The Esquires were the very first Canadian pop group to be signed by Paul White at Capitol Records Of Canada in the summer of 1963. Their very first single "Atlantis" (Capitol 72126) was issued in Canada on Monday, September 23rd, 1963, just one week after The Beatles' "She Loves You" (Capitol 72125).

The Esquires were heavily influenced by Cliff Richard And The Shadows, and lead guitarist Gary Comeau could cover Hank Marvin's guitar licks note for note, and Atlantis was a truly great cover. The group would develop their own unique sound through 1966. They issued one great album on Capitol and a string of great singles.

Capitol prepared a special in-store poster to promote their new LP in August 1964. The poster measures 10 inches high and 13 inches wide.

The photo of the band was taken in the summer of 1964 at the Gray Rocks Inn at Saint-Jovite in the Laurentians. Pictured from left to right are Paul Huot (guitar), Ricky Patterson (drums), Don Norman (vocals), Gary Comeau (lead guitar), and Client Hierlihy (bass).

The image of the colour poster appears here by courtesy of Paul White.

The colour video for Man From Adano by The Esquires. This was probably the very first rock video ever made in Canada and was filmed in late 1963. (Gary Comeau collection).

Esquires article update May 2013

It must be noted that the very first incarnation of the Juno Award in Canada was called the Gold Leaf Award, and these awards were first handed out by RPM Music Weekly magazine in late 1964.

The Esquires won the first Gold Leaf Award in late 1964 as the "Top Vocal Instrumental Group" of the year. The award was for the Capitol 45 "So Many Other Boys". The award and the photo seen below appear by courtesy of Gary Comeau. The Esquires beat out the an early incarnation of The Guess Who from Winnipeg (Chad Allen & The Expressions) that year.

According to The Esquires' Gary Comeau, "we were the first band to win a major award (Gold Leaf Award, the first "Juno"), and we were the first to create a music video in Canada". (see video above)

Above - The Esquires receive the very first Gold Leaf Award (Juno Award) from Walt Grealis (second right) in late 1964 (RPM Music Weekly).

Paul White also received a Gold Leaf award in that same year for "Top National Record Promoter".

The Esquires Discography

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72126	The Esquires / Bob Harrington	Atlantis / I’ve Lost My Little Girl
1963
72137	The Esquires / Bob Harrington	Man From Adano / Gee Whiz, It’s You
1963
72193	The Esquires	So Many Other Boys / Oldest Story
December 1964
72219	The Esquires	Cry Is All I Do / We’ve Got A Future
1965
72277	The Esquires	Love’s Made A Fool Of You / Summertime
1965
T-6075	The Esquires	Introducing The Esquires
Sleeve date: August 1964 / EMI Vault date: August 10, 1964