Original Caste
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Original Caste was a Canadian rock band. They were previously known as the North Country Singers before adding lead singer Dixie Lee Stone to their line-up and changing their name to Original Caste in 1966.[1] Their first two singles were not successful; their breakthrough hit was with the first recording of the song "One Tin Soldier", which was produced by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter who became the leaders of Dunhill Records. The tune was a hit in Canada and reached #34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970.[2]
The follow-up single. "Mr. Monday", was a big hit in Japan and Canada but not in the United States. Having amassed a large following in Japan, they toured there and recorded live albums, in addition to releasing several further Japanese singles. They released an album, One Tin Soldier, in 1970, In 1971 Bell Records released Live in Japan Vol. 1, Live in Japan Vol. 2, and The Original Caste, Greatest Hits. Dixie Lee Stone later recorded as a solo artist, and Innes and Stone (then married) released an album, Back Home, in the 1970s. Innes and Stone divorced in 1980; Bruce Innes continues to perform as a folk musician.
[edit] Members
Bruce Innes (guitar, vocals), Dixie Lee Stone (vocals), Bliss Mackie (guitar, vocals), Graham Bruce (bass, vocals) & Peter Brown (drums)
Joe Cavender replaced Peter Brown on drums in 1970
In 1972, Graham Bruce and Bliss Mackie were replaced by: Gary Carlson & Dennis Coats
In subsequent years the band included: Richard Harrow, Glenn Mundy, Julian Kerr and John Dunn. In all variations the group featured Bruce Innes and Dixie Lee Stone.
Bruce Innes continues to perform nationally with the Original Caste,now featuring Nashville based vocal superpower Jilla Web.
[edit] Popular Culture
Bruce Innes was briefly mentioned as a friend of Hunter S. Thompson's in his book Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (novel). In the text, Bruce phoned Hunter Thompson from Circus-Circus, a Las Vegas casino that he performed at, and told him that he had located the owner of an ape that Hunter wanted to purchase. Innes then persuaded Hunter not to buy the ape after it assaulted a patron of the bar and was arrested.
[edit] References
3. http://www.bruceinnes.com/
