Another passing: Terry Black at 60

Back in the British Invasion days a young Vancouver singer took the city by storm. His name was Terry Black and he was discovered by Buddy Clyde on CHAN-TV’s teen show Dance Party. Through some connections, Buddy was able to get the attention of Lou Adler from Dunhill Records, the same label that the Mamas and Papas recorded for. In 1964 Terry charted the hit Unless You Care and it became a major hit  in the U.S. and Canada making him one of the few artists from this  city to ever appear on the Billboard charts:

He followed with a  few more moderate hits: covers of Sam Cooke’s Only 16 and Russ  Hamilton’s Rainbow. Terry married Laurel Ward and the two had a hit titled Goin’ Down (On the Road to L.A.) which charted, but should have been a much bigger hit. I know it is one of the most requested songs that I get from listeners:

He and Laurel joined Dr. Music and recorded a few hits over the years. Terry was a most sincere, humble guy who had the pipes to sing but not the management to make it  happen. Like so many of the hitmakers of the Sixties, he was lost in the avalanche of folk songs and psychedelic music. He continued to perform until recently.  He made his mark but has  not received the recognition his talent so richly deserves. I will miss Terry Black’s music but mostly his humanity.

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