonald and Dave Dobko as new members of Abraham’s Children. (Archive, p. 11)
• Museum of Canadian Music — Abraham’s Children. Documents the original lineup, 1973 album, and subsequent personnel changes. (Band history)
• Garnett Ford — Postcard (1982). Maze album credits identify Don Gaze on guitar, Paul Gross and Jack Richardson as producers, and the Toronto studio locations. (Album credits)
• Toronto AES — Paul Gross. Documents the 1973 establishment of Phase One Studios with Doug Hill and the subsequent studio history. (Producer profile)
• RPM — March 24, 1984. Contemporary report confirms the CBS contract, four musicians, and album sessions nearing completion. (Archive, p. 3)
• Everest — Everest (1984). Original Epic credits establish the songwriting, February–March Phase One sessions, and Gross–Walsh production team. (LP credits)
• RPM — August 25, 1984. Confirms more than five years of prior band activity, the debut release, and the CBS convention engagement. (Archive, p. 9)