The Martels

The Martels were a Canadian rock band formed in 1957 in Midland, Ontario, Canada. The band first emerged on the music scene when musicians Tom Ambeau (drums, guitar), Milt Budarick (bass guitar), Bert DesRochers (piano), Larry French (lead guitar, vocals) and Gary French (lead vocals, drums), formed The Corvettes. Rock and roll was becoming a powerful force on the music scene and The Corvettes became a part of that, playing concerts throughout Ontario.

The Martels
Also known asThe Corvettes
OriginMidland, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock
Years active1957 (1957)–1960s
1979–2015 (2015)
Associated actsBobby Curtola, Del Shannon
Past members
  • Tom Ambeau
  • Milt Budarick
  • Bert DesRochers
  • Larry French
  • Gary French
  • Madeleine French
  • Landon French
  • Russ Strathdee
  • Bill Chambers
  • Ken Rowland

The Corvettes would go on to become the backing band for Canada's first teen idol Bobby Curtola. Changing their name to Bobby Curtola & The Martells (the name change was required after an American band was recording under the same name. The name The Martell’s came from Curtola's manager, Maria Martell). In 1961, the band went on to record hits with Curtola such as "Indian Giver", "Hand in Hand with You", and "Fortune Teller". The band also toured across Canada with Curtola in one of Canada’s first rock n roll tours and backed up other with big stars of the day such as Del Shannon, Gordon Lightfoot, Linda Lane, Shirley Matthews and more.

The Martells disbanded in the late 1960s, but in 1979, the band reunited and continued playing together until retiring in 2015.

For their second incarnation, the band members also included Landon French on vocals, Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers, formerly of Canadian band Lisle, on guitar & vocals. Former radio DJ Ken Rowland served as the band's master of ceremonies and occasional percussionist until his death in 2008.

In 2007, The Martels released an album of rock and roll classics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their founding. In 2011 the Town of Midlandrecognized the band by naming The Martels Lane in their honour.

In August 2015, The Martels played the Kempenfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Barrie, Ontario for a record-breaking 25th straight year.

References
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