Kensington Market was a Toronto-based rock band, active from 1967 to 1969. Named after a downtown Toronto neighbourhood, it was formed by singer/songwriter and guitarist Keith McKie, formerly with The Vendettas, with guitarist and pianist Gene Martynec from Bobby Kris & The Imperials. The original line up was completed with former Vendettas' bass playerAlex Darou and drummer Jimmy Watson. Former Luke & The Apostles frontman, singer/songwriter Luke Gibson was added later in 1967, and synthesizer player John Mills-Cockell was a member in 1969.
History
Brought together around May 1967 by musical entrepreneur Bernie Finkelstein, the Market debuted at the Night Owl on June 4 and performed initially in Toronto coffeehouses such as the Red Gas Room, and high schools. In mid-August, after the dissolution of Luke & The Apostles, the Market recruited Luke Gibson by which time they had already released two singles for Stone Records. These singles achieved minimal success but Finkelstein was able to sign them to Warner Brothers in New York City. In 1968, the Market did the soundtrack to the NFB film The Ernie Game. Later that year, they released the albumAvenue Road, produced by Felix Pappalardi, followed by a tour of the United States. In 1969, keyboardist John Mills-Cockell joined, and their follow-up, Aardvark, was released, once again produced by Pappalardi, followed by their second US tour. However, this wasn't done in enough time to save the splintering band who split that same year.
Demise of the Market
Although it was short lived and did not enjoy great commercial success, Kensington Market was one of the first Canadian rock bands to develop a style – texturally complex, lyrically eloquent – independent of US and British models. Its LPs did not capture the exuberant, improvisatory nature of its live performances. Darou died in the early 1970s. Watson retired from the world of music. Finkelstein founded True North Records. John Mills-Cockell went on to record with synth-prog band Syrinx before trying his own solo career – both projects were on Finkelstein's True North Records. Pappalardi died on April 17, 1983 from a gunshot to the neck. Martynec subsequently worked in Toronto studios, while Gibson and McKie have had minor and intermittent solo careers. Gibson made the LP Another Perfect Day in 1971 and McKie released Rumors at the newsstand in 1981.
Warner Bros. Records CD reissue Pacemaker 2008 Original issue peaked at #39 on the RPM Canadian album charts in 1968. Track listing Side A: 1. I Would Be The One 2. Speaking Of Dreams 3. Colour Her Sunshine 4. Phoebe 5. Aunt Violet's Knee Track listing Side B: 1. Coming Home Soon 2. Presenting Myself Lightly 3. Looking Glass 4. Beatrice 5. Girl Is Young Aardvark
