John Aleksa's Recollections: George Olliver and The Mandala
By: John Aleksa
Date:
Monday May 24, 2004
See Follow-up Question, below
My first encounter with the band was a little different than yours [Erick's]. I first saw the Rogues during their early years at the Blue Note. (George was the keyboard player / singer)
It was at this small club that George agreed to front the band and left the keyboard work to Joey. Shortly after, the group left the Blue Note to perform one-nighters in the Toronto area. For awhile George was sharing the stage with David Clayton Thomas - an arrangement that didn't last too long.
About the same time the group entered into a management agreement with Rafael Markowitz who was a great promoter and in my opinion was instrumental in creating the Soul Crusade. (Rafael was a local TV personality and produced a number of TV Shows including a childrens' show called "Frightenstein" featuring Billy Van and Vincent Price). There was a name change due to a conflict with a US band calling themselves the Rogues.
The Soul Crusade
of The Mandala evolved - leaving audiences in awe wherever they played.
My impression of the Mandala? The best band I have ever seen!!
The demos were recorded in '72 / '73 and according to some the best work George
has ever done. There were two releases also - I May
Never Get To See You Again and a remake of Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You.
All compositions were written and arranged by George. (Funk/Rock)
Band Members:
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Drums: Mike Sloski (Graham Lear also played with George in the mid 70s. Gino Vinelli recruited him and than went onto join Santana. Currently works with Paul Anka)
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Guitar: Joey Miquelon (Night Moves with Bob Seger)
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Keyboard: Don Harris (From the Bay area originally. I believe he worked with Quicksilver Messengers?)
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Sound Engineer: Graham Green (nominated for an academy award for his role in Dances With Wolves)
I was working in Detroit when George called and agreed to move back home to join his new group. I was with him [as bass player] from '71 to '74.
Follow-up Question from Steve Waller
Dec 6, 2002
I am not sure whether I saw you with George. What was the band called while you were with it? I have very strong memories of the line up just before you (I think), called simply "George Olliver and Friends". They used to play 5 and 6-nighters in my hometown Oakville, at a bar called "The County Club". As I recall, the guitarist's name was Wade; the drummer was Don from northern Ontario (a really good drummer); the organ player was a little guy who looked crazed while he played and was really good; and the star of the band (next to George) was an awesome bass player who had previously played with Wayne Cochrane. For some reason, my strongest memory of that band was its cover version of Edgar Winter's haunting "Entrance". I thought it was a George original until years later when I found the Winter album. Did you play that one as well?
Reply from John
Dec 7, 2002
It was me who you saw with George during those early years. The band was simply called George Olliver and Friends. The County Club was a regular stop for us.
Band members included Barry Hutt on the Hammond B3, Wade Brown on guitar, Don Gibbons on drums. I played bass.
Demos recorded at Toronto Sound included the members listed above with exception of Wade. He was replaced by Jake Thomas. (Porkchop was not recorded) Demos recorded at Manta included: Mike Sloski on Drums, Joey Miquelon on guitar (Joey Roberts) Don Harris on keys and I played bass.
PS Yes I performed Edgar Winter's tune with George. You may have also seen Dexter Drake on guitar (ex Bobby Washington and the Soul Society) Dexter was only with the group for about 6 months.