S"Quires

The S’quires were a trailblazing rock band from Calgary, Alberta, and a key force in the city’s burgeoning music scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Originally formed in 1958 as The Esquires, the group emerged at a time when rock ’n’ roll was just beginning to find a foothold in Western Canada. Drummer Greg Thomas, guitarist Nes Davison, bassist Alf Cook, guitarist Mark Hornby, and guitarist Roy Wilcox formed the original lineup, united by a shared passion for instrumental rock and the raw energy of early rock music. The Esquires made their recording debut in 1962 with the instrumental single “Melody of the Woods” b/w “Electrocution” on Toronto-based Barry Records (B-3125X). The single received local airplay and helped establish the band’s reputation as a standout act in Calgary’s modest but growing music scene, performing regularly at community halls, sock hops, and school dances. However, when the band’s success began to grow, so did legal complications. After a lawsuit from Capitol Records over the use of the name “Esquires” — already claimed by a well-known Ottawa band — the Calgary group rebranded themselves as The S’Quires to avoid f... more...